SUV Closure Drives Federal Policy Shift, 2026 Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur Programs Enter Golden Window

lynn jin
Dec 24, 2025
4 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

SUV Closure Drives Federal Policy Shift: 2026 Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur Programs Enter Golden Window

Date: December 20, 2025

The Federal Start-Up Visa (SUV) program closes on December 31st. Nova Scotia introduces an EOI selection, and Ontario plans to launch a new entrepreneur category in 2026. Provincial nominee investment immigration enters a golden window period. How can you seize this opportunity?

Policy Background

On December 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially announced that starting December 31, 2025, it will formally stop accepting new Start-Up Visa (SUV) applications. They also committed to launching a brand new entrepreneur pilot program in 2026. This major policy shift marks a new phase in Canada's federal entrepreneur immigration strategy. It creates unprecedented opportunities for Provincial Nominee Program Entrepreneur Streams (PNP Entrepreneur Stream).

Why is 2026 the Opportunity Year for Investment Immigration?

1. Federal Policy Frees Up Quota Space

After the SUV stops accepting new applications, IRCC will focus on processing backlogged cases. This will clear out a large number of entrepreneur immigration quotas. These quotas will inevitably tilt towards provincial nominee programs. This shift gives provinces greater autonomy and more quota allocations.

2. Provincial Entrepreneur Programs Actively Reform

Ontario, Nova Scotia, and other provinces are actively launching brand new entrepreneur categories. They emphasize "actual operations" and "business succession," making them more friendly to applicants who genuinely want to start businesses or acquire local enterprises.

3. Transition Period Before 2026 New Policy Implementation

The federal new entrepreneur pilot program is expected to launch in 2026. During the transition period between old and new policies, competition pressure in provincial nominee channels is relatively low. This makes it the best time for early positioning.

Policy Details: Federal SUV Start-Up Visa Officially Closes

According to IRCC's official announcement on December 19, 2025 (official link):

Stop accepting new applications: December 31, 2025, 23:59 (Eastern Time)
Already submitted applications: Continue normal processing, unaffected
Future plans: Launch new entrepreneur pilot program in 2026, specific details to be announced
Policy objective: Clear backlogged cases and optimize the entrepreneur immigration approval process

The signal released by the SUV closure is very clear: Federal entrepreneur immigration policy is transitioning from the "designated organization endorsement model" to a more flexible model that is closer to actual needs. During this policy vacuum period, provincial nominee entrepreneur programs naturally become the best choice for investment immigration.

Provincial Nominee Opportunities: Ontario to Launch New Entrepreneur Category in 2026

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) launched public consultation in early December 2025 (consultation link). They plan to officially launch a brand new entrepreneur category in 2026.

Core Highlights of Ontario's New Entrepreneur Category

Emphasizing business succession: This encourages the acquisition or takeover of existing Ontario businesses, helping local business inheritance.
Actual operations-oriented: Applicants must establish or acquire businesses in Ontario and actively operate them, eliminating "nominal investment."
Clear investment requirements: Specific investment amounts and job creation indicators will be officially announced in 2026.
Optimized approval cycle: The new category promises to simplify processes and shorten approval times.

Ontario, as Canada's economic center, has abundant enterprise resources and a mature business environment. The launch of the new entrepreneur category will attract many investors with genuine entrepreneurial intentions. For applicants planning to invest in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or cities like Ottawa, 2026 will be a critical year.

Nova Scotia (NS) Investment Immigration Heats Up, Introduces EOI Selection Mechanism

The Nova Scotia Immigration Office's official website (official link) updated on November 28, 2025. It shows that NS entrepreneur immigration application volume far exceeds processing capacity. All entrepreneur applications have now entered the EOI (Expression of Interest) candidate pool, awaiting selection.

NS Entrepreneur Immigration Basic Requirements

Net Asset Requirements

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM): CAD $600,000
Other NS regions: CAD $400,000

Investment Amount Requirements

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM): CAD $150,000
Other NS regions: CAD $100,000

Why is NS So Popular?

The investment threshold is relatively low, suitable for small and medium-sized business owners.
Living costs are lower than in Ontario and BC, providing high cost-effectiveness.
The provincial government strongly supports new immigrant entrepreneurship, creating a friendly business environment.
Proximity to the Atlantic offers quality education and healthcare resources.

Important Reminder: NS entrepreneur immigration is currently highly competitive, with EOI selection scores gradually increasing. I recommend that interested applicants prepare materials early and enhance EOI scoring competitiveness, including language scores, business plan feasibility, industry experience, and more.

Action Recommendations for Investors

1. Immediately Lock Target Province and Program

Based on your asset status, industry background, and lifestyle preferences, choose the most suitable entrepreneur program among NS, Ontario, BC, and other provinces. New provincial policies will be rolled out successively in 2026, and early positioning can secure a first-mover advantage.

2. Prepare a Comprehensive Business Plan

Provincial nominee entrepreneur programs highly value "genuine entrepreneurial intention" and "business feasibility." A high-quality business plan is key to success. This should include market research, financial projections, operational plans, and more.

3. Enhance Language and Comprehensive Scoring

Provinces like NS use EOI selection mechanisms. English or French scores (CLB 5+), industry experience, and investment amounts all affect scoring. I recommend preparing for language tests in advance to enhance competitiveness.

4. Follow 2026 Provincial New Policy Details

Ontario's new entrepreneur category and federal new pilot programs will announce specific details successively in 2026. I recommend closely following official announcements and seizing the application window during the policy dividend period.

Summary

The SUV closure marks the beginning of a new cycle in Canadian entrepreneur immigration policy. 2026 will be the "golden window period" for provincial nominee entrepreneur programs. NS's EOI selection, Ontario's new entrepreneur category, and reform measures to be launched by other provinces all provide rare opportunities for investors genuinely willing to start businesses or acquire enterprises in Canada.

For more information, please contact L.J. Immigration Consulting.

Disclaimer

The content of this article is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration policies may change at any time. Please refer to the latest official announcements.

Data Sources:

IRCC Website - SUV Closure Announcement: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/immigration-measures-entrepreneurs.html
Ontario Government Regulatory Registry - OINP Reform Consultation: https://www.regulatoryregistry.gov.on.ca/proposal/52773
NS Immigration Office Website - Entrepreneur Immigration: https://liveinnovascotia.com/nova-scotia-nominee-program

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