Meeting the New Standard: What IRCC Now Expects from SUV Applicants

As a licensed immigration consultant, I’ve observed a clear shift in how IRCC evaluates Start-Up Visa (SUV) applications. The bar has risen—and significantly. It’s no longer enough to have a good idea or a promising pitch. Officers now demand to see real, tangible evidence that SUV ventures are active Canadian businesses with traction, progress, and a credible plan to scale.

What’s Changing?

Over the past several months, we’ve seen applications refused where business progress was difficult to verify or where companies had not taken meaningful steps forward. IRCC now expects clear proof of development, operations, and commitment from essential founders. That includes:

1. Formal Canadian Presence

• Properly incorporated entity (federal or provincial)

• Active Canadian business bank account

• Founders engaging directly in the business in Canada, supported by work permits

• Participation in recognized accelerators, competitions, or associations

2. Market Visibility

• A live website or product landing page

• Public updates such as press releases or social media posts

3. Product & Traction

• Demonstrable MVP development, ideally with Canadian-based teams or partners

• User testing, feedback data, and beta users

• Letters of Intent or pilot agreements with potential customers or partners

4. Documentation

• Well-organized progress reports and metrics, formatted to meet IRCC’s review standards

Why It Matters

For SUV teams, understanding and adapting to these evolving expectations is not optional—it’s essential. A strong business case with verifiable activity in Canada significantly increases the likelihood of success, both in securing a Letter of Support and ultimately in achieving permanent residence.

How We Help

At Amiron, we’ve already adapted our process to match these new realities. We’re enhancing our product development support, tightening reporting standards, and guiding founders through the exact steps needed to demonstrate serious business commitment. For teams that have delayed MVP development or are unsure about next steps, we can provide detailed roadmaps tailored to IRCC’s updated criteria.

Final Thought

Whether you’re working with Amiron or another Designated Organization, the message is clear: build, launch, validate. A well-developed MVP and real customer traction are no longer extras—they are expectations.

If you have questions about how to align your application with these new standards, we’re here to help.