Canada cancels intake for two economic immigration programs

Canada is scaling back two key immigration programs to tackle growing backlogs and ease public concerns over rapid population growth. The Start-Up Visa initiative, launched in 2013 to attract foreign entrepreneurs, will stop accepting new applications from January 2026. At the same time, the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots have been paused due to overwhelming demand and lengthy processing delays.

The Start-Up Visa program, which aimed to boost the economy by bringing in international entrepreneurs, has faced mounting pressure. As of August 2025, there were 17,919 permanent residence applications in the system, with an average wait time of 52 months. The government has now slashed the number of permanent residence spots available—from 5,000 in 2024 to just 1,000 in 2026 and 2027. New work permit applications under the program are also on hold, except for extensions for those already in Canada.

Meanwhile, the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots have been temporarily suspended. The 2025 intake was capped at around 5,200 applications, but high demand and long processing times led to the pause. Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the changes as part of a broader effort to reduce immigration levels and manage existing backlogs. Ottawa plans to replace the Start-Up Visa program with a new, more targeted pilot initiative. The shift aims to address the large inventory of pending applications while ensuring future intakes align with economic priorities.

The cuts to these programs mark a significant shift in Canada’s immigration policy. With fewer spots available and stricter intake controls, the government is prioritising backlog reduction and public concerns over rapid population growth. The transition to a new entrepreneur-focused pilot will determine how future applicants are selected and processed.