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Startup Visa Program Timeline

JDI

Star Member
Jan 1, 2025
50
8
Greeting Folks,
i saw in this forum some note that " Peer review has been terminated in Aug 2024 and IRCC officers will solely be responsible for reviewing business idea or progress" what is the impact of this change pros/cons?
moreover, does anyone have any progress since beginning of 2025?
what is the impact of early election 28th April 2025 on the SUV file processing time speed?

cheers
 
Last edited:

Ansionuk

Hero Member
Feb 11, 2022
282
109
  • You can get free in-person and onlineservices, if:
    • we approved your permanent residence application
    • you’re currently outside Canada
to the bottom

Pre arrival service and PAL are not the same thing.

PAL means you can access Pre arrival service from outside Canada and settlement service within Canada. But PAL will be sent to all applicant passing eligibility, it is just a standard practice in the admin process.
 
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Ansionuk

Hero Member
Feb 11, 2022
282
109
Greeting Folks,
i saw in this forum some note that " Peer review has been terminated in Aug 2024 and IRCC officers will solely be responsible for reviewing business idea or progress" what is the impact of this change pros/cons?
moreover, does anyone have any progress since beginning of 2025?
what is the impact of early election 28th April 2025 on the SUV file processing time speed?

cheers
a lot of PFLs I suppose?
 
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SUVpr

Star Member
Jan 27, 2025
51
33
Greeting Folks,
i saw in this forum some note that " Peer review has been terminated in Aug 2024 and IRCC officers will solely be responsible for reviewing business idea or progress" what is the impact of this change pros/cons?
moreover, does anyone have any progress since beginning of 2025?
what is the impact of early election 28th April 2025 on the SUV file processing time speed?

cheers
Pros:

  1. Streamlined Process: With IRCC officers now solely responsible for reviewing the business ideas and progress, there might be a more streamlined process, reducing the complexity and waiting time associated with involving a third party (peer reviewers). This could make the process more direct and potentially faster for applicants.
  2. Consistency: IRCC officers may offer more consistent and standardized evaluations, as they will follow official guidelines and processes, leading to fewer subjective interpretations of business ideas compared to a peer review system that might vary from reviewer to reviewer.
  3. Clearer Accountability: Having one authority (IRCC) in charge means there is clear accountability for decisions. Applicants might find it easier to navigate the process, as they would be dealing with a single entity rather than multiple parties.
Cons:

  1. Potential Overload: IRCC officers will now have more responsibility. If there is a significant volume of SUV applications, this could lead to delays or slower processing times. Officers might be overloaded with the dual task of reviewing business ideas and managing other application aspects.
  2. Reduced Expertise in Specific Industries: Peer reviewers may have industry-specific expertise that could have been helpful in evaluating unique business ideas. IRCC officers, while experienced, might not have the same depth of sector-specific knowledge, which could result in a less nuanced evaluation of certain business ideas.
  3. Less Feedback for Applicants: Peer reviews often provided constructive feedback to applicants about their business plans or progress. Without this feedback, applicants may be left with fewer opportunities for improving or refining their business proposals before IRCC makes a decision.

Impact of the Early Election on SUV Processing Times (April 28, 2025)

The impact of the early election on the processing times for the Start-Up Visa program could be significant, depending on how the election and any resultant government changes affect IRCC's operations:
  1. Potential Delays: Elections can lead to temporary disruptions in government operations, as departments may need to focus on election preparations, transitions, and policies. During this period, some services (including immigration processing) could face delays, especially if there is a change in government priorities or a shift in immigration policy.
  2. Governmental Priorities Shift: Depending on the results of the election, the incoming government might change the focus or structure of certain programs, which could either speed up or slow down processing times for specific applications like the SUV program. If immigration is a priority for the new government, there might be additional resources allocated to expedite processing.
  3. Possible Policy Adjustments: Election outcomes could lead to the introduction of new policies or adjustments to existing ones. This could have an immediate impact on processing times, particularly if any major changes are made to the Start-Up Visa program.
 
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olavomello

Newbie
Aug 7, 2024
7
0
Nothing. The process has been incredibly slow.
In my case

Ago/22 - PR Application Submitted
Mar/24 - AOR received
Mar/24 - Update request
Mar/24 - Medical
...

Zero updates and/or requests until then.
31 months of waiting!

Greeting Folks,
i saw in this forum some note that " Peer review has been terminated in Aug 2024 and IRCC officers will solely be responsible for reviewing business idea or progress" what is the impact of this change pros/cons?
moreover, does anyone have any progress since beginning of 2025?
what is the impact of early election 28th April 2025 on the SUV file processing time speed?

cheers
 
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JDI

Star Member
Jan 1, 2025
50
8
Nothing. The process has been incredibly slow.
In my case

Ago/22 - PR Application Submitted
Mar/24 - AOR received
Mar/24 - Update request
Mar/24 - Medical
...

Zero updates and/or requests until then.
31 months of waiting!
Submission was in Mrach 2022
updates Mrach 2023
Medical Dec. 2023

No further updates - waiting 36 Months :confused:
 
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SUVpr

Star Member
Jan 27, 2025
51
33
Nothing. The process has been incredibly slow.
In my case

Ago/22 - PR Application Submitted
Mar/24 - AOR received
Mar/24 - Update request
Mar/24 - Medical
...

Zero updates and/or requests until then.
31 months of waiting!
Is your DO priority?
 

M3024M

Full Member
Jan 14, 2025
24
12
you need a person in Canada the price for this service is 5 CAD
It seems it's ok to order the GCMS notes from outside Canada; I got my notes last week

Order GCMS Notes for free; follow these steps:*

https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/privacyTerms.do?requestflow=ircc

Click above and scroll to where you can click agree and continue

From the next page, acknowledge and continue

The next page is where u see application/personal information

You'd see where to acknowledge and then fill the form accordingly

Under "category that best describes you," select "member of the public."

You will be asked, "Are you requesting for yourself?" Select yes.

If you are outside Canada, select "foreign national outside of Canada."

Attach the data page of your passport (compulsory for principal applicant)and / or consent form of dependants (not compulsory).

Some information of dependants may be withheld for privacy reasons if you failed to attach duly signed consent form. (Note that this is not compulsory)

Your gcms note will likely be sent to the email provided within 30 days.

Best of Luck
 
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SUVpr

Star Member
Jan 27, 2025
51
33
Unfortunately not!
Ah! that seems to explain the delay!

Starting 29th April 2024, To improve the Start-up Visa Program, we will encourage designated venture capital firms, angel investor groups and business incubators to focus on the most promising proposals by
  • providing priority processing for entrepreneurs whose start-up is supported by Canadian capital or by a business incubator that is a member of Canada’s Tech Network, including applications in the inventory and new applications as they are submitted.

    If your start-up isn't prioritized under the specific criteria mentioned—like being supported by Canadian capital or a business incubator within Canada’s Tech Network—your application or process might not receive the same expedited or special treatment.
    However, it doesn't necessarily mean you won't be considered. Your application would likely follow the standard processing procedures, which might take longer compared to priority applications. You could expect your application to take a bit longer than usual!
 
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Fiat@fifo

Star Member
Nov 5, 2024
74
34
Ah! that seems to explain the delay!

Starting 29th April 2024, To improve the Start-up Visa Program, we will encourage designated venture capital firms, angel investor groups and business incubators to focus on the most promising proposals by
  • providing priority processing for entrepreneurs whose start-up is supported by Canadian capital or by a business incubator that is a member of Canada’s Tech Network, including applications in the inventory and new applications as they are submitted.

    If your start-up isn't prioritized under the specific criteria mentioned—like being supported by Canadian capital or a business incubator within Canada’s Tech Network—your application or process might not receive the same expedited or special treatment.
    However, it doesn't necessarily mean you won't be considered. Your application would likely follow the standard processing procedures, which might take longer compared to priority applications. You could expect your application to take a bit longer than usual!
I understand that the Start-up Visa Program is prioritizing applications supported by Canadian capital or business incubators within Canada’s Tech Network. Our start-up meets these criteria, yet we have been waiting for 44 months, which seems unusually long for a priority application. Many other teams in this forum have reported even longer wait times.

What is the expected waiting time for non-prioritized applications? How long should they wait?
 
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MostafaDot.ir

Full Member
Oct 26, 2024
39
18
I understand that the Start-up Visa Program is prioritizing applications supported by Canadian capital or business incubators within Canada’s Tech Network. Our start-up meets these criteria, yet we have been waiting for 44 months, which seems unusually long for a priority application. Many other teams in this forum have reported even longer wait times.

What is the expected waiting time for non-prioritized applications? How long should they wait?


HI
To get the right answer, the best thing to do is to request a Note Officer in the first step.
 
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