Canada Terminates Start-Up Visa Peer Review Process

Canada has unexpectedly halted the peer review process for the Start-Up Visa program.

An announcement on August 22 from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that “all peer reviews had been temporarily halted until further notice.” The pause was implemented “as of August 1”, according to the statement.

The notice stated that no new peer review requests would be accepted, and all ongoing peer reviews must be canceled.

IRCC officers will now have the sole responsibility of determining the validity of a Start-Up Visa application and the commitment from a designated entity.

There are concerns among stakeholders that the expertise of immigration officers in complex new businesses may lead to increased litigation in the SUV field.

What exactly is a peer review?

The peer review process aims to eliminate any fraudulent activities within the SUV program. The process aims to ensure that all activities are in line with required standards by convening a panel of industry experts to study an application and commitment by a designated entity.

Before the recent announcement, if there were any concerns over an application, an immigration officer would request a peer review. Additionally, it was utilized for quality assurance purposes.

The panel of experts would review the due diligence conducted by the designated entity and examine the terms of the commitment, including any fees imposed on applicants.

The panel will also assess if the agreement fulfills the requirements of the SUV program. This includes examining if the business will be incorporated in Canada, reviewing ownership details, evaluating the project’s viability, and determining if it has been accepted into a business incubator program.

The panel’s concerns would be forwarded to the officer and brought to the attention of the designated entity and applicant.

Why has the peer review process been paused?

It seems that IRCC has lost confidence in the peer review process, leading to a sudden termination in early August.

There could have been various reasons behind this occurrence, but it appears that officials uncovered certain abuses of the system, leading to its suspension in order to prevent any additional issues.

What implications does this have for the SUV program?

The SUV remains a popular choice for those seeking efficient transportation to Canada. Nevertheless, the suspension of peer reviews alters the process.

Now, when an officer has concerns about the validity of an application, they are solely responsible for determining its success. IRCC officers may not have expertise in such fields. In the past, the peer review system aimed to provide access to experts who would contribute to these decisions.

There is concern that this change may make the SUV vulnerable to legal action from individuals who were not selected through the peer review process.

The Future Of The SUV

Canada’s SUV market is experiencing steady growth. According to the most recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the country saw an additional 560 new permanent residents through the SUV in June, maintaining the same level as in May.

By the end of June, the number of foreign nationals who became new permanent residents in Canada reached 3,010. This represents a significant increase of 785.3% compared to the 340 newcomers in the first six months of 2023.

Based on the current rate of SUV immigration, Canada has the potential to welcome 6,020 immigrant entrepreneurs by the end of this year.

This program is rapidly gaining popularity in Canada, as it aims to attract talented entrepreneurs from all over the world.

The candidate eligibility requirements for the SUV are as follows:

• A business that meets the necessary requirements;
• A commitment certificate and letter of support from a designated entity were provided.
• You have enough unencumbered funds that are readily available and can be transferred to meet the settlement funding requirements.
• Fluency in either English or French is required, with a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark level of 5. However, it is often necessary to have a higher level of English proficiency in order to meet the due diligence requirements set by designated entities.

The Process

Months 1-5: Start-up Approval and Due Diligence Process

• The start-up concept is developed and approved during this phase.
• Immigration.ca can help you assemble your start-up team.
• The team members contribute their expertise to support the start-up individually, while also bringing together a wealth of essential experience and skill sets.
• The start-up is being showcased alongside Immigration.ca to a specific organization.
• This period is when the start-up goes through the process of due diligence.

Month 6-7: Last Letter of Support

• At Immigration.ca, we are here to assist you every step of the way in obtaining the Final Letter of Support.
• The Final Letter of Support is typically issued by the designated organization, often an Incubator, within the initial 6–7 months.

Month 8-30: Application for Permanent Residence and Early Entry Work Permit being processed.

• Once the Letter of Support is received, the application for Canadian Permanent Residence can be submitted.
• If necessary, the application for a Work Permit can also be submitted.
• Processing time for a work permit is typically around 6 months from submission.
• The processing time for Permanent Residence is approximately 22 months from submission.

ALSO, READ

• FIRSTLY, CANADA WORK VISA 2023: NO LMIA || VISA & ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED
• SECONDLY, BECOME A TEACHER IN CANADA | PERMANENT RESIDENCY | MOVE TO CANADA
• THIRDLY, LIST OF COUNTRIES WHERE UAE EXPATS CAN GET AN E-VISA
• MOREOVER, CANADA’S FAMILY CLASS AND SPOUSE WORK PERMITS ARE OPEN
• THEN, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• ALSO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• FURTHERMORE, CANADA’S FAMILY CLASS AND SPOUSE WORK PERMITS ARE OPEN
• ADDITIONALLY, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• MORE SO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• MOREOVER, CANADA’S FAMILY CLASS AND SPOUSE WORK PERMITS ARE OPEN
• MORE SO, JOBS OPPORTUNITIES IN NORWAY FOR FOREIGNERS 2023
• AFTERWARDS, PLASTIC FACTORY JOBS IN UK WITH SALARY BETWEEN £15 – £20 PER HOUR
• MOST IMPORTANTLY, FACTORY JOBS IN BELGIUM FOR FOREIGN 2023/24 ($18 – $23 PER HOUR)
• IN ADDITION, LATEST DRIVERS JOBS IN UK 2023/24 (£21.19 PER HOUR)
• THEN, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• ALSO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• FINALLY, THE BEST AND WORST COUNTRIES FOR SCHENGEN VISAS FOR TRAVELLERS REVEAL