Canada is pausing all peer reviews in the Start-up Visa Program. Canada’s Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada (outside Quebec) that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians, and can compete on a global scale.

Effective August 1, 2024, all peer reviews have been paused until further notice. No new peer review requests are accepted, and all ongoing peer reviews must be cancelled.

You can apply for the Start-up Visa Program as an individual or as part of a group of up to 5 owners.

To apply for the Start-up Visa Program, you must pitch your qualifying start-up to a designated organization and get their support. If you already applied for permanent residence through the Start-Up Visa Program, you might be able to work in Canada while you wait if you show that your business will provide a significant economic benefit to Canada.

A peer review is an independent assessment of a commitment by a panel of experts convened by the industry association that represents the lead designated entity on the commitment certificate. The peer review process was designed to protect against fraud and to ensure that designated entities’ and applicants’ activities are in line with industry standards.

An officer may request a peer review if it assists in the application process or to complete a quality assurance exercise.

Processing officers must ensure that client-specific information is redacted from the peer review process before it is submitted to the relevant industry association. From all the documents that will be submitted for a peer review (that is, commitment certificates, term sheets, peer review request forms, etc.), officers must redact the applicant’s date of birth, country of birth, addresses.

Officers are not required to disclose the identity of peer review panellists to the designated entity or the applicants under any circumstances.

Start-up visa processing

If after assessing the application, the officer is satisfied that a positive final decision could be made, the officer should finalize the application.

If the processing officer is not satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements of the Start-Up Visa Program, the officer must document their concerns and the reasons why they are not satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements of the program.

If an officer has concerns regarding the requirements of the start-up visa application, they should schedule an interview or send the start-up visa applicant a procedural fairness letter advising them of their concerns.

If the incomplete peer review was considered as a factor to refuse when the officer was making their decision, a summary of its contents must be disclosed to the applicant to meet procedural fairness obligations. The officer should take into account the information and new documentation provided by the applicant following the procedural fairness letter or at the interview. The application should then be finalized based on the officer’s assessment of the complete file.

But, now effective August 1, 2024, all peer reviews will be paused until further notice by IRCC. No new peer review requests will be accepted, and all ongoing peer reviews must be cancelled.