Effective August 1, 2024, Canada has paused all peer reviews in the Start-up Visa Program until further notice. No new peer review requests will be accepted, and all ongoing peer reviews must be cancelled.
The Start-up Visa Program is designed to attract immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to establish innovative businesses in Canada (outside Quebec), create jobs for Canadians, and compete globally. Applicants can apply individually or as part of a group of up to five owners.
To participate in the program, applicants must pitch their qualifying start-up to a designated organization and secure their support. If you have already applied for permanent residence through the Start-up Visa Program, you may be eligible to work in Canada while awaiting a decision, provided your business demonstrates significant economic benefit to Canada.
Peer reviews serve as independent assessments of commitment certificates by a panel of experts, convened by the industry association representing the lead designated entity. This process helps protect against fraud and ensures that both designated entities and applicants align with industry standards. Processing officers may request peer reviews to assist in application evaluation or for quality assurance.
During the peer review process, officers must redact client-specific information, such as date of birth, country of birth, and addresses, before submitting documents to the relevant industry association. The identity of peer review panellists remains confidential and is not disclosed to the designated entity or applicants.
If a processing officer is satisfied with the application, they will finalize it. However, if the officer has concerns about whether the applicant meets the Start-up Visa Program requirements, they must document these concerns and communicate them to the applicant through an interview or a procedural fairness letter.
Moving forward, due to the pause on peer reviews, processing will continue without this element. Applicants are encouraged to address any concerns promptly to avoid delays in processing.
