In response to the growing processing times for immigration applications, the Canadian government announced a series of reform measures aimed at the Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed programs. These measures, which are set to take effect on April 30, 2024, aim to reduce backlogs and expedite the approval process, thus enhancing the efficiency of the immigration system and improving services for both newcomers and Canadian citizens.

Mark Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, noted that these adjustments are necessary modernizations of the current immigration system to ensure that Canada continues to attract global talent while maintaining a fair and efficient immigration approval process.

Under the new policy, the Start-Up Visa program will enhance its selectivity and efficiency through the following measures:

• Limiting the number of permanent residency applications processed annually to no more than ten per designated organization associated with startup enterprises.
• Providing priority processing for entrepreneurs supported by Canadian capital or a business incubator that is a member of Canada's Tech Network.

Additionally, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that, effective April 30, 2024, applications for the Self-Employed Persons Program will be entirely paused to concentrate resources on processing existing backlogs. This program primarily targets individuals with notable experience in arts, culture, sports, or other areas that contribute to Canada's cultural vitality.

According to the 2024-2026 Multi-Year Levels Plan, by limiting applications until the end of 2026 and planning to increase admissions for federal business categories, the IRCC aims to significantly reduce backlogs and shorten processing times. These measures are intended to maintain the integrity of the system while continuing to welcome talented, innovative, and entrepreneurial newcomers who contribute to Canada's economic growth.

As a vibrant multicultural nation, Canada has long been committed to attracting global talent. These reforms represent important steps in adapting to the rapidly changing global immigration trends while maintaining Canada's competitive edge internationally.

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