Immigration Canada announced today (April 29) two new rules, which will completely suspend the acceptance of applications for the self-employed immigration program and reform the entrepreneurial immigration, effective April 30
Canada's Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, announced several changes to Canada's Federal Business Plan on Monday to help reduce processing times and application backlogs.
The first new rule is related to the Start-up Visa, and from 30 April, the Department of Immigration will change the application process for the Start-up Visa to focus on:
1. Limit the number of applications for permanent residence, and the Department of Immigration will process no more than 10 start-ups per designated organization per year.
2. Start-ups supported by Canadian Capital or Canadian Technology Network member business incubators will be prioritized, including applications with overstocked inventory and newly submitted applications.
The Startup Program allows foreign nationals who own a start-up (or partial owner) to immigrate and settle permanently in Canada, provided that:
1. Have a qualified enterprise;
2. Obtain a letter of support from the designated organization;
3. Meet the language requirements;
4. Have enough money to settle in Canada.
第二项新规是叫停自雇移民（SelfEmployed Persons Program）。
Secretary Miller also announced a full suspension of applications for the Self-Employed Immigration Program as of April 30, 2024, focusing on the processing of inventory applications.
The Self-Employed Immigration Program provides a pathway to permanent residence for individuals with extensive experience in fields such as arts, culture, entertainment, or sports, contributing to Canada's cultural vibrancy.
However, due to the large number of applications submitted under the program, the processing time has taken more than four years, so the Department of Immigration has completely suspended the acceptance of applications.
During the pause, the Department of Immigration will continue to complete the backlog of applications while evaluating options to reform the program and ensure its integrity.
Both start-up immigration and self-employment programs fall under the "Federal Business" category of the immigration level program, which will increase the quota for newcomers from 5,000 to 6,000 starting in 2025.
"Expedited processing of applications is critical to the success of entrepreneurs coming to Canada through the Federal Business Plan," said the Minister of Immigration. These necessary new regulations will result in faster processing times, and we look forward to further reforms to make these programs more sustainable and effective in the long run. ”
The third new rule is the off-campus working hours of international students.
The Minister of Immigration said international students will be able to work off-campus for up to 24 hours a week from September.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Liberal Party has temporarily lifted the 20-hour work week limit for international students in an effort to alleviate labor shortages.
In an effort to alleviate labor shortages, the Liberals have temporarily lifted the 20-hour work week limit for international students.
This waiver expires tomorrow.
The working hour limit will revert to 20 hours per week, but the government will soon be able to implement permanent changes to increase it to 24 hours.
During the summer and winter holidays, there is no limit to the number of hours international students can work during school breaks.
The Canadian Press Agency reported earlier this year that officials in the Miller division warned the government in 2022 that the temporary waiver could distract students from their studies and also affect the goals of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
"By looking at the best practices and policies of other like-minded countries, we found that most countries have limits on the number of hours international students can work. Canada's regulations need to be aligned with that, otherwise we'll find that our programs are attracting more and more applicants whose primary purpose is to work rather than study," Miller said.
"Make it clear that international students come to Canada to study, not to work. ”
New work restrictions were introduced as the federal government curbed a nationwide surge in international student enrollment.
Critics warn that allowing international students to work full-time could turn study permits into unofficial work visas, which would undermine its purpose.
Miller said the Department of Immigration eventually set the working hour limit at 24 hours because it seemed "reasonable" and allowed students to work three full eight-hour shifts.
He also noted that work within the department shows that more than 80 per cent of international students currently work more than 20 hours per week.
There is no limit to the number of hours international students can work during the time they are not attending classes, such as in the summer.
The Canadian Press reported earlier this year that officials in the Miller division warned the government in 2022 that the temporary waiver could distract students and affect the goals of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Miller had previously floated the idea of a permanent 30-hour workweek limit. However, on Monday, the immigration minister said it would be close to full-time working hours.
"We also know that when a student works about 30 hours a week, it has a substantial impact on the quality of learning. He said.