IRCC has suspended Biomedical Commercialization Canada Inc. (Manitoba Innovates) from making Start‑Up Visa commitments from 2025‑12‑19 to 2026‑09‑19 and will pause processing of Start‑Up Visa permanent residence and linked work‑permit applications. Exceptions include in‑Canada work permit renewals for affected holders and cases with already‑approved PR or Letters of Introduction; reasons were not disclosed.
Soheil Hosseini
January 12, 2026
Jurisdiction
Federal
Week
Week 3
Impact
Moderate
Programs Affected
IRCC suspends Manitoba Innovates Start‑Up Visa commitments for nine months, pausing linked applications
Summary: IRCC has suspended Biomedical Commercialization Canada Inc. (operating as Manitoba Innovates) from making Start‑Up Visa commitments for nine months, effective 2025-12-19 to 2026-09-19, and will pause processing of applications supported by this organization, with limited exceptions.
Date of update: 2026-01-12 | Source: IRCC Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has suspended Biomedical Commercialization Canada Inc.’s ability to make Start‑Up Visa commitments under subsection 98.03(4) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. The suspension took effect on 2025-12-19 and will remain in place until 2026-09-19. The suspension applies to Biomedical Commercialization Canada Inc., which has operated as Manitoba Innovates since March 2025 and was previously known as Manitoba Technology Accelerator. IRCC stated it cannot share details about the reasons for the suspension at this time. Key processing changes during the suspension:
- Processing paused for all Start‑Up Visa permanent residence applications supported by this organization.
- Processing paused for Start‑Up Visa work permit applications linked to this organization, except IRCC will continue to process in‑Canada work permit renewals for affected applicants already holding this type of permit.
- If your permanent residence is already approved, or your work permit is approved and a Letter of Introduction issued, you may still travel to Canada.
- Applications not supported by this organization are unaffected. IRCC will resume processing affected files after the suspension ends, following standard instructions and subject to available admission spaces under the Government of Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan. Independent analysis and potential impacts:
- Negative: Delays and uncertainty for founders whose PR or work permit applications are tied to this organization; risk of longer backlogs and potential knock‑on effects on business timelines and funding.
- Positive: Reflects program integrity enforcement, which may strengthen confidence in the Start‑Up Visa framework over the long term.
- Practical considerations: Affected applicants may need to maintain valid status in Canada (where applicable) and monitor IRCC updates; travel remains possible for those with already‑approved PR or Letters of Introduction.
Programs affected: Start‑Up Visa, Work Permit
Tags: Canada immigration, IRCC, Start‑Up Visa Program, Manitoba Innovates, Biomedical Commercialization Canada Inc., Manitoba Technology Accelerator, processing suspension, work permits, program integrity, Immigration Levels Plan, Canada immigration 2026
Closing: IRCC has paused processing for applications tied to Manitoba Innovates until 2026-09-19 and will reassess thereafter. Further details on the reasons for the suspension have not been disclosed.
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