IRCC Suspends Manitoba Innovates (Biomedical Commercialization Canada Inc.)
February 12, 2026
Important 2026 Updates Overview
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued an important update affecting certain applicants under the Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program.
This update applies only to applicants whose permanent residence or work permit applications were supported by:
Biomedical Commercialization Canada Inc. O/A Manitoba Innovates, previously known as Manitoba Technology Accelerator.
What Happened?
IRCC has suspended the organization’s ability to issue commitments under subsection 98.03(4) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
Suspension Details:
- Effective: December 19, 2025
- Duration: 9 months
- Expected end date: September 19, 2026
During this suspension, IRCC will not process applications supported by this organization, with limited exceptions.
IRCC has stated that it cannot share the reasons for the suspension at this time.
How This Affects Applicants
If your Start-Up Visa application was supported by Biomedical Commercialization Canada Inc. (Manitoba Innovates), here’s what you need to know:
During the suspension period, processing of all Start-Up Visa permanent residence applications supported by this designated organization is paused. Work permit applications linked to the organization are also paused, unless the applicant is already in Canada, currently holds this type of Start-Up Visa work permit, and is applying for a renewal, in which case renewal applications will continue to be processed. If your permanent residence application has already been approved, or your work permit has been approved and a Letter of Introduction has been issued, you may still travel to Canada.
What Happens After the Suspension?
Once the 9-month suspension ends, IRCC will:
- Resume processing affected applications
- Follow regular processing instructions
- Consider available admission spaces under Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan
Key Takeaway
This is a temporary suspension of a designated organization, not a cancellation of the Start-Up Visa Program itself.
However, applicants supported by this specific accelerator should expect processing delays until at least September 19, 2026.
If you are unsure whether your application is affected, review your Letter of Support to confirm which designated organization endorsed your Start-Up Visa application.