- Yasaman
October 12, 2025
Startup Visa
IRCC Audits and Surprise Calls – How to Be Ready
In recent months, a notable shift has been observed in IRCC’s post-approval monitoring of Startup Visa applicants and their consulting representatives.
In recent months, a notable shift has been observed in IRCC’s post-approval monitoring of Startup Visa applicants and their consulting representatives. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has significantly ramped up its efforts, resulting in a noticeable increase in both formal audits and direct, unannounced phone calls to individuals involved in the Startup Visa program. This heightened scrutiny reflects IRCC’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the program and to verifying the genuine intent and ongoing business activities of approved applicants.
These calls, often characterized by their sudden and unexpected nature, serve a critical purpose: to verify that founders are actively engaged in and genuinely pursuing the business ventures outlined in their initial commitment certificates and comprehensive business plans. IRCC officers are keen to ascertain several key aspects during these interactions. They are looking for clear evidence that essential team members are indeed actively involved and contributing meaningfully to the business's development. Furthermore, officers aim to confirm that the business is progressing in accordance with the promises made in the original submission. Finally, a crucial element of their inquiry is to ensure that all applicants remain fully aligned with the representations originally presented to the designated entity (e.g., venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator). Any discrepancies or perceived inconsistencies can raise significant red flags.
The Imperative of Proactive Preparation
The unequivocal key to successfully navigating this intensified scrutiny lies in meticulous and proactive preparation. Both Startup Visa applicants and their legal representatives or consultants must adopt a rigorous approach to compliance. It is absolutely essential to maintain readily accessible copies of all critical documents: the original commitment certificate, the detailed business plan, and any fairness letters issued by IRCC. These documents should not merely be stored; they must be regularly reviewed and thoroughly understood by all parties involved.
Beyond document management, collaborative teamwork is paramount. Startup Visa teams should schedule regular meetings well in advance of any potential IRCC contact. These sessions should serve as opportunities to ensure that every team member has a crystal-clear understanding of their individual roles, responsibilities, and the current progress of the business venture. As one of our seasoned panelists recently emphasized, the gravest error an applicant can make is to be caught off guard. When confronted with an unannounced call or audit, inaccurate, incomplete, or rushed answers given under duress can create significant inconsistencies. These discrepancies can, in turn, severely undermine the credibility of the applicant's case, potentially leading to adverse decisions even at the Federal Court stage. The long-term repercussions of ill-prepared responses can be far-reaching and detrimental.
A Clear Mandate for Immigration Professionals
For immigration professionals advising Startup Visa clients, the lesson from this evolving landscape is unequivocally clear: do not passively await contact from IRCC. A proactive and diligent approach is no longer merely advisable; it is absolutely critical for the success and well-being of their clients. This proactive stance should encompass several key strategies.
Firstly, implementing a system of regular check-ins is paramount. These check-ins should go beyond simple status updates, delving into the ongoing activities, challenges, and successes of the business. Secondly, conducting mock Q&A sessions with clients is an invaluable practice. These simulated interviews can help applicants become comfortable articulating their business progress, their roles, and their alignment with the original plan under pressure. This practice can significantly reduce anxiety and improve the quality of their responses during actual IRCC interactions.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there must be a consistent focus on documenting every relevant activity. Whether business activities are conducted within Canada or abroad, meticulous record-keeping is the best defense against scrutiny. This includes, but is not limited to, meeting minutes, communication logs, financial records, progress reports, and any other evidence that substantiates the ongoing development of the business. Applicants should be thoroughly educated on the critical importance of treating every update, every email exchange, and every phone conversation with IRCC as potential evidence that may be heavily relied upon in future decisions regarding their application or status. In this increasingly demanding and scrutinized environment, proactivity is not merely an option or a beneficial practice—it is an absolute necessity for survival and success within the Startup Visa program.
