In order to qualify as a self-employed person, you must:

• have 2 years of relevant experience;
• intend to become self-employed in Canada; and
• meet the selection criteria.

Other Requirements

You will be required to pass:

• a medical examination, as well as
• criminal and security checks.

You must also have the financial means to:

• settle in Canada (with your dependants if applicable), and
• finance the work you were selected for.

Note: Financial requirements differ with the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program.

Qualified self-employed persons must have relevant experience pertaining to at least one of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups:

• professional occupations in art and culture; and/or
• technical occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport.

Your experience will be deemed relevant if you have, for at least two years:

• participated in cultural or athletic activites at a world-class level; OR
• been a self-employed person in either the cultural or athletic industries.

Creative and Cultural Workers

Cultural activities include occupations within Canada’s creative and cultural industries. For example:

• the core creative industries include literature, music, performing arts, visual arts, etc;
• the core cultural industries include film, photography, museums, galleries, etc;
• the wider cultural industries include heritage services, publishing and print, TV and radio, etc; and
• the related industries include advertising, design, fashion, architecture, etc.

Sports and Recreation Workers

Relevant occupations in the athletics industry include:

• athletes,
• coaches,
• sports officials and referees, and
• recreational sports and fitness program leaders and instructors.

You may visit this site to view a full list of qualifying activities for self-employed persons.

First, you will obtain and complete the application package.

This can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website. It includes an instruction guide and document checklist designed to help you fill out the forms correctly. You must include all of the information, documents, signatures, and fees that are asked for. If your application is missing any required information, it will be returned to you without processing.

Next, you will pay your application fees.

In most cases, these fees include:

• application processing fees for yourself and anyone you have included;
• the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF);
• bio-metrics (collection of fingerprints and digital photo); and
• potential third-party fees (e.g. medical examination, police certificates, document translation, etc.).

Finally, you will submit your application.

You must send your application to the address provided in the instruction guide. It is highly recommended that you review your application in order to ensure that you have:

• answered all questions accurately;
• signed everywhere applicable;
• paid all of the required fees; and
• included all of the supporting documents.

Ramifications for Misrepresentation

It is important to note that if you are caught embellishing on or omitting any details, you will face consequences. In other words, if you misrepresent yourself by providing false information or leaving out crucial details:

• your application may be refused
• you may be found inadmissible; and
• you could be denied immigration to Canada for five years.

The selection grid is designed to determine whether you will be able to contribute to the economy once settled in Canada. The maximum score is 100 points. You will need to score a minimum of 35 selection points in order to pass. Your application will be reviewed and graded using a point system that assesses the following:

Age

A maximum of 10 selection points will be awarded based on your age at the time your application is received. Some examples include the following:

• If you are between the ages of 21 and 49, you will be awarded 10 selection points.
• If you are 16-years-old or younger, or 54-years-old and above, you will not be granted any selection points for age.

Educational Attainment

You may be awarded up to 25 selection points based on your level and duration of study. Some examples include the following:

• You will earn 25 selection points if you posses a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and 17+ years of full-time study.
• You will be awarded only 5 selection points if you have only earned a high school diploma.

Related Work Experience

You may be awarded up to 35 selection points based on the amount of experience you have gained over the past five years. Some examples include the following:

• If you have five years of relevant experience, you will be awarded 35 selection points.
• If you only have two years of related experience, you will be awarded 20 selection points.

Language Proficiency

English and French are the official languages in Canada. You can choose to complete either an English or French proficiency test. You may also opt to do both tests in order to increase your chance of approval. Up to 24 selection points may be awarded based on your ability to:

• Listen
• Speak
• Read
• Write

Adaptability

You may earn up to 6 selection points for adaptability based on factors that will ease your integration into Canada. Some examples include the following:

• 5 selection points will be awarded if you have worked or studied in Canada.
• 5 selection points will be awarded if you have a relative living in Canada that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

If your application is approved, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will issue you a permanent resident visa. This includes both your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your entry visa. You must have both with you upon arrival to Canada, as well as a valid passport and/or travel documents.

Additional Information

If you require more information regarding the Self-Employed Immigration Program, please complete our free online evaluation form here.