Immigrate To Canada As Self-Employed Person

​The Federal Self-employed Immigration Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as self-employed persons. Applicants must demonstrate that they have at least two years of Self-employed experience in cultural activities or athletics during the last five years, must show the intention and ability to create their own employment in Canada through cultural activities or athletics, and make a significant contribution to the specific economic activities.

ELIGIBILITY

To qualify as self-employed immigrants you must:

• Meet the definition of a self-employed person
• Have relevant experience
• Be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada
• Meet medical, security and other conditions
• Meet the program’s selection criteria and
• Get a minimum of 35 points on the following five selection criteria:

1. Experience (max 35)
2. Education (max 25)
3. Age (max 10)
4. Language abilities (max 24)
5. Adaptability (max 6)

Applicants and family members must pass medical examination and security background and must not be inadmissible to Canada.
Applicants must also have enough money to support themselves and family members after they get to Canada.

Relevant experience

Relevant experience for a self-employed person means at least two years of experience.
It must be during the period starting 5 years before the day you apply and ending on the day of the decision on your application.
You can get more points if you have 3, 4, or 5 years of experience.
At a minimum, your experience must be:

For cultural activities:
a) Two one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
b) Two one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
c) a combination of one year described in (a), and one year described in (b)

For athletics:
a) Two one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
b) Two one-year periods participating at a world class level in athletics, or
c) a combination of one year described in (a) above, and one year described in (b) above

Qualifying OCCUPATIONS for Self-Employed

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​If you are a self-employed person, it can be challenging to understand all the requirements of the Self-Employed Program. Book your eligibility assessment appointment, and we will answer any questions you have and provide all information so that you can make an informed decision on whether it's right for you.