The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as self-employed
persons.
Note: The province of Quebec runs its own business immigration program. If you want to live in Quebec, visit
Quebec’s immigration website.
ELIGIBILITY
To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must:
have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics
be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada
be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada
meet the program’s selection criteria and
meet medical, security and other conditions
Relevant Experience
Definition
Your experience is relevant if you have:
taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or
been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics
Self-employed experience in cultural activities or athletics will capture those traditionally applying in this
category, for example, music teachers, painters, illustrators, film makers, freelance journalists, athletes,
team sport players. Beyond that, the category is intended to capture those people who work behind the scenes as
a self-employed person, for example, choreographers, set designers, coaches and trainers.
Participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics intends to capture performers. This
describes those who perform in the arts, and in the world of sport. “World class” identifies persons who are
known internationally. It also identifies persons who may not be known internationally but perform at the
highest levels in their discipline.
Duration
You must have at least two years of relevant experience. It must be during the period starting 5 years before
the day you apply and ending on the day Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes a decision on
your application. You can get more points if you have 3, 4, or 5 years of experience.
At a minimum, for cultural activities, your experience must be:
(a) 2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
(b) 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
(c) a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)
At a minimum, for athletics, your experience must be:
(a) 2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
(b) 2 one-year periods participating at a world class level in athletics, or
(c) a combination of a one-year period described in (a) above, and a one-year period described in (b) above
Intent and Ability to be Self-Employed in Canada
A self-employed applicant must demonstrate the intention and ability to create his/her own employment in
Canada through cultural activities, athletics or the purchase and management of a farm.
A person's financial assets may be a measure of intent and ability to establish economically in Canada.
There is no minimum investment level for a self-employed person. The capital required depends on the nature
of the work.
Applicants must have sufficient funds to create an employment opportunity for themselves and support
themselves and their family members. This includes the ability to be self-supporting until the
self-employment has been created.
A demonstrated ability to support themselves and their family through their talents could be a good
indicator of their ability to continue to do so in Canada.
Intention and Ability to Make a Significant Contribution to Specific Economic Activities
It is intended that the Self-Employed Persons Class enrich Canadian culture and sports. In other words, when
applicants meet the test of experience and there is a reasonable expectation they will be self-employed, the
test of significant contribution becomes relative. For example, a music teacher destined to a small town can
be considered significant at the local level. Likewise, a freelance journalist who contributes to a Canadian
publication will meet the test.
In the end, the definition of “significant contribution” is left to the discretion of the IRCC officer, but
is not intended to bar qualified self-employed persons who are applying in good faith.
SELECTION CRITERIA
IRCC assesses you on selection criteria that include your experience, education, age, language abilities, and
adaptability.
To qualify as a self-employed immigrant, you must:
Meet the definition of a self-employed person
Get a minimum of 35 points out of a maximum possible 100. Points grid is given below:
POINTS FOR EDUCATION
Maximum 25 points
Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
25 points
Two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
22 points
Three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
22 points
University degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
20 points
Two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
20 points
One-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
15 points
One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
15 points
One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
12 points
You completed high school
5 points
POINTS FOR EXPERIENCE: Relevant experience must have been obtained in the period that begins five years before you sign your application and ends when a decision is made.
maximum 35 points
Two years of relevant experience
20 points
Three years of relevant experience
25 points
Four years of relevant experience
30 points
Five years of relevant experience
35 points
POINTS FOR AGE: You will be awarded selection points based on your age at the time when the visa office receives your application.
maximum 10 points
16 or under; 54+
0 points
17 or 53
2 points
18 or 52
4 points
19 or 51
6 points
20 or 50
8 points
21 - 49
10 points
POINTS FOR LANGUAGE ABILITY: You’ll be given points based on your ability to listen, speak, read and write. You must include the results of an English or French language test taken your application. Test must have been taken from any of the designated language testing agencies within last 2 years.
Maximum 24 points
Level
Points (per ability)
IELTS Score (or equivalent in another designated test)
Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing
High
1st Language: 4
6.5 – 9.0
7.5 – 9.0
6.5 – 9.0
6.5 – 9.0
2nd Language: 2
Moderate
1st Language: 2
5.5 – 6.0
5.5 – 7.0
5.0 – 6.0
5.5 – 6.0
2nd Language: 2
Basic (max. points: 2)
1st Language: 1
4.0 – 5.0
4.5 – 5.0
3.5 – 4.5
4.0 – 5.0
2nd Language: 1
No
1st Language: 0
Less than 4.0
Less than 4.5
Less than 3.5
Less than 4.0
2nd Language: 0
POINTS FOR ADAPTABILITY
Maximum 6 points
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education
Secondary school (high school) diploma or less
0 points
One-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies
3 points
Two or three-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies
4 points
Master’s degree or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies
5 points
Previous work in Canada: You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has completed a minimum of one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit.
5 points
Previous study in Canada: You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a program of full-time study of at least two years’ duration at a post-secondary institution in Canada. You must have done this after you were 17 years old and with a valid study permit. There’s no need to have obtained a degree or diploma for these two years of study to earn these points.
5 points
Relatives in Canada: You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, have a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who is residing in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
5 points
As part of the immigration process, IRCC may ask to interview you. During the interview, a visa
officer will ask you to explain:
information that is unclear or inconsistent
shortcomings or gaps in the documents that you provide
If there’s a difference between your statement of your qualifications and the visa officer’s assessment, you
will be awarded points based on the officer’s decision.
MEDICAL, SECURITY CHECKS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
You and your family members must have a medical exam and get police certificates.
You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you get to Canada.
NEED HELP?
Get in Touch
for more information or for applying under Self-employed Persons Program.
The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as self-employed persons.
Note: The province of Quebec runs its own business immigration program. If you want to live in Quebec, visit Quebec’s immigration website.
ELIGIBILITY
To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must:
Relevant Experience
Definition
Your experience is relevant if you have:
Self-employed experience in cultural activities or athletics will capture those traditionally applying in this category, for example, music teachers, painters, illustrators, film makers, freelance journalists, athletes, team sport players. Beyond that, the category is intended to capture those people who work behind the scenes as a self-employed person, for example, choreographers, set designers, coaches and trainers.
Participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics intends to capture performers. This describes those who perform in the arts, and in the world of sport. “World class” identifies persons who are known internationally. It also identifies persons who may not be known internationally but perform at the highest levels in their discipline.
Duration
You must have at least two years of relevant experience. It must be during the period starting 5 years before the day you apply and ending on the day Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes a decision on your application. You can get more points if you have 3, 4, or 5 years of experience.
At a minimum, for cultural activities, your experience must be:
(a) 2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
(b) 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
(c) a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)
At a minimum, for athletics, your experience must be:
(a) 2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
(b) 2 one-year periods participating at a world class level in athletics, or
(c) a combination of a one-year period described in (a) above, and a one-year period described in (b) above
Intent and Ability to be Self-Employed in Canada
Intention and Ability to Make a Significant Contribution to Specific Economic Activities
SELECTION CRITERIA
IRCC assesses you on selection criteria that include your experience, education, age, language abilities, and adaptability.
To qualify as a self-employed immigrant, you must:
POINTS FOR EDUCATION
Maximum 25 points
Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
25 points
Two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
22 points
Three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
22 points
University degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
20 points
Two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
20 points
One-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
15 points
One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
15 points
One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
12 points
You completed high school
5 points
POINTS FOR EXPERIENCE: Relevant experience must have been obtained in the period that begins five years before you sign your application and ends when a decision is made.
maximum 35 points
Two years of relevant experience
20 points
Three years of relevant experience
25 points
Four years of relevant experience
30 points
Five years of relevant experience
35 points
POINTS FOR AGE: You will be awarded selection points based on your age at the time when the visa office receives your application.
maximum 10 points
16 or under; 54+
0 points
17 or 53
2 points
18 or 52
4 points
19 or 51
6 points
20 or 50
8 points
21 - 49
10 points
POINTS FOR LANGUAGE ABILITY: You’ll be given points based on your ability to listen, speak, read and write. You must include the results of an English or French language test taken your application. Test must have been taken from any of the designated language testing agencies within last 2 years.
Maximum 24 points
Level
Points (per ability)
IELTS Score (or equivalent in another designated test)
Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing
High
1st Language: 4
6.5 – 9.0
7.5 – 9.0
6.5 – 9.0
6.5 – 9.0
2nd Language: 2
Moderate
1st Language: 2
5.5 – 6.0
5.5 – 7.0
5.0 – 6.0
5.5 – 6.0
2nd Language: 2
Basic (max. points: 2)
1st Language: 1
4.0 – 5.0
4.5 – 5.0
3.5 – 4.5
4.0 – 5.0
2nd Language: 1
No
1st Language: 0
Less than 4.0
Less than 4.5
Less than 3.5
Less than 4.0
2nd Language: 0
POINTS FOR ADAPTABILITY
Maximum 6 points
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education
Secondary school (high school) diploma or less
0 points
One-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies
3 points
Two or three-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies
4 points
Master’s degree or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies
5 points
Previous work in Canada: You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has completed a minimum of one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit.
5 points
Previous study in Canada: You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a program of full-time study of at least two years’ duration at a post-secondary institution in Canada. You must have done this after you were 17 years old and with a valid study permit.
There’s no need to have obtained a degree or diploma for these two years of study to earn these points.
5 points
Relatives in Canada: You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, have a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who is residing in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
5 points
As part of the immigration process, IRCC may ask to interview you. During the interview, a visa officer will ask you to explain:
If there’s a difference between your statement of your qualifications and the visa officer’s assessment, you will be awarded points based on the officer’s decision.
MEDICAL, SECURITY CHECKS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
NEED HELP?
Get in Touch for more information or for applying under Self-employed Persons Program.