Self Employed Persons Program
Candidates for the Self-Employed Persons Program must have experience, the intention, and the ability to make a “substantial contribution” to Canada’s cultural life or sports.
A person engaged in his own business or self-employed in cultural activities or athletics who wishes to apply for a permanent resident visa in Canada may do so under the Self-Employed Persons Class. This program may be the best option for artists, painters, musicians, designers, actors, filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, sports coaches, or athletes. It is helpful to know that admission of these individuals can be facilitated and the Canadian Government even welcomes and encourages these types of visa applications.
The Self-Employed Persons Program has no specified minimum net worth threshold. Self-employed applicants, on the other hand, must show that they have adequate finances to settle in Canada with their dependents and finance the job on which their selection is based.
Self-Employed Persons Program Eligibility Requirements
Relevant experience is defined as at least two years of self-employment or participation at a world-class level in cultural or sports activities as defined by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This program is not for everyone, and self-employed immigrants must have relevant experience prior to the date of application. In particular, beginning the 5-year period preceding the application, the applicant:
- Has been self-employed in cultural or sporting pursuits.
- Has significant participation in world-class cultural or sporting activities.
You can have two years of self-employment experience, two years of world-class involvement, or a combination of one year of self-employment and one year of world-class participation.
Self-employed aspiring immigrants must also have the appropriate experience, competence, and intent to start a business. Such a company should be able to:
Develop job possibilities for themselves; and make substantial contributions to cultural or sports activities in Canadian society.
If you have 3 to 5 years of experience, you will gain extra points.
This particular class is not subject to any immigration restrictions.
Eligible occupations in Canada’s artistic, cultural, and sports spheres under the Self-Employed Persons Program include:
Professional Occupations in Art and Culture
| Professional Occupations in Art and Culture | |
| 5111 | Librarians |
| 5112 | Conservators and Curators |
| 5113 | Archivists |
| 5121 | Authors and Writers |
| 5122 | Editors |
| 5123 | Journalists |
| 5124 | Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications |
| 5125 | Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters |
| 5131 | Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Professions. |
| 5132 | Conductors, Composers and Arrangers |
| 5133 | Musicians and Singers |
| 5134 | Dancers |
| 5135 | Actors and Comedians |
| 5136 | Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artists |
Technical and Skilled Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation, and Sport
| Technical and Skilled Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport | |
| 5211 | Library and Public Archive Technicians |
| 5212 | Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries |
| 5221 | Photographers |
| 5222 | Film and Video Camera Operators |
| 5223 | Graphic Arts Technicians |
| 5224 | Broadcast Technicians |
| 5225 | Audio and Video Recording Technicians |
| 5226 | Other Coordination and Technical Jobs in Film, Television, and the Performing Arts |
| 5227 | Help Occupations in Film, Television, and the Performing Arts |
| 5231 | Announcers and Other Broadcasters |
| 5232 | Other Performers |
| 5241 | Graphic Designers and Illustrators |
| 5242 | Interior Designers and Interior Decorators |
| 5243 | Designers for the theater, fashion, exhibitions, and other creative endeavors |
| 5244 | Artisans and Craftspersons |
| 5245 | Textile, Leather, and Fur Product Patternmakers |
| 5251 | Athletes |
| 5252 | Coaches |
| 5253 | Officials and referees in sports |
| 5254 | Recreation, Sport, and Fitness Program Directors and Instructors |
Criteria for Selection
You are now eligible for the next round of evaluation if you have already met the definition of a “self-employed persons class” applicant. This includes being evaluated against a set of “Selection Criteria.”
The Selection Criteria include the following five selection factors:
- Age
- Education
- Official languages
- Experience
- Adaptability are all factors to consider.
Each selection factor has a set number of predetermined or fixed selection points. For example, if your score is less than 35 points, your application will very certainly be rejected.
The passing mark for the self-employed class is 35. As a result, it is critical and beneficial to conduct a cautious and thorough examination before applying under this category.
This is especially true because processing fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied.
| Selection Factors | Points |
| Experience | Maximum 35 points |
| Age | Maximum 10 points |
| Education | Maximum 25 points |
| Ability in English or French | Maximum 24 points |
| Adaptability | Maximum 6 points |
| Total | Maximum 100 points |
| Pass Mark | 35 points |
Factor 1: Experience
Relevant experience must have been achieved within the five-year period preceding the signing of an application and ending when a decision is reached on an application. Applicants may receive up to 35 points for their experience.
| Years of experience | Points |
| Two years of relevant experience | 20 |
| Three years of relevant experience | 25 |
| Four years of relevant experience | 30 |
| Five years of relevant experience | 35 |
Factor 2: Age
Selection points will be assigned to applicants based on their age at the time of application.
| Age | Points |
| 16 or under | 0 |
| 17 | 2 |
| 18 | 4 |
| 19 | 6 |
| 20 | 8 |
| 21-49 | 10 |
| 50 | 8 |
| 51 | 6 |
| 52 | 4 |
| 53 | 2 |
| 54+ | 0 |
Factor 3: Education
Self-employed applicants can be awarded up to 25 points under the education factor.
| Education | Points |
| Master’s or Ph.D. degree, plus at least 17 years of full-time equivalent study | 25 |
| Two or more bachelor’s level university degrees and minimum 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent education | 22 |
| A three-year diploma, vocational certificate, or apprenticeship, as well as minimum 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study, are required. | 22 |
| A bachelor’s degree from a university and minimum 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study are required. | 20 |
| A two-year diploma, trade certificate, or apprenticeship, as well as minimum 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study, are required. | 20 |
| Bachelor’s degree from a university and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 15 |
| A one-year diploma, trade certificate, or apprenticeship, as well as minimum 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study, are required. | 15 |
| A one-year diploma, trade certificate, or apprenticeship, as well as minimum 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study, are required. | 12 |
| Diploma from a high school | 5 |
Factor 4: Language Ability
Self-employed individuals may receive up to 24 points based on their fluency in English or French.
| Proficiency Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| HIGH: Individuals can communicate well in the majority of social and professional settings. | Speaking: High | Listening: High | Reading: High | Writing: High |
| MODERATE: In familiar social and work contexts, an individual can talk comfortably. | Speaking: Moderate | Listening: Moderate | Reading: Moderate | Writing: Moderate |
| BASIC: Individuals may interact in predictable circumstances and on common issues, albeit with difficulty. | Speaking: Basic | Listening: Basic | Reading: Basic | Writing: Basic |
| NO: Individual does not match the fundamental proficiency criteria outlined above. | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level |
Factor 5: Adaptability
Self-employed individuals may obtain up to six (6) points for adaptability based on the following:
| Adaptability | Points | |
Education level of spouse or common-law partner
| 3-5 | |
| Previous experience in Canada Applicant or accompanying spouse or common-law partner has worked in Canada for at least one year on a valid work permit. | 5 | |
| Past study in Canada Applicant or accompanying spouse or common-law partner has completed a two-year full-time study program at a Canadian post-secondary school. The applicant must have done so after the age of 17 and with a valid study permit. It should be noted that no degree or diploma is required for these two years of education to gain these points. | 5 | |
| Canadian relatives Applicant or accompanying spouse or common-law partner has 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 a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and resides in Canada. | 5 | |
Individuals considering moving to Quebec should be aware that the province has a different selection system for self-employed people.