Self-Employed Program

About the process

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The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person.

If you’re interested in this program, you must:

• have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and

• be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada

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Eligibility

To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must:

• have relevant experience

• be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada

• meet the program’s selection criteria and

• meet medical, security and other conditions

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Relevant Experience

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

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Definitions

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 we make a 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:

  1. 2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or

  2. 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or

  3. a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)

• for athletics:

  1. 2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or

  2. 2 one-year periods participating at a world class level in athletics, or

  3. a combination of a one-year period described in (a) above, and a one-year period described in (b) above

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Selection criteria

We assess you on selection criteria that include your:

• experience

• education

• age

• language abilities

• adaptability

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.

 

Below is the list of eligible professions: