About the process

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

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

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

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 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, 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

Selection Criteria

IRCC 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 obtain the police certificates.

You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you come to Canada.

 The NOC groups 51 and 52 contain the eligible occupations.

Applicants for this category must show that they will keep up their cultural or athletic pursuits to support themself financially.

Business plans, partners, exploratory visits, and funding for such activities can be used to demonstrate the intention to launch the activity in Canada.

When making a final decision on your application, further selection factors, including your education, age, English or French language proficiency, and adaptability, as well as a medical exam and police clearance, are also considere