Self-Employed Immigration (these are for world-class cultural/artistic people and athletes etc.)

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 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:
    • 2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
    • 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
    • a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)
  • for athletics:
    • 2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
    • 2 one-year periods participating at a world class level in athletics, or
    • a combination of a one-year period described in (a) above, and a one-year period described in (b) above
 
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.