The Self-Employed Program seeks to bring people who will become self-employed in Canada. They must have either:
- relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics, and intend and be able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada, or
- experience in managing a farm, and intend and be able to buy and manage a farm in Canada.
To be eligible as a self-employed person, you must:
- have relevant experience
- intend and be able to be self-employed in Canada
- meet the selection criteria for self-employed people and
- meet medical, security and other conditions.
Relevant experience
Relevant experience for a self-employed person means at least two years of experience in the last five years.
The experience must be:
for cultural activities:
a) two one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
b) two one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
c) a combination of a one-year period described in a above, and a one-year period described in b above.
for athletics:
a) two one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
b) two 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, and
for buying and managing a farm, two one-year periods managing a farm.
Intend and be able to be self-employed in Canada
Selection criteria
You are assessed on selection criteria that include your:
- experience
- education
- age
- language abilities
- adaptability
To qualify as a self-employed immigrant, you must:
Meet the definition of a self-employed person
Get a minimum of 35 points after we grade you based on our five selection criteria and point system
Candidates are selected based on:
- the documents that they provide
- the score under each of the selection criteria
- they meeting the definition of a self-employed person
As part of the immigration process, you may need an interview.
Medical, security 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.
