FEDERAL SELF EMPLOYED

The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person. Candidates under the Self-Employed Persons Program must have the experience, intention, and ability to make a "significant contribution" to Canada's cultural life or sports in Canada. There is no regulated minimum net worth requirement for this program but self-employed applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to settle in Canada along with their dependents and finance the work for which their selection is based.

​

To qualify under this program, an applicant 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 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS PROGRAM

​

A self-employed person is defined as someone with relevant self-employed experience in a cultural or athletic activity. Relevant experience consists of at least two years of experience either self-employed in or participating at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

​

Under the Self-Employed Persons Program, eligible occupations within Canada’s artistic, cultural and athletic fields include:

​

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 Occupations

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

​

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 Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts

5227 - Support Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts

5231 - Announcers and Other Broadcasters

5232 - Other Performers

5241 - Graphic Designers and Illustrators

5242 - Interior Designers and Interior Decorators

5243 - Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers

5244 - Artisans and Craftspersons

5245 - Patternmakers - Textile, Leather and Fur Products

5251 - Athletes

5252 - Coaches

5253 - Sports Officials and Referees

5254 - Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness

​

SELF EMPLOYED PROGRAM SELECTION CRITERIA

​

Applications from interested candidates are assessed against the points assessment for self-employed business immigration to Canada. The pass mark for the self-employed persons program is 35 points out of 100.