How to apply Self Employed Visa Canada

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

  1. Have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and
  2. Be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada

Eligibility requirements for Self Employed Immigration Program

Your experience is relevant if you have:

  1. Taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or
  2. Been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics

Definitions

Relevant experiencefor 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

Selection Criteria

We assess you on selection criteria that include your:

  1. Experience
  2. Education
  3. Age
  4. Language abilities
  5. 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.

Points

Your maximum possible score is 100. The pass mark is currently 35 points, but it may change. Make sure you visit this site regularly if you’re thinking about immigrating to Canada as a self-employed immigrant.

We select candidates based on

  1. The documents that you give us
  2. Your score under each of the selection criteria
  3. You meeting the definition of a self-employed person

As part of the immigration process, we may ask to interview you. During the interview, a visa officer will ask you to explain:

Information that is unclear or inconsistent

Shortcomings or gaps in the documents that you provide

If there’s a difference between your statement of your qualifications and the visa officer’s assessment, we’ll award points based on the officer’s decision.

Education maximum 25 points
You have a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. 25 points
You have two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. 22 points
You have a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. 22 points
You have a university degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. 20 points
You have a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. 20 points
You have a one-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. 15 points
You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. 15 points
You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. 12 points
You completed high school. 5 points

Points for experience: maximum 35 points

Relevant experience must have been obtained in the period that begins five years before you sign your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.

Experience maximum 35 points
Two years of relevant experience 20 points
Three years of relevant experience 25 points
Four years of relevant experience 30 points
Five years of relevant experience 35 points

Points for experience: maximum 35 points

Relevant experience must have been obtained in the period that begins five years before you sign your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.

Age maximum 10 points
16 or under 0 points
17 2
18 4
19 6
20 8
21 - 49 10
50 8
51 6
52 4
53 2
54 + 0

Your proficiency in English or French is one of the 5 selection factors. You’ll be awarded up to 24 points for your basic, moderate or high proficiency in English and French. You’ll be given points based on

your ability to

  1. listen
  2. speak
  3. read and
  4. write

If you have some proficiency in both English and French, decide which language you’re more comfortable using. This is your first official language. The other is your second official language.

You must prove the level of language proficiency you claim on your application if you wish to have your official language proficiency considered in the assessment of your application for permanent residence.

Designated language testing agencies:

You can arrange to take a language test from any of the following designated agencies.

English

IELTS: International English Language Testing System,/p>

IELTS has 2 options for the reading and writing tests:General Training,Academic

You must take the General Training option.

Description of each level of proficiency:

Proficiency Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing
HIGH You can communicate effectively in most social and work situations. Speaking: High Listening: High Reading: High Writing: High
MODERATEYou can communicate comfortably in familiar social and work situations. Speaking: Moderate Listening: Moderate Reading: Moderate Writing: Moderate
BASICYou can communicate in predictable contexts and on familiar topics, but with some difficulty. Speaking: Basic Listening: Basic Reading: Basic Writing: Basic
NOYou do not meet the above criteria for basic proficiency. Does not meet Basic Level Does not meet Basic Level Does not meet Basic Level Does not meet Basic Level
Adaptability Maximum 6 points
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education
  • Secondary school (high school) diploma or less: 0 points
  • A one-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 3 points
  • A two or three-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 4 points
  • A master’s degree or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 5 points
3–5
Previous work in Canada
  • You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a minimum of one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit.
5
Previous study in Canada
  • You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a program of full-time study of at least two years’ duration at a post-secondary institution in Canada. You must have done this after you were 17 years old and with a valid study permit.
  • There’s no need to have obtained a degree or diploma for these two years of study to earn these points.
5
Relatives in Canada
  • You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, have a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who is residing in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
5
Selection criteria Maximum Points Your Score
Education 25
Experiene 35
Age 10
Ability in English and/or French 24
Adaptability 6
Total 100

Eligible Occupation To Qualify For The Self-Employed Immigration Program

NOC Occupation
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,
B5227 Support Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Perfo5231 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

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