Self-Employed Persons Program
Application 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
To qualify for this program, applicants must have the relevant experience, intention and ability to make a significant contribution to the cultural or sporting life in Canada as artists or as athletes at an international level.
For the purposes of this Program, “Relevant Experience” is defined as:
- 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
Additional Requirements
Like most other Canadian immigration programs, the applicant and the applicant’s immediate family members must undergo medical exams and security risk assessments, as well as be able to demonstrate that they will have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their family once they arrive in Canada.
Self-employed Persons Program Application Fees
Fees
$CAN
Your application
Processing fee ($1625) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)
1,365
Include your spouse or partner
Processing fee ($850) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)
1,365
Include a dependent child
230(per child)
Your application
Processing fee ($1625) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)
- Your application (without right of permanent residence fee)
Include your spouse or partner
Processing fee ($850) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)
- Include a dependent child
- 2,140
- 1,365
- 1,365
- 230(per child)
Our Process
Featured Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants are assessed based on their experience, education, age, language proficiency, and adaptability factors. The selection process is points-based, and a minimum score is required to qualify.
To be eligible, applicants must have at least two years of relevant self-employment experience in cultural activities or athletics and have the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada.
There is no formal definition of “significant contribution.” Visa officers can use their judgment. A contribution to athletics or the arts, even at less than a national standard, may still be significant at the local level.