Self-Employed Persons Program

Immigrate to become self-employed in Canada (athlete, farmer, etc.)

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Depending on your nationality, you may need to give your biometrics:

• Starting July 31, 2018 – applicants from Europe, Middle East and Africa.
• Starting December 31, 2018 – applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas.

​The Self-Employed Persons Program targets people who will become self-employed in Canada. They must have either (i) a relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics, and intend to make a significant contribution to Canada, or (ii) an experience in managing a farm and intend to buy and manage a farm in Canada.

Cultural activities, Athletics, and Significant Contribution

There is no formal definition of “significant contribution.” A contribution to athletics or the arts, even at less than a national standard, may still be significant at the local level. You can still contribute to some activities outside of Canada.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) provides a full list of qualifying activities for self-employed persons, namely:

Full-list of National Occupation Classification Codes and Occupations

	NOC Code		Occupation
	5111		Librarians
	5112		Conservators and Curators
	5113		Archivists
	5121		Authors and Writers
	5122		Editors
	5123		Journalists
	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
	5211		Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants
	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
	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

 

Eligibility

To be eligible as a self-employed person, you must satisfy to the five following main requirements:

• intend and be able to be self-employed in Canada, 
• meet medical, security and other conditions,

• have relevant experience in the period starting five years before the day you apply and ending on the day a decision is made:
  • for cultural activities: 
    1. two 'one-year periods' being self-employed in cultural activities, or
    2. two 'one-year periods' participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
    3. a combination of a one-year period described in 1. above, and a one-year period described in 2. above.
  • for athletics: 
    1. two 'one-year periods' being self-employed in athletics, or
    2. two 'one-year periods' participating at a world class level in athletics, or
    3. a combination of a one-year period described in 1. above, and a one-year period described in 2. above, and
  • for buying and managing a farm, two one-year periods managing a farm.
• meet the selection criteria for self-employed people, which means getting a minimum of 35 points out of a 100. See how much points you should get below. 

Education (Max 25 points)

	Education		Maximum Points
	You have a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.		25
	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
	You have a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.		22
	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
	You have a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.		20
	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
	You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.		15
	You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.		12

 

 

 

Experience (Max 35 points)

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

 

Age (Max 10 points)

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

 

Language ability (Max 24 points)

Points for language proficiency will only be awarded where you have had your proficiency assessed by an agency designated by IRCC. You find more about language tests here.
​
Use the descriptions here to rate your language proficiency.

You can score a maximum of only two points in total for basic-level proficiency.​
​

	First Official Language		Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
	High proficiency		4	4	4	4
	Moderate proficiency		2	2	2	2
	Basic proficiency		1	1	1	1
	No proficiency		0	0	0	0

 

 

Second Official Language		Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
High proficiency		4	4	4	4
Moderate proficiency		2	2	2	2
Basic proficiency		1	1	1	1
No proficiency		0	0	0	0

 

 

 

Adaptability (Max 6 points)

	Adaptability		Points
	Spouse’s 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 is 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

 

Application Process and Supporting Documents

You can only apply on paper. After filling and signing the required forms, gathering your supporting documents, and paying your fees, you will need to mail your application package to this address.

You need to fill and sign the following forms:

• General Application Form for Canada: IMM0008. You need to download the form and fill it on your computer. If you open it on your browser, the form might not be displayed. You will need to validate the form after finishing (button at the end of the form), it will make sure you did not forget anything and will create barcodes at the last page of the form.
• Additional Dependents/Declaration: IMM0008DEP, if applicable.
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration: IMM5669, for the principal applicant, its spouse or common-law partner and its dependents over the age of 18 (accompanying or not).
• Supplementary Information – Your travels: IMM5562. 
• Schedule 6A Business Immigrants – Self-employed persons: IMM0008 SCHEDULE 6A.
• Additional Family Information: IMM5406.
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union form if you are in a Common-law Union:  IMM 5409.
• Use of a Representative form if you are using the services of a representative: IMM5476.
• Document checklist: IMM5807.

You can find help here for filling the forms.
​
You need to provide the following supporting documents:

• Original of fee payment in an acceptable format. 
• Photocopy of the information page(s) of your valid passport or travel document which includes: passport number, issuance and expiry dates, photo, name, date and place of birth. Diplomatic, official, service or public affairs passports are not accepted.
• Original of the proof of language proficiency, either the TEF and/or IELTS or CELPIP.
• Proof of education, either a copy of your credential, may include certificates, diplomas, transcripts, etc.
• Proof of relevant work experience. There is no set format, you should add as many documents as possible.
• Proof of adaptability, if applicable. 
• Proof of settlement funds. Check here for more information.
• For you and your spouse or common-law partner: photocopies of your birth certificates, marriage , divorce, name change or death Licenses/Certificates.
• For your children, photocopies of birth certificates, adoption papers. If the other parent of your children is not accompanying you to Canada, you must submit a signed Separation Declaration for Minors Travelling to Canada: IMM 5604.
• Two photos meeting the requirements for you and each member of your family, accompanying or not. On the back of the one photo, write your name, date of birth, and date the photo was taken. 
• Two self-addressed mailing labels, (i) one in English or French and, (ii) one in the official language of your country of residence.
• Photocopy of your current immigration status if your country of residence differs from the country of citizenship listed on your passport.
• Original of police certificates from each country or territory where you have lived for six or more months in a row since the age of 18. You can learn here how to get the right police certificate.

Translation:
You must add the following for any document that is not in English or French:

• the English or French translation; and
• an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (see below for details); and
• a certified copy of the original document.

Application Fees

When applying to the Self-Employed Persons Program, you must pay a $1,050 Business Immigration Application fee in addition to the $490 Right of Permanent Residence fee. You can pay your fees ($1,540) online here. 

For your spouse or common-law partner, you also need to pay a $550 Application fee and a $490 Right of Permanent Residence fee. For each dependent child, you need to add $150.

The $1,050 is not refundable if the application processing started. The Right of Permanent Residence fee is refundable if the application is rejected, or cancel your application, or decide not to come to Canada.

Medical Exam

You will need to wait for instructions to pass a medical exam. When so, you will have to choose a panel physician that is authorized by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can find the list, by country, here.

When you go to your appointment, you must bring:

• proper identification,
• eye glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them,
• any medical reports or test results that you have regarding to previous or existing medical conditions, and
• the Medical Report form. The visa office will send you this form.

You’ll also have to bring four recent photographs if the panel physician does not use the eMedical electronic system. Contact the panel physician before your appointment to find out.

Your medical exam results are valid for 12 months only. You may need to have another exam if you do not come to Canada during that time.

Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program

Quebec has its own Businesspeople Immigration Programs. The Quebec equivalent of the Self-Employed Persons Program is the Self-Employed Workers Program.

It is quite different from the Federal program as you will need a minimum net worth of $100,000.

The processing times are very slow, you might need to wait up to 5 years to get your "Certificate de Selection du Québec" (CSQ) after paying a little more than a $1000 fee for the CSQ application. And you will need then to apply to the federal government for your permanent residence, which can take a few months.

You can learn more about this program and how to apply here.

Processing Times

As of time of writing, a Self-Employed Persons Program application is processed within 49 months. 

You can check the processing times here. You need to select "Economic Class", then "Self-Employed Persons (Federal)".