The Self-Employed Persons Program targets people who want to become self-employed in Canada. ​They must have a relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics, and intend to make a significant contribution to Canada.

Cultural activities, Athletics, and Significant Contribution

A “significant contribution” is not explicitly defined by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC has included it in the eligibility requirements to stop pointless applications that are not made in good faith. It is up to the immigration officer to interpret if the applicant truly intends to make a significant contribution. Also, significant contribution is not valid only at the national or international level: a dance teacher who will be teaching in a Canadian small town could be interpreted as a significant contribution at the local level and be valid.

With regards to occupations, only those in the Unit Group 5 (Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport) under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) qualify for this program. You can look up the eligible occupations in this complete NOC list, and use the search bar to find all NOC occupations starting with the 51 or 52.

Examples of eligible occupations would be : 

• Librarians,
• Editors and journalists,
• Singers, 
• Dancers,
• Comedians and actors,
• Photographers,
• Athletes and coaches,
• Designers, etc.

Eligibility to the Program

To be eligible to the self-employed person program, you need to satisfy to the four following main requirements:

• You intend on and be capable of self-employment in Canada.
• You (and your family members) have to undergo medical tests, and provide police certificates for countries where you lived for more than 6 consecutive months after the age of 18.
• You have relevant experience between (i) five years before your application date and (i) when a decision is made on your application, either in cultural or athletic activities:​
  • At least two years of self-employment (can be made up of 2 separate periods of 1 consecutive year), or 
  • At least two years of participation in international activities (can be made up of 2 separate periods of 1 consecutive year), or
  • At least a combo of one year of self-employment (see 1.), and one year of participation in international activities (see 2.).
• You have to 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	Points
Min 17 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Master’s or PhD	25
Min 15 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Min 2 Bachelor’s degrees (or same university level)	22
Min 15 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Min 3-year diploma or certificate (outside university)	22
Min 14 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Min 2-year Bachelor’s degree (or same university level)	20
Min 14 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Min 2-year diploma or certificate (outside university)	20
Min 13 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Min 1-year Bachelor’s degree (or same university level)	15
Min 13 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Min 1-year diploma or certificate (outside university)	15
Min 12 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Min 1-year diploma or certificate (outside university)	12
Secondary (high) school diploma

Experience (Max 35 points)

Number of years of Relevant Experience	Points
5 years	35
4 years	30
3 years	25
2 years	20

Age (Max 10 points)

Age	Points
Between 21 and 49	10
20 or 50	8
19 or 51	6
18 or 52	4
17 or 53	2
Younger than 17 or older than 53	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 Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can find more about language tests and Canadian Language Benchmark(CLB).
​​

First Official Language	Listening	Speaking	Writing	Reading	Maximum
Second Official Language	Listening	Speaking	Writing	Reading	Maximum
CLB8 or more	4 points	4 points	4 points	4 points	16 points
CLB6 or CLB7	2	2	2	2	8
CLB4 or CLB5	1	1	1	1	2
CLB3 or less	0	0	0	0	0
CLB8 or more	2 points	2 points	2 points	2 points	8 points
CLB6 or CLB7	2	2	2	2	8
CLB4 or CLB5	1	1	1	1	2
CLB3 or less	0	0	0	0	0

Adaptability (Max 6 points)

Adaptability		Points
Level of education of spouse/partner	Min 17 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Master’s or PhD	5
Min 14 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Min 2-year diploma, certificate (outside university) or university degree	4
Min 12 years of full-time (or equivalent) education AND Min 1-year diploma or certificate (outside university)	3
Work in Canada	Min one-year full-time work experience in Canada for you or your spouse/partner	5
Studies in Canada	Min two-year full-time program of studies in Canada (diploma or degree is optional for getting the 5 points)	5
Relatives in Canada	You or your spouse/partner have a relative, permanent resident or Canadian citizen, living in Canada. The relative can be a (i) parent, (ii) grandparent, (iii) child, (iv) grandchild, (v) child of a parent (sibling), (vi) child of a grandparent (uncle or aunt), (vii) grandchild of a parent (nephew or niece).	5

 

Application Process and Supporting Documents

You cannot apply online for this program, only by mail. After completing and signing the requested forms, assembling the supporting documentation, and paying your fees, you will have to send the application by mail to this address.
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For the requested forms and supporting documentation, find out what those are in this documents guide.

Biometrics Requirements

Nationals from a set of countries may have to supply their biometrics (fingerprints scanning and photograph) for a $85 fee. You can check here if you have to give them.

Medical Exam Requirements

You have to go to a doctor authorized by IRCC to undergo Medical Exams.

Application Fees

For the Self-Employed Persons Program, the fees are $1,575 for the Business Immigration Application Fee and $500 for Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). You can only pay online the total fee of $2,075 (here). 

For a spouse/partner, the fees are $825 for the application fee and $500 for the RPRF. There’s an additional $225 fee for each dependent child.

If your application began processing, the application fees ($1,575 for the principal applicant and $825 for the spouse/partner) will not be refunded. If you decided to remove your application, or not to come to Canada, or if your application was denied, you can get the RPRF ($500) refunded.

Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program

You should not apply to this program if you intend to reside in Quebec. The province has its own equivalent of the Self-Employed Persons Program, called the Self-Employed Workers Program.

The eligibility requirements are completely different from those of the federal program. .

Processing Times

An application for the Self-Employed Persons Program is processed approximately within 24 months. 
Check here for current processing times. Choose “Economic Class”, then “Self-Employed Persons (Federal)”.

How We Can Help

Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) are recognized immigration agents and experts in policy as well as pathways to permanent residence. These professionals have all been through the process themselves and can answer all your questions, easing your worries. Let an RCIC of sober immigration give you an accurate assessment of your profile as well as your chosen immigration pathway !