The Self-Employed Persons Program allows individuals with relevant experience in the cultural or athletic field who wish to make a significant contribution in Canada to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person.
Eligibility Requirements:
Interested applicants who want to immigrate as a self-employed person must:
- Have relevant experience
- Want to be self-employed
- Meet the selection criteria and attain the passing mark
- Meet medical, security, and any additional conditions
Relevant experience refers to at least two experience of experience in a cultural or athletic activity as a self-employed person or participating at a world-class level, or a combination of at least one year in both. This must be met within the 5 years before application submission.
Eligible Occupations include:
Any occupation that is classified under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code beginning with 5 are qualifying activities for self-employed persons.
Refer to this page to confirm if your experience is eligible for immigrating under the Self-Employed Persons Program.
Selection Criteria:
The minimum score required is 35 points, which is based on 5 selection criteria. The maximum score possible is 100.
| Selection Criteria | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Education | 25 |
| Experience | 35 |
| Age | 10 |
| Language Ability | 24 |
| Adaptability | 6 |
| Total | 100 |
Points for Education
| Education | Points |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 25 |
| Two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 22 |
| Three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 22 |
| 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 |
| Two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 20 |
| One-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 15 |
| One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 15 |
| One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study | 12 |
| Completion of high school | 5 |
Points for Experience
| Years of Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| Two years of relevant experience | 20 |
| Three years of relevant experience | 22 |
| Four years of relevant experience | 30 |
| Five years of relevant experience | 35 |
Points for Age
| 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 |
Points for Language Ability
| Proficiency Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High: You can communicate effectively in most social and work situations | High | High | High | High |
| Moderate: You can communicate comfortably in familiar social and work situations | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Basic: You can communicate in predictable contents and on familiar topics, but with some difficulty | Basic | Basic | Basic | Basic |
| No: You 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 |
Points for Adaptability
A maximum of 6 points can be attained in this section by any combination of the following:
| Adaptability | Points |
|---|---|
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education
| 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. Note: 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 |
The selection criteria for Quebec is different than the one mentioned above. Check out the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program if you plan to reside in the province of Quebec.