Federal Self Employed

Are you an aspiring self-employed individual with a passion for contributing significantly to Canada’s vibrant cultural scene or sports arena? If so, you’re in the right place. The Federal Self Employed program is designed to help talented individuals like you make their mark in Canada.

Federal Self-Employed foreign, trained athletes or people in the arts and culture business who can demonstrate that they have the strength to be profitably self-employed in Canada are suitable for a business immigration visa. They are presented to satisfy the selection criteria for this program.

In contrast to other programs of business immigration, where candidates are required to spend a sum of their funds into a business or government or receive funding from a separate organization, eligible candidates are instead only requested to provide evidence of their practice within their industry as well as evidence supporting their interests to being favourably self-employed.

Who is a Self-Employed person according to the IRCC?

To embark on this exciting journey, you must first align with the Government of Canada’s definition of a self-employed person.

So, who is a self-employed person? It’s an individual with relevant experience in cultural or athletic activities. This experience comprises at least two years of being self-employed or participating at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Eligibility Requirements for the Self-Employed Persons Program

To be eligible for this stream, you must follow the below requirements to apply quickly.

A minimum of 2 years of related work experience in the professional management of the applicant is asked within the 5 years that lead their business immigration form. Professional competitors and people in the arts and culture industry must present evidence of:  

  • 2 years of self-employer within their trade, or
  • 2 years of joining at a world-class rank within their region, or
  • A union of 1 year of the above.

Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →

Self-employed person selection criteria

In addition to reaching the experience qualifications, candidates will also be graded on a scoring system to better evaluate their ability for a Self-Employed Visa.

Candidates are granted points for their study (25), experience (35), age (10), language abilities (24), and flexibility (6), for a total number of 100 points. Victorious candidates will have the lowest passing score of 35, which is directed to change. Applicants will be chosen based on their scores for each class, the reports they present with their application, and whether or not they satisfy the criteria of a self-employed personality in Canada.

Selection CriteriaMaximum points
Age10
Education25
Experience35
Adaptability6
Language24
Total100

Eligible occupations for Self-employed Person Program Canada

The self-employed person program in Canada offers a diverse range of opportunities, including but not limited to:

  1. Professional Occupations in Art and Culture: roles such as Authors, Editors, Journalists, and more.
  2. Technical and Skilled Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation, and Sport: If you’re passionate about technical roles, you can explore careers like Photography, Graphic Design, and even become a Sports Official.
NOC Code Professional Occupations in Art and Culture
5111Librarians
5112Conservators and Curators
5113Archivists
5121Authors and Writers
5122Editors
5123Journalists
5124Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications
5125Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters
5131Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Occupations
5132Conductors, Composers and Arrangers
5133Musicians and Singers
5134Dancers
5135Actors and Comedians
5136Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artists
NOC Code Technical and Skilled Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
5211Library and Public Archive Technicians
5212Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries
5221Photographers
5222Film and Video Camera Operators
5223Graphic Arts Technicians
5224Broadcast Technicians
5225Audio and Video Recording Technicians
5226Other Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts
5227Support Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts
5231Announcers and Other Broadcasters
5232Other Performers
5241Graphic Designers and Illustrators
5242Interior Designers and Interior Decorators
5243Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers
5244Artisans and Craftspersons
5245Patternmakers – Textile, Leather and Fur Products
5251Athletes
5252Coaches
5253Sports Officials and Referees
5254Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness

About the process of Federal Self Employed program

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

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

Settlement Funds
You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after getting to Canada.

Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →