Self-employed persons immigrants

Self-employed persons

The Self-Employed Persons Program seeks to attract applicants who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have either:

• relevant experience that will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada or
• experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

Self-employed persons:
Who can apply

To be eligible as a self-employed person, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have relevant experience
• Meet the selection criteria for self-employed persons and
• Meet medical, security and other requirements

Relevant experience

Relevant experience is defined as:

• participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics
• farm management experience or
• self-employment in cultural activities or athletics. Please consult the Related Links section at the bottom of this page for a list of activities that qualify. You will also find a link to definitions of terms that apply to self-employed persons.

Selection criteria

You will be assessed on selection criteria that include your experience, education, age, language abilities and adaptability. You can find out more about the selection criteria in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Medical, security and other requirements

You and your family members must pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks. You can find more information on both of these topics in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. You can find more information under Proof of funds in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
You must also meet any other requirements of Canadian and provincial or territorial immigration regulations.

Quebec

Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, the province of Quebec operates its own business immigration program. If you want to settle in the province of Quebec, contact the nearest Quebec immigration office, or visit the website of the Quebec ministry that handles immigration. You will find more information in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Self-employed persons:
How to apply

There are two application processes for self-employed persons who want to apply to become permanent residents:

• the simplified application process and
• the regular application process.

Most applicants must use the simplified process. However, you must use the regular process if:

• you have been selected by Quebec
• you have been lawfully admitted to Canada for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo or
• you have been lawfully admitted into the United States for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo.

If none of the situations described above applies to you, you must use the simplified application process.
Choose the application process that applies to you:

• regular application process
• simplified application process

Quebec has its own business immigration program. If you want to settle in the province of Quebec, contact the nearest Quebec immigration office, or visit the website of the Quebec ministry that handles immigration. Check the Related Links section at the bottom of this page

Self-employed persons: Who can apply—Selection criteria

In order to qualify, you must first meet the definition of a self-employed person. You can find the definition in the Related Links on the bottom of this page.
You will then be assessed against five selection criteria and a point system. You must obtain a minimum of 35 points if you want to immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person.
Learn more about each factor by clicking on it.

Selection Criteria	Maximum Points	Your Score
Education	25
Experience	35
Age	10
Ability in English and/or French	24
Adaptability	6
TOTAL	100

Your Score
The maximum possible score is 100. The pass mark is currently 35 points. However, the pass mark may change, so make sure you visit this site regularly if you are considering immigrating to Canada as a self-employed person.
Selection is based on the documents that you provide and an assessment of your score under each of the selection criteria. You must also meet the definition of a self-employed person.
An interview may be required. During the interview, a visa officer will ask you to explain any information that is unclear or inconsistent, or any shortcomings or gaps in the documents that you provide. If there is a difference between your assessment of your qualifications, and the visa officer’s assessment, the officer’s assessment will prevail.