Self-Employed Persons Program

Overview

The Self-Employed Persons Program is a federal immigration program designed for individuals with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics who can make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. This program allows eligible applicants to obtain permanent residence based on their ability to create their own employment in Canada and contribute to their field.

How it works

Applicants are assessed on a points-based system, considering factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and adaptability. A key requirement is demonstrating the intent and ability to be self-employed in Canada in their chosen cultural or athletic field. This means the applicant must show they can create their own job and generate sufficient income from their self-employment activities. Unlike some other business immigration programs, the Self-Employed Persons Program does not require a significant financial investment or job creation for other Canadians.

Who it's for

This program is suitable for individuals who have achieved international-level experience as self-employed individuals in cultural activities or athletics, or who have participated in world-class events in these fields. Examples include artists, musicians, writers, actors, athletes, coaches, and choreographers. Applicants must be prepared to be self-employed upon arrival in Canada and contribute to the Canadian cultural or athletic landscape.

To be eligible for the Self-Employed Persons Program, applicants must meet several criteria:

• Relevant Experience: Applicants must have at least two years of experience in their chosen field during the period starting five years before the date of application. This experience can be:

  • Two one-year periods of self-employment in cultural activities or athletics; or
  • Two one-year periods of participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics; or
  • A combination of one one-year period of self-employment and one one-year period of participation at a world-class level.

• Intent and Ability to be Self-Employed: Applicants must demonstrate their intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada and make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. This typically involves submitting a business plan outlining how they will establish their self-employment and generate income.

• Selection Criteria: Applicants are assessed based on a points grid, where points are awarded for:

  • Education: Points for academic qualifications.
  • Experience: Points for relevant self-employment or world-class participation.
  • Age: Points based on the applicant's age at the time of application.
  • Language Proficiency: Points for official language proficiency in English or French, demonstrated through approved language tests (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF).
  • Adaptability: Points for factors like previous work or study in Canada, or Canadian relatives.

• Medical and Criminal Admissibility: All applicants and their accompanying family members must undergo medical examinations and obtain police clearance certificates to demonstrate their admissibility to Canada.

Applicants for the Self-Employed Persons Program must provide a comprehensive set of documents to support their application. These generally include:

• Identity and Civil Status Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable), valid passports for all applicants and accompanying family members.
• Proof of Experience: Letters of reference from employers or clients, contracts, invoices, portfolios, proof of income from self-employment, and evidence of participation in world-class events or activities in cultural or athletic fields.
• Education Documents: Diplomas, degrees, and educational transcripts. If acquired outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) may be required.
• Language Test Results: Valid results from an approved language test (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada) demonstrating proficiency in English or French.
• Proof of Funds: Evidence that the applicant has sufficient funds to support themselves and their family after arriving in Canada. While there is no specific settlement fund requirement for this program, officers must be satisfied that the applicant can successfully establish themselves.
• Business Plan: A detailed business plan outlining the applicant's intentions for self-employment in Canada, including market research, financial projections, and how they will contribute to Canadian culture or athletics.
• Police Certificates: Original police clearance certificates from every country or territory where the applicant and any accompanying family members aged 18 or older have lived for six months or more since turning 18.
• Medical Examinations: Confirmation of completion of upfront medical examinations from an IRCC-approved panel physician.

The application process for the Self-Employed Persons Program generally involves the following steps:

1. Self-Assessment: Determine eligibility based on work experience, intent to be self-employed in Canada, and the program's selection criteria. This includes assessing points for age, education, language proficiency, and adaptability.
2. Gather Documents: Collect all necessary supporting documents, including proof of identity, work experience, educational credentials, language test results, and a comprehensive business plan.
3. Complete Application Forms: Fill out all required application forms accurately and completely. These forms are available on the IRCC website.
4. Pay Fees: Pay the applicable government processing fees and biometrics fees. Retain payment receipts for your records.
5. Submit Application: Submit the complete application package, along with all supporting documents and fee receipts, to IRCC. Applications are typically mailed to the designated processing centre.
6. Biometrics Appointment: Once the application is received, IRCC will send instructions for submitting biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). This usually involves attending an appointment at a designated Service Canada location or a visa application centre.
7. Review by IRCC: An IRCC officer will review the application for completeness and eligibility. They may request additional documents or an interview.
8. Medical Examination and Police Certificates: Applicants and their family members will undergo medical examinations by an IRCC-approved panel physician. Police clearance certificates from relevant countries will also be required.
9. Decision: If the application is approved, applicants will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if applicable). They will then be able to land in Canada as permanent residents.

Under the Self-Employed Persons Program, applicants can include their accompanying family members in their application for permanent residence. This typically includes:

• Their spouse or common-law partner.
• Their dependent children (under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship, with some exceptions for children over 22 who are unable to financially support themselves due to a mental or physical condition).

All accompanying family members must also meet medical and criminal admissibility requirements. If approved, family members will receive permanent resident status at the same time as the principal applicant.

Upon successful approval and landing as a permanent resident under the Self-Employed Persons Program, individuals gain the right to live and work anywhere in Canada. There are no restrictions on the type of work they can perform, other than requiring any specific professional licenses or certifications applicable to their occupation. As self-employed individuals, they are expected to continue their self-employment activities as outlined in their business plan. Permanent residents have access to the Canadian labour market without needing a work permit.

The Self-Employed Persons Program is a direct permanent residence pathway. Successful applicants and their accompanying family members are granted permanent resident status upon approval and landing in Canada. As permanent residents, they have the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. After meeting the residency obligations, permanent residents may eventually be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.

Applications for the Self-Employed Persons Program may be refused for several common reasons:

• Lack of Relevant Self-Employment Experience: Failure to demonstrate at least two years of qualifying self-employment or world-class participation in cultural activities or athletics.
• Insufficient Funds: While no specific settlement funds are required, officers must be satisfied that the applicant has sufficient funds to establish themselves in Canada. A weak financial plan can lead to refusal.
• Unrealistic Business Plan: A business plan that is not well-researched, lacks feasibility, or fails to demonstrate a clear path to self-employment and contribution to Canada's cultural or athletic life.
• Failure to Meet Selection Criteria: Not achieving the minimum points required under the program's selection grid for factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and adaptability.
• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or withholding material facts on the application can lead to refusal and a ban from reapplying for several years.
• Medical or Criminal Inadmissibility: Failure to pass medical examinations or having a criminal record can result in refusal.