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

If you are interested in this program, you should have experience related to cultural or sports activities.

Have and be able to make a significant contribution to the promotion of Canadian cultural or sports life.

To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must:

• have relevant experience
• be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada
• meet the program’s selection criteria and
• meet medical, security and other conditions

Related work experience:

Your experience is relevant if you have:

• taken part in cultural activities or athletics (NOC Group 51&52) at a world-class level or
• been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics((NOC Group 51&52)

Relevant experience for a self-employed person must be at least two years during the 5 years before application and end on the day the IRCC decides on your application.

If you have 3, 4 or 5 years of experience, you can earn more points.

At a minimum, your experience must be:

For cultural activities:

• 2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
• 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
• a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)

For athletics:

• 2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
• 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in athletics, or
• a combination of a one-year period described in (a) above, and a one-year period described in (b) above

Selection criteria:

You will be evaluated based on selection criteria, which include the following:

Experience – Education – Age – Language knowledge – Adaptability

Medical, security checks and other requirements

• You and your family members must undergo medical exams and provide police certificates.
• You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada.