Canada Immigration - Self Employed Persons Program
The Self-Employed persons program allows eligible foreign nationals to move to Canada as Permanent Residents. Applicants applying through this program must show relevant experience in athletics or cultural activities.
This program is perfect for experienced athletes or people who can make a significant contribution to the Canadian economy in the cultural or sports sector.
quick facts
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Processing time: 3-4 months
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Fee: Processing fee $155-$255.
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LMIA/Job offer required: No
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BOWP Validity: 24 months.
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Minimum requirement: Must be inside Canada with a valid legal status while applying for a BOWP.
Index at a glance: Self-Employed Persons Program
What is Self-Employed Persons Program?
The Self-Employed Persons Program is a Canadian immigration program that allows self-employed individuals to immigrate to Canada. To be eligible, applicants must have at least two years of relevant work experience and meet the requirements for either the Farm Management stream or the Arts and Cultural Activities stream. The program is designed to attract individuals who will contribute to the Canadian economy and society.
If an individual can demonstrate that they have the potential to be gainfully self-employed in Canada, they may be eligible for a business immigration visa in the country, provided that they meet the selection criteria for the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program. This includes internationally self-employed individuals, professional athletes, and individuals working in the arts and culture industry.
What are the eligibility requirements for Self Employed Person Program?
To be eligible for the Federal Self Employed Persons Program, you must meet the following requirements:
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You must have accumulated at least 2 years of relevant work experience in a cultural or athletic profession within the 5 years before you apply and ending on the day a decision is made on your application.
At a minimum, your experience must be:
1. For cultural activities:
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2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
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2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
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a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)
2. For athletics:
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2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
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2 one-year periods participating at a world class level in athletics, or
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a combination of a one-year period described in (a) above, and a one-year period described in (b) above
However, you can score more points if your have 3, 4 or 5 years of relevant work experience.
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You must score a minimum of 35 points on the 5 selection factors - experience, education, age, language abilities, and adaptability.
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You and your family members must clear a medical exam from a designated panel physician and get police clearance certificates as well.
5 Selection Criteria for Federal Self-Employed Program
The Federal Self-employed persons program for immigration to Canada is based on a points system. Self-employed persons program pass mark is 35/100.
Selection Factors | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
Experience | 35 points |
Age | 10 points |
Education | 25 points |
Official Language Skills - English or French | 24 points |
Adaptability | 6 points |
Total | Maximum 100 points |
1. Self-Employed Persons Program - Experience
Relevant experience must have been obtained within the five-year period preceding the signing of an application and ending when a decision is made on an application. Applicants may receive up to 35 points for their experience.
Years of Experience | Points |
|---|---|
2 years of relevant experience | 20 |
3 years of relevant experience | 25 |
4 years of relevant experience | 30 |
5 years of relevant experience | 35 |
2. Self-Employed Persons Program - Education
Self-employed applicants can score a maximum of 25 points under the education factor.
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 |
High school diploma
| 5 |
3. Self-Employed Persons Program - Age
Selection points will be assigned to applicants based on their age at the time of application.
Age | Points |
|---|---|
16 or younger | 0 |
17 | 2 |
18 | 4 |
19 | 6 |
20 | 8 |
21-49 | 10 |
50 | 8 |
51 | 6 |
52 | 4 |
53 | 2 |
54+ | 0 |
4. Self-Employed Persons Program - Language
You can score a maximum 24 points
*1st Official Language: You can score a maximum of only two points in total for basic-level proficiency
Language Proficiency | Points | Points | Points | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1st Official Language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
Highly Skilled | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Moderately Skilled | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Basic Skill* | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not Skilled at all | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2nd Official Language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
Highly Skilled | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Moderately Skilled | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Basic Skill* | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not Skilled at all | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
5. Self-Employed Persons Program - Adaptability
You can score a maximum of 6 points
Adaptability | Points |
|---|---|
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education | |
Secondary school (high school) diploma or less | 0 |
A one-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies | 3 |
A two or three-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies | 4 |
A master’s degree or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies | 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.
There is 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 |
What are the language requirements the Self Employed Person Program for Canada?
You are awarded points based on the level of proficiency in one of Canada's official languages - English or French. You can earn a maximum of 24 points based on your level of proficiency in your choice of your first official language.
For any points you claim, you must provide proof of language proficiency. Canada accepts language test reports from the following designated agencies:
English
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IELTS: International English Language Testing System
IELTS has 2 options for the reading and writing tests:
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General Training
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Academic
You must take the General Training option.
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CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
CELPIP has two tests:
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CELPIP-General (CELPIP-G)
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CELPIP-Academic (CELPIP-A)
You must take the CELPIP-G test.
French
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TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
You must submit results from the following TEF Canada tests as proof of your French language proficiency:
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compréhension écrite
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compréhension orale
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expression écrite
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expression orale
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TCF Canada : Test de connaissance du français (French only)
You must submit results from these TCF Canada tests as proof of your French language skills:
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compréhension de l’écrit
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compréhension de l’oral
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expression écrite
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expression orale
How much money do I need to invest in Canada as a self-employed person?
There is no net worth requirement for the self-employed person program according to the IRCC. However, in order to immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person, you need to show that you can make a considerable contribution to the Canadian economy while being self-employed in Canada. The only way to interpret this is - how much money can you invest in Canada as a self-employed person.
The amount of investment depends on the type of occupation. Consider the following scenarios/examples:
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An athlete who intends to open an academy in Canada would probably need to invest $100,000 or more.
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A artist who paints has to establish a gallery which requires a significant investment in real-estate (lease/purchase a gallery or space), raw materials etc.
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A athletic coach who seeks to teach at local clubs will need some money to advertise and other marketing activities for self-promotion, if not a specialized training facility.
These are mere examples and should be taken as such.
Additionally, to prove financial self-sufficiency for your family and yourselves, you will need to show ample proof of funds based on the size of your family.
Refer to the income chart on the FSW program.
Need help in applying for Permanent Residence? Hire an authorized paid representative.
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