Slide Option 1

Opportunity Lives Here

Business Immigration to Canada

This Canadian immigration Self-Employed Program is designed to attract those applicants who intend and are able to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons who intend to live in Quebec are not eligible under this program and should apply under the Quebec Self-Employed Program.

To qualify for this program, applicants must have the relevant experience, intention and ability to either:

  • make a significant contribution to the cultural or sporting life in Canada as artisans or as athletes at an international level; or

  • purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

Relevant Experience is defined as:

  • at least two years experience of participation in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level;

  • at least two years experience of self-employment in cultural activities of athletics; or

  • at least two years of farm management experience

Learn more about what activities qualify for self-employed persons.

Selection Factors

Once applicants are found to meet the definition of “Self-Employed Persons”, applicants will then be assessed based on the selection criteria found in the table below. Applicants must earn a minimum of 35 point out of 100 potential points if they want to immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person.

Selection Criteria Maximum Points
Education 25
Experience 35
Age 10
Ability in French and/or English 24
Adaptability 6
Total:

Medical exams, security risk assessments, and sufficient settlement funds

Like most other Canadian immigration programs, the applicant and the applicant’s immediate family members must undergo medical exams and security risk assessments, as well as be able to demonstrate that they will have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their family once they arrive in Canada.

Qualifying Activities for Self-Employed Persons

Professional Occupations in Art and Culture

5111 Librarians
5112 Conservators and Curators
5113 Archivists
5121 Authors and Writers
5122 Editors
5123 Journalists
5124 Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications
5125 Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters
5131 Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Occupations
5132 Conductors, Composers and Arrangers
5133 Musicians and Singers
5134 Dancers
5135 Actors and Comedians
5136 Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artists

 

Technical and Skilled Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

5211 Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants
5212 Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries
5221 Photographers
5222 Film and Video Camera Operators
5223 Graphic Arts Technicians
5224 Broadcast Technicians
5225 Audio and Video Recording Technicians
5226 Other Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts
5227 Support Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts
5231 Announcers and Other Broadcasters
5232 Other Performers
5241 Graphic Designers and Illustrators
5242 Interior Designers
5243 Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers
5244 Artisans and Craftspersons
5245 Patternmakers – Textile, Leather and Fur Products
5251 Athletes
5252 Coaches
5253 Sports Officials and Referees
5254 Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness