The Self-Employed Persons Program enables individuals to achieve permanent immigration status in Canada by being self-employed. To be eligible for this program, you should have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics. Moreover, you must be ready to contribute to the cultural or athletic scene in Canada. In this article, we delve into the key eligibility criteria and distinctive features of the Federal Self-Employed Program, shedding light on how aspiring immigrants can carve their path to a fulfilling and permanent life in Canada.
Requirements for the Self-Employed Program
Work Experience: Applicants must have at least two years of relevant work experience in their professional field within the five years before applying for business immigration. For athletes and those in arts and culture, options include:
- Two years of self-employment in their industry or
- Two years of participation at a world-class level or
- A combination of one year of each.
Settlement Intent: Every candidate must have the desire to live in any Canadian province or territory, excluding Quebec. Quebec has its self-employed immigration program.
Selection Criteria for the Federal Self-Employed Program:
In addition to meeting experience requirements, applicants will be evaluated using a point system to determine their eligibility for a Self-Employed Visa. This streamlined process focuses on assessing relevant skills and experience rather than financial investments.
Selection Criteria
The maximum achievable score is 100, and the current passing mark is 35 points, though it might change in the future.
| Selection criteria | Maximum Points |
| Education | 25 |
| Experience | 35 |
| Age | 10 |
| Ability in English and/or French | 24 |
| Adaptability | 6 |
| TOTAL | 100 |
Points for Education:
| EDUCATION | Maximum 25 points |
| You have a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 25 points |
| You have two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 22 points |
| You have a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 22 points |
| You have a 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 points |
| You have a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 20 points |
| You have a one-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 15 points |
| You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 15 points |
| You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 12 points |
| You completed high school. | 5 points |
Relevant Experience
Your relevant experience should be gained within the five years preceding the submission of your application. Additionally, it must extend until a decision is reached on your application.
| EXPERIENCE | Maximum 35 points |
| Two years of relevant experience | 20 |
| Three years of relevant experience | 25 |
| Four years of relevant experience | 30 |
| Five years of relevant experience | 35 |
Age Selection
| AGE | Maximum 10 Points |
| 16 or under | 0 |
| 17 | 2 |
| 18 | 4 |
| 19 | 6 |
| 20 | 8 |
| 21-49 | 10 |
| 50 | 8 |
| 51 | 6 |
| 52 | 4 |
| 53 | 2 |
| 54+ | 0 |
Language ability: maximum 24 points
Language ability is a crucial factor in the selection process, with a maximum of 24 points available. Your proficiency in either English or French is assessed based on your skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. If you are proficient in both, you need to designate one as your first official language and the other as your second. It’s important to provide evidence of your claimed language proficiency in your application for permanent residence assessment.
You can arrange to take a language test from any of the following designated agencies.
For English:
- IELTS: The General Training option.
- CELPIP: General
For French:
- TEF Canada
- TCF Canada
Explanation of proficiency at each level.
| Proficiency Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| HIGH: You can communicate effectively in most social and work situations. | High | High | High | High |
| MODERATE: You can communicate comfortably in familiar social and work situations. | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| BASIC: You can communicate in predictable contexts and on familiar topics, but with some difficulty. | Basic | Basic | Basic | Basic |
| NO: You do not meet the above criteria for basic proficiency. | Doesn’t meet Basic Level | Doesn’t meet Basic Level | Doesn’t meet Basic Level | Doesn’t meet Basic Level |
Spouse or Common-law Partner’s Level of Education
| Adaptability | Maximum 6 Points |
| Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education
· Secondary school (high school) diploma or less: 0 points · A one-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 3 points · 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 points · A master’s degree or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 5 points |
3-5 |
| 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’s 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 |
Benefits of the Self-Employed Immigration Program
- Not obliged to have a job offer.
- No constraints on your status.
- Not required to buy or set up a business before coming to Canada.
- Upon success, you will receive Canadian Permanent Residence.
- Reasonably fast processing time for permanent residence – 18 to 24 months.
How can we help you?
If you have 2 years of self-employed experience and want to immigrate to Canada, contact us. We will handle your case, ensuring it meets the highest legal standards.