About Self-Employed Persons Program
The Federal Self-Employed person class is for applicants who intend and have the ability to become self-employed in Canada while making a significant contribution to the cultural, artistic or athletic life of Canada. The main purpose of this immigration category is to attract talented people to represent Canada as a professional athlete, coach, or world-class artist. You must show that you intend to continue with your self-employment activities upon your arrival in Canada.
The Self-Employed Program is looking for people who intend to be self-employed in Canada. An applicant may be eligible for this program if:
1. Have relevant work experience (in the period beginning five years before the date of the application submission and ending on the day a decision is made on the application), which is defined as:
- At least two-year experience of participation in cultural activities or athletics at a World-class level;
- At least two-year experience of self-employment in cultural activities or athletics
2. Meet the selection criteria for self-employed people
3. Pass medical and security checks
4. Demonstrate sufficient financial resources
Required experience for Self-Employed Persons Program
For cultural activities.
- Two one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activity, OR
- Two 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.
- Two one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, OR
- Two one-year periods participating at a world-class level in athletics, OR
- A combination of a one-year period described in A and one-year period described in B
In order to be eligible to apply under this category, you must have relevant experience and intend to be self-employed in one of these occupations:
- Athletes, Sportsmen and Sportswomen (5251)
- Coaches (NOC 5252)
- Sports Officials and Referees (NOC 5253)
- Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness (NOC 5254)
- Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters (NOC 5125)
- Graphic Designers and Illustrators (NOC 5241)
- Photographers (NOC 5221)
- Artisans and Craftspersons (NOC 5244)
- Authors and Writers (NOC 5121)
- Journalists (NOC 5123)
- Musicians and Singers (NOC 5133)
- Interior Designers (NOC 5242)
- Dancers (NOC 5134)
- Actors and Comedians (NOC 5135)
- Editors (NOC 5122)
- Librarians (NOC 5111)
- Conservators and Curators (NOC 5112)
- Archivists (NOC 5113)
- Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Occupations (NOC 5131)
- Conductors, Composers and Arrangers (NOC 5132)
- Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artists (NOC 5136)
- Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants (NOC 5211)
- Film and Video Camera Operators (NOC 5222)
- Graphic Arts Technicians (NOC 5223)
- Broadcast Technicians (NOC 5224)
- Audio and Video Recording Technicians (NOC 5225)
- Other Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts (NOC 5226)
- Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries (NOC 5212)
- Support Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts (NOC 5227)
- Announcers and Other Broadcasters (NOC 5231)
- Other Performers (NOC 5232)
- Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers (NOC 5243)
- Patternmakers – Textile, Leather and Fur Products (NOC 5245)
- Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications (NOC 5124)
Once you meet the definition of a self-employed person, you will be assessed against the following five selection criteria:
| SELECTION CRITERIA | MAXIMUM POINTS |
|---|---|
| Education | 25 |
| Experience | 35 |
| Age | 10 |
| English/French ability | 24 |
| Adaptability | 6 |
| TOTAL | 100 |
| PASS MARK | 35 |