Businesses

Status: Paused until January 2027

As of April 30, 2024, the Canadian government has paused the Self-Employed Persons Program, and applications will not be accepted until January 2027. This program traditionally allowed individuals with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics to immigrate to Canada permanently as self-employed persons.

Program Overview

The Self-Employed Persons Program was designed for individuals who have substantial experience in cultural activities or athletics and who are willing and able to make significant contributions to Canada’s cultural or athletic landscape. To qualify, applicants needed to demonstrate relevant experience and the ability to be self-employed in their field within Canada.

Relevant Experience Requirements

To be eligible under this program, applicants needed to have at least two years of relevant experience within the five years prior to their application. The experience could be one of the following:

• Cultural Activities:
  • Two one-year periods of being self-employed in cultural activities, or
  • Two one-year periods of participating in cultural activities at a world-class level, or
  • A combination of one year of self-employment and one year of world-class participation in cultural activities.
• Athletics:
  • Two one-year periods of being self-employed in athletics, or
  • Two one-year periods of participating in athletics at a world-class level, or
  • A combination of one year of self-employment and one year of world-class participation in athletics.

Applicants could improve their chances by having more than the minimum required experience, with additional points awarded for three, four, or five years of experience.

Selection Criteria

In addition to relevant experience, applicants were assessed based on several other criteria, including:

• Education
• Age
• Language abilities
• Adaptability

Applicants and their family members were also required to pass medical exams, obtain police certificates, and demonstrate that they had sufficient funds to support themselves upon arriving in Canada.

How we can help

Although the Self-Employed Persons Program is currently paused, we are here to assist potential applicants in preparing for when the program resumes. Our team of experienced immigration professionals can help you assess your eligibility, gather necessary documentation, and ensure that your application is complete and compelling. We can also provide guidance on alternative immigration pathways that may be available to you during this pause.