Who can apply

To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must:

• have relevant experience
• be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada
• meet the program’s selection criteria and
• meet medical, security and other conditions

Relevant experience

Your experience is relevant if you have:

• taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or
• been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics

Definitions

Relevant experience for a self-employed person means at least two years of experience.

It must be during the period starting 5 years before the day you apply and ending on the day we make a decision on your application.

You can get more points if you have 3, 4, or 5 years of experience.

At a minimum, your experience must be:

• for cultural activities:
  1. 2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
  2. 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
  3. a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)
• for athletics:
  1. 2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
  2. 2 one-year periods participating at a world class level in athletics, or
  3. a combination of a one-year period described in (a) above, and a one-year period described in (b) above

Selection criteria

We assess you on selection criteria that include your:

• experience
• education
• age
• language abilities
• adaptability

Medical, security checks and other requirements

You and your family members must have a medical exam and get police certificates.

You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you get to Canada.