Canada Self-Employed Persons Program

Immigration Firm in Scarborough, Toronto

What is the Self-Employed Persons Program?

The Self-Employed Persons program is a pathway for applicants to become Permanent Residents who have either relevant artistic and/or athletic experience that will allow them to be self-employed, and to make significant contributions to specific economic activities in Canada.

What are its requirements for the Self-Employed Persons Program?

Applicants must satisfy a selection criteria, have relevant experience, demonstrate intention and the ability to establish a business that will create employment for themselves and either make a significant contribution to the cultural or sporting life in Canada.

The following are general eligibility requirements of the program:

  • Relevant Experience: Minimum 2 years (1 year periods) self-employed experience within five years before the date of application in cultural and or athletics activities, or world class level.

The following table displays eligible occupations and their NOC which applicants must have relevant experience under:

QUALIFYING ACTIVITIES OF ART, CULTURE, RECREATION, ATHLETICS AND SPORT

PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS TECHNICAL AND SKILLED OCCUPATIONS
  • Librarians (NOC 5111)
  • Conservators and Curators (NOC 5112)
  • Archivists (NOC 5113)
  • Authors and Writers (NOC 5121)
  • Editors (NOC 5122)
  • Journalists (NOC 5123)
  • Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications (NOC 5124)
  • Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters (NOC 5125)
  • Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Occupations (NOC 5131)
  • Conductors, Composers and Arrangers (NOC 5132)
  • Musicians and Singers (NOC 5133)
  • Dancers (NOC 5134)
  • Actors and Comedians (NOC 5135)
  • Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artists (NOC 5136)
  • Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants (NOC 5211)
  • Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries (NOC 5212)
  • Photographers (NOC 5221)
  • 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)
  • Support Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts (NOC 5227)
  • Announcers and Other Broadcasters (NOC 5231)
  • Other Performers (NOC 5232)
  • Graphic Designers and Illustrators (NOC 5241)
  • Interior Designers (NOC 5242)
  • Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers (NOC 5243)
  • Artisans and Craftspersons (NOC 5244)
  • Patternmakers – Textile, Leather and Fur Products (NOC 5245)
  • Athletes (NOC 5251)
  • Coaches (NOC 5252) 
  • Sports Officials and Referees (NOC 5253)
  • Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness (NOC 5254)
  • Selection Criteria: Applicants must score a minimum of 35 points in total. More detailed information can be found here.
SELECTION FACTOR TOTAL MAXIMUM POINTS

Age

  • Between 21-49 yields the maximum 10 points

10

Education

  • Masters of PhD education yields the maximum 25 points

25

Language

  • Maximum 16 points (4 for each language ability) for English
  • Maximum 8 points (2 for each language ability) for French

24

Relevant Experience

  • Maximum 35 points for 5 years experience
  • Maximum 30 points for 4 years experience
  • Maximum 25 points for 3 years experience
  • Maximum 20 points for 2 years experience

35

Adaptability

  • Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education
  • Previous work/study in Canada
  • Relatives in Canada

6

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