Federal Self-employed Stream

The Self-Employed Persons Program permits people to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person. If this program interest you, you should
  • Have appropriate experience in cultural activities or athletics and
  • Be prepared and able to create a meaningful contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada

Self employed work experience - Immisa Immigration

Candidates for the Self-Employed Persons Program must have the experience, intention and ability to make a “significant contribution” to Canada’s cultural life or sports in Canada.

Interested candidates must meet both the eligibility requirements and achieve at minimum a passing mark of 35 out of 100 under the program’s selection criteria in order to be considered for immigration as a self-employed person.

There is no regulated minimum net worth requirement for the Self-Employed Persons Program. However, self-employed applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to settle in Canada along with their dependents and finance the work for which their selection is based. To qualify as a self-employed person, you must show that (i) you intend to work as a self-employed individual in Canada and that (ii) you have at least 2 years of experience in one of the following professions:

  • Librarians
  • Conservators and curators
  • Archivists
  • Writers, translators and related communications professionals
  • Authors
  • Editors
  • Journalists
  • Translators, terminologists and interpreters
  • Creative and performing artists
  • Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
  • Conductors, composers and arrangers
  • Dancers
  • Actors and comedians
  • Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
  • Technical occupations in libraries, public archives, museums and art galleries
  • Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries
  • Photographers, graphic arts technicians and technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
  • Creative designers and crafts-persons
  • Graphic designers and illustrators
  • Interior designers and interior decorators
  • Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
  • Artisans and crafts-persons
  • Patternmakers – textile, leather and fur products
  • Athletes, coaches, referees and related occupations
  • Athletes
  • Coaches
  • Sports officials and referees
  • Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
  • Film and video camera operators
  • Graphic arts technicians
  • Broadcast technicians
  • Library and public archive technicians
  • Audio and video recording technicians
  • Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts
  • Announcers and other performers
  • Announcers and other broadcasters
  • Other performers
  • Cultural performers

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

Have relevant experience,

For cultural activities:  

    1. Two one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
    2. Two one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
    3. A combination of a one-year period described in one, and a one-year period described in two.


For athletics:

    1. Two one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
    2. Two one-year periods participating at a world-class level in athletics, or
    3. A combination of a one-year period described in one above, and a one-year period described in two above.
  • Be prepared and able to be self-employed in Canada
  • Language proficiency: CLB 5 and above in English or French
  • Meet the Program’s selection criteria and Meet medical, security and other conditions

We are here to make your application for Canadian immigration simple. We can guide you through the application process and save you hassle by making sure that you are providing the correct information and documents to the Canadian immigration authorities. We understand what it takes to be successful in this program, so we will present your application in the best possible way to ensure that you receive Canadian Permanent Residency for you and your immediate family members. 

Now is a great time to get started with your application and we would be excited to help you on this journey if you qualify for this program. Get in touch with us.

About the program

Candidates for the Self-Employed Persons Program must have the experience, intention and ability to make a “significant contribution” to Canada’s cultural life or sports in Canada.

Interested candidates must meet both the eligibility requirements and achieve at minimum a passing mark of 35 out of 100 under the program’s selection criteria in order to be considered for immigration as a self-employed person.

There is no regulated minimum net worth requirement for the Self-Employed Persons Program. However, self-employed applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to settle in Canada along with their dependents and finance the work for which their selection is based. To qualify as a self-employed person, you must show that (i) you intend to work as a self-employed individual in Canada and that (ii) you have at least 2 years of experience in one of the following professions:

  • Librarians
  • Conservators and curators
  • Archivists
  • Writers, translators and related communications professionals
  • Authors
  • Editors
  • Journalists
  • Translators, terminologists and interpreters
  • Creative and performing artists
  • Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
  • Conductors, composers and arrangers
  • Dancers
  • Actors and comedians
  • Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
  • Technical occupations in libraries, public archives, museums and art galleries
  • Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries
  • Photographers, graphic arts technicians and technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
  • Creative designers and crafts-persons
  • Graphic designers and illustrators
  • Interior designers and interior decorators
  • Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
  • Artisans and crafts-persons
  • Patternmakers – textile, leather and fur products
  • Athletes, coaches, referees and related occupations
  • Athletes
  • Coaches
  • Sports officials and referees
  • Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
  • Film and video camera operators
  • Graphic arts technicians
  • Broadcast technicians
  • Library and public archive technicians
  • Audio and video recording technicians
  • Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts
  • Announcers and other performers
  • Announcers and other broadcasters
  • Other performers
  • Cultural performers

Eligibility Criteria

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

Have relevant experience,

For cultural activities:  

    1. Two one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
    2. Two one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
    3. A combination of a one-year period described in one, and a one-year period described in two.


For athletics:

    1. Two one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
    2. Two one-year periods participating at a world-class level in athletics, or
    3. A combination of a one-year period described in one above, and a one-year period described in two above.
  • Be prepared and able to be self-employed in Canada
  • Language proficiency: CLB 5 and above in English or French
  • Meet the Program’s selection criteria and Meet medical, security and other conditions

How can we help?

We are here to make your application for Canadian immigration simple. We can guide you through the application process and save you hassle by making sure that you are providing the correct information and documents to the Canadian immigration authorities. We understand what it takes to be successful in this program, so we will present your application in the best possible way to ensure that you receive Canadian Permanent Residency for you and your immediate family members. 

Now is a great time to get started with your application and we would be excited to help you on this journey if you qualify for this program. Get in touch with us.

FAQ's on start up visa in Canada

1. What is the Federal Self-Employed Stream in Canada?

The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person.

If you’re interested in this program, you must:

  • have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and
  • be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada

2. What are the eligibility requirements for the Federal Self-Employed Stream in Canada?

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

Can artists, athletes or individuals engaged in cultural activities apply for the Federal Self-Employed Stream in Canada?

Yes, if they are self-employed and plan on being self employed in Canada and have resources to do so then they can apply for this stream.

What are the language requirements for the Federal Self-Employed Stream in Canada?

It is point based stream and you get maximum of 24 points for language ability, so more proficiency means more points and better chances to meeting criteria.

Is there a minimum investment requirement for the Federal Self-Employed Stream in Canada?

No there is no minimum investment needed. However, candidate must have sufficient funds to be able to support himself and his family as a self-employed person.

What is the processing time for the Federal Self-Employed Stream application?

The processing time for self-employed stream is 42 months as of Feb 2023 but it keeps on changing as IRCC reduces its backlog.

Can I include my family members in my application for the Federal Self-Employed Stream in Canada?

Yes, you can include your family members in your application.

Take Your First Step Towards Canada, Get In Touch with Us

Contact Us or Book A Consultation to work with an immigration consultant today!

YOUR NEXT STEP AWAITS