Self-employed

The Self Employed Class is created for applicants who have relevant self-employment experience as well as the intention and the ability to create their own employment and make a significant contribution to the cultural, artistic or athletic life of Canada.

To be eligible for immigration as a self-employed person, an applicant must have at least two one-year periods of one of the following types of experience in the period beginning five years before the date of application:

  • Cultural activities:
  1. two one-year periods of experience in self-employment in cultural activities, or
  2. two one-year periods of experience in participation at a world class level in cultural activities, or
  3. a combination of a one-year period of experience described in A above, and a one-year period of experience described in B above.
  • Athletics:
  1. two one-year periods of experience in self-employment in athletics, or
  2. two one-year periods of experience in participation at a world class level in athletics, or
  3. a combination of a one-year period of experience described in 1 above, and a one-year period of experience described in 2 above, and
  • Buying and managing a farm, two one-year periods of experience managing a farm.

Self-employed persons must have the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada and to make significant contributions to cultural activities or athletics, or to purchase and manage a farm.

Selection criteria

To be eligible for selection as business immigrants, applicants must first meet the definition of the class under which they are applying (investor, entrepreneur or self-employed person). Applicants are then assessed against five selection criteria and must obtain a minimum of 35 points.

The selection criteria and maximum points allocated are as follows.

Selection Criteria

Maximum Points

Education

25

Experience

35

Age

10

Proficiency in English or French

24

Adaptability

6

TOTAL

100

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