Akaar Immigration Solutions

Self-employed person

The Federal Self-Employed Class is geared towards 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, or to create their own employment by purchasing and managing a farm in Canada.

Examples of professional occupations in art and culture

  • librarians and archivists
  • conservators and curators
  • authors and writers
  • editors and journalists
  • translators, terminologists and interpreters
  • producers, directors, choreographers 
  • musicians and singers
  • actors and comedians
  • painters, sculptors and visual artists
  • photographers
  • film and video camera operators
  • graphic art technicians, designers and illustrators
  • interior designers and decorators
  • artisans and craftspeople
  • athletes and coaches
  • sports officials and referees, etc.

Requirement

A successful applicant is one who has at least two years of relevant experience in:

  1. Self-employment in cultural activities or in athletics; 
  2. Participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics; or 
  3. Farm management experience.

As of March 10, 2018, the federal government is no longer accepting new applications under the farm management stream.

The experience must be acquired in the period beginning five years before the date of the application and ending on the day a determination is made on the application.

In addition, the federal self-employed program operates under a points-based system. In order to qualify, a candidate must obtain minimum of 35 points out of 100 points possible on factors such as: education, experience, age, language ability and adaptability.

To qualify, the applicant must demonstrate a sufficient financial net worth which, although somewhat less than an entrepreneur and not specified in the regulations, should enable the applicant to be self-employed in Canada and make a significant contribution to specified economic activities in Canada and to meet the initial settlement requirements for the applicant and accompanying dependents.

An interview may be required as part of the process, in case the information provided is unclear or there are gaps in the documentation.

Once approved, the application proceeds to Federal security and medical verifications followed by visa issuance with mandatory terms and conditions, within an overall processing delay of approximately 24 months.

 

 Selection criteria

To qualify as a self-employed immigrant, you must:

  • meet the definition of a self-employed person
  • get a minimum of 35 points after we grade you based on our five selection criteria and point system

Your score

Your maximum possible score is 100. The pass mark is currently 35 points, but it may change. Make sure you visit this site regularly if you’re thinking about immigrating to Canada as a self-employed immigrant.

We select candidates based on:

  • the documents that you give us
  • your score under each of the selection criteria
  • you meeting the definition of a self-employed person

As part of the immigration process, we may ask to interview you. During the interview, a visa officer will ask you to explain:

  • information that is unclear or inconsistent
  • shortcomings or gaps in the documents that you provide

If there’s a difference between your statement of your qualifications and the visa officer’s assessment, we’ll award points based on the officer’s decision.

Selection criteria

Maximum points

Your score

Education

25

 

Experience

35

 

Age

10

 

Ability in English and/or French

24

 

Adaptability

6

 

TOTAL

100

 

Points for education: maximum 25 points

Education

Maximum
25 points

You have a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

25 points

You have two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

22 points

You have a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

22 points

You have a university degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

20 points

You have a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

20 points

You have a one-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

15 points

You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

15 points

You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

12 points

You completed high school.

5 points

Points for experience: maximum 35 points

Relevant experience must have been obtained in the period that begins five years before you sign your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.

Two years of relevant experience

20

Three years of relevant experience

25

Four years of relevant experience

30

Five years of relevant experience

35

Points for age: maximum 10 points

You will be awarded selection points based on your age at the time when the visa office receives your application.

Age

Points

16 or under

0

17

2

18

4

19

6

20

8

21–49

10

50

8

51

6

52

4

53

2

54+

0

Points for language ability: maximum 24 points

Your proficiency in English or French is one of the 5 selection factors. You’ll be awarded up to 24 points for your basic, moderate or high proficiency in English and French. You’ll be given points based on your ability to:

  • listen
  • speak
  • read and
  • write

If you have some proficiency in both English and French, decide which language you’re more comfortable using. This is your first official language. The other is your second official language.

You must prove the level of language proficiency you claim on your application if you wish to have your official language proficiency considered in the assessment of your application for permanent residence.  

 

Points for adaptability: maximum 6 points

A maximum of 6 points for adaptability can be earned by any combination of the following elements.

Adaptability

Maximum 6
points

Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education

  • Secondary school (high school) diploma or less: 0 points
  • A one-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 3 points
  • A two or three-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 4 points
  • A master’s degree or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 5 points

3–5

Previous work in Canada
You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a minimum of one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit.

 

5

Previous study in Canada
You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a program of full-time study of at least two years’ duration at a post-secondary institution in Canada. You must have done this after you were 17 years old and with a valid study permit.

There’s no need to have obtained a degree or diploma for these two years of study to earn these points.

 

5

Relatives in Canada
You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, have a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who is residing in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

 

5