The Self-employed Persons Program permits people to immigrate to Canada permanently as self-employed persons. 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
Eligibility
To immigrate as a self-employed person, you should:
- have relevant experience
- be prepared 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:
- take 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 involves a minimum of two years of experience. It should be throughout the period beginning five years before the day you apply and ending on the day a decision was made 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:
- Two one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
- Two one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
- a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)
- for athletics:
- Two one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
- Two one-year periods participating at a world-class level in athletics, or
- 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 involve your:
- experience
- education
- age
- language abilities
- adaptability
Medical, security checks, and other requirements
You and your family members should have a medical exam and get police certificates. You should also demonstrate that you have enough money to provide for yourself and your family when you get to Canada.
The Start-up Visa Program aims for immigrant entrepreneurs with the aptitudes and ability to create businesses in Canada which:
- are innovative
- can create jobs for Canadians
- can compete on a global scale
Eligibility
To be qualified for the Start-up Visa Program, you should:
- have a qualifying business
- get a letter of support from a designated organization
- meet the language requirements
- bring enough money to settle
Have a qualifying business implies you established a business that meets the subsequent requirements.
- At the time you get a commitment from a selected organization:
- each candidate holds 10% or more of the voting rights affixed to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time (up to 5 people can apply as owners)
- candidates and the selected organization jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights affixed to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time
- At the time you receive your permanent residence:
- you deliver committed and continuing management of this business from inside Canada
- an important part of the operations of the business occurs in Canada
- this business is incorporated in Canada
Get a letter of support from a selected organization
You must get a letter of support from a selected organization (a business group that has been authorized to invest in or support possible start-ups). You’ll need to:
- contact the selected organization to find out how to get its support
- persuade the organization that you have a business idea that is worth adopting
- get a letter of support from the selected organization
The procedure to pitch your idea is unique for each organization. Each organization has its own conditions. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a comprehensive business plan. If you reach an arrangement with a selected organization, it will deliver you a letter of support. You should include this letter when you submit your application. This is the evidence you need to demonstrate that the venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator is endorsing your business idea. The organization will also send a commitment certificate directly. Both your letter of support and the organization’s commitment certificate to evaluate your application. Please note, you may be asked for more business information in order to make a final ruling on your application. If you don’t include the letter of support or meet any of the other requirements, your application will be refused
Did you know?
While your application for permanent residence is being processed, you can apply for a temporary work permit to get to Canada and start building your business.
Meet the language requirements
The capability to converse and work in English, French, or both languages will assist your business to succeed in Canada. You should take a language test from an approved agency and incorporate the results with your application, or it will not be processed. You should meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French in all of these four areas:
- speaking
- reading
- listening
- writing
Use your test results to find your CLB level. If you don’t meet the minimum language skills, your application will be refused.
Bring enough money to settle
The Government of Canada does not give financial support to new start-up visa immigrants. When you apply, you’ll need to give proof that you have the money to support yourself and your dependents after you arrive in Canada. You can’t borrow this money from another person.
