THE CANADIAN FEDERAL SELF-EMPLOYED PROGRAM

This program is paused until January 2027

International self-employed professionals, including athletes and those in the arts and culture sector, who can demonstrate the potential for successful self-employment in Canada may qualify for a business immigration visa, provided they meet the criteria set out by the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program.

Unlike other business immigration streams that require applicants to invest personal funds into a company or secure funding from private organizations, the Federal Self-Employed Program primarily requires candidates to demonstrate their professional experience and evidence of their ability to be self-employed.

To qualify for the Federal Self-Employed Program, applicants must meet specific experience criteria:

• They must have at least two years of relevant work experience within their industry in the five years preceding their application.
• For professional athletes and individuals in the arts and culture sectors, proof of either two years of self-employment in their field, two years of participation at a world-class level, or a combination of one year in each is required.

Additionally, applicants must plan to settle in any Canadian province or territory, excluding Quebec, which has its own self-employed immigration program.