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Last updated on June 5th, 2019

Canada’s Self-Employed Class seeks to attract to Canada individuals who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have either:

• relevant experience that will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada or
• experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

The farm management component of the program closed on March 10, 2018.

Eligibility – Athletics and Cultural Experience

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) website states that to qualify for the Self-Employed Program applicants must show that they:

• have relevant experience;
• intend and be able to be self-employed in Canada; and
• can contribute to Canada’s economy in one of the required areas.

“Relevant experience” under the Self-Employed Program means at least two years of experience during the period starting five years before a person applies for permanent residence and ending by the time the visa is issued. The experience must be:

• 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 (1.) above, and a one-year period described in (2.) above.

• 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 (1.) above, and a one-year period described in (2.) above.

What Are Cultural Activities? 

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