To qualify for the Self-Employed Class in Canada, applicants must demonstrate at least two years of relevant experience in cultural activities, athletics, or farm management (for applications submitted before March 10, 2018). This experience must fall within the five-year period prior to the application date and extend until a final decision is made on the application for permanent residency. Eligible experience includes either two one-year periods of self-employment in cultural activities, two one-year periods of participation at a world-class level in cultural activities, or a combination of both. Similarly, for athletics, the required experience can be met by either two one-year periods of self-employment in athletics, two one-year periods of participation at a world-class level in athletics, or a combination of both. What is Self-Employment? The Self-Employed Class section of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC“) website does not describe what self-employment is. However, the Canadian Experience Class section of the website provides the following: Determining an applicant’s employment status Applicants under the CEC must satisfy a CIC officer that they meet all program requirements [R87.1]. Any period of self-employment shall not be included in calculating the period of qualifying work experience under the CEC [R87.1(3)(b)]. As such, the … Read More