If you want to move to Canada and work as a self-employed person, you will likely need a Canadian self-employed visa, which is an immigration visa to Canada.
Canada’s self-employed program is open to anyone with cultural or sporting experience that allows them to become self-employed.
NOTE: The Government of Canada is no longer accepting agricultural self-employment applications as of March 2018.
However, just one of those occupations is not enough to give your self-employed visa application a chance of being accepted. You must also demonstrate that you have sufficient experience in those two fields to make a significant contribution to Canada.
1. Who is eligible to apply for a Canadian Self-Employed Visa?
You are eligible to apply for a self-employed visa to Canada if you meet the following conditions:
You have enough experience and skills
You must have both the experience and skills necessary to work as a self-employed person in Canada.
The minimum amount of experience required for a self-employed person is two years. You must have acquired this experience within five years before applying.
Because Canadian self-employed visas are assessed using a points system, more experience means more points.
You must have the following experience:
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- Two years of autonomy in cultural/sports activities.
- Two years of participation at world level in cultural/sports activities.
You must meet the points-based selection criteria
The visa officers processing your Canadian self-employed visa application will evaluate you based on a points system. The maximum number of points is 100 and you will need a minimum of 35 points.
They look at:
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- Experience (35 points)
You receive maximum points if you have at least 5 years of experience.
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- Education (25 points)
You receive maximum points if you have a Master or Doctor of Phylosophy Degree and at least 17 years of full-time study.
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- Age (10 points)
You get the maximum number of points if you are between the ages of 21–49. They want people who can contribute to Canadian culture and sport over a longer period of time.
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- Language ability (24 points)
They will assess your ability to write, speak, read and listen in English or French. You can choose the language you are better at as your first official language. You can take a language test from a designated agency such as IELTS or CELPIP for English or TEF Canada or TFC Canada for French.
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- Adaptability (6 points)
You receive adaptive points based on: your spouse’s education level; you previously worked/studied in Canada; you have relatives in Canada. They look at this to see how well you are able to assimilate into Canadian culture.
2. How to apply for a Canadian self-employed visa?
As other Canadian visas, application is done online.
Check your eligibility
Basically, you have to check whether you are eligible for a visa or not based on an online questionnaire on the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If so, they will send you an application package to your email address. The application package includes instructions, an application form and a list of documents you will need. Follow the instructions on the manual.
Fill out forms and compile document files
You must fill out all necessary forms included in the package. Then, if you applied online, upload them to your online application.
If you apply on paper, print them out and sign. Then, collect all the necessary documents and attach them to the application. You will have to send your completed application to the address you will be provided with.
You must also pay the processing fee and attach a copy of the receipt to your application.
Documents include:
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- Standard required documents for all Canadian visa applications.
- Proof of educational status such as certificate, diploma or transcript.
- Proof that you have passed the language test.
- Evidence of relevant work experience.
- Evidence of adaptability
- Copy of travel documents/passport. They must show name, date of birth, photo, expiration date or change in name, date of birth, expiration date, etc.
- Police
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage/divorce certificate or annulment certificate (if married multiple times, provide documents for each time). (If any)
- Death certificate of ex-spouse/common-law partner. (If any)
- If you have a live-in partner: Statutory declaration of the Common Law Union (IMM 5409 – original) and evidence you have lived together for a minimum of 12 months (shared apartment lease, joint bills , the general address on the document.)
- Information about your child such as birth certificate, adoption certificate or proof of custody. (If any).
- National ID or household registration book. (If any)
- Police certificate and license. They must be from every country/territory in which you have lived for six months or more.
- Canadian visa images.
- Receipt of Canadian Visa fee payment.
- If applying as a Quebec-selected applicant: Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ)
See detailed instructions on the Canadian visa application process here.
Make sure you’re not missing any documents, forms, or fees. If so, the visa officer will resend the application to you and ask you to correct any errors/attach any documents you forgot.
You must provide your biometric information
Applicants between 14 and 79 years old must provide their biometric information. This includes fingerprints and photos.
You provide biometric information after submitting your application.
The officers processing your visa application will notify you when they receive your completed application. They will then let you know when you should send your biometric information to them.
You should have paid the biometric fee when you first submitted your application.
You can provide your biometric information at the Canadian visa application center in your country. If you are from the United States, you can do this at the app support center.
3. If your Canadian self-employment visa application is accepted
If you obtain a self-employed visa in Canada, when you arrive in this country, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will be waiting for you.
You must bring your passport and other travel documents, a valid permanent residence visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), as well as proof you can financially support yourself and your family.
The officer will ask you questions to assess whether you are still eligible for a self-employed visa. If you give incomplete or incorrect answers, you may not be allowed to enter the country