The Canadian Self-employed Persons Program is also sometimes referred to as the World Class Athletes and Cultural Performers category which we have listed under the Temporary Resident category as it applies to both permanent and temporary residents. It is a stream by which people with much to offer may immigrate to Canada permanently as self-employed persons. They must prove to the Canadian government that they have some relevant contributions to make to the economy or culture.

To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must:

  • have relevant experience
  • be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada
  • meet the program’s selection criteria and
  • meet medical, security, and other conditions
  • show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you get to Canada.

Relevant experience means that you have taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics. You can get more points if you have 3, 4, or 5 years of experience.

For this category, you must have at least two years of experience in your field, during the period starting five years before the day you apply and ending on the day you receive your decision on your application.

At a minimum, your experience must be:

1. for cultural activities:

a) – 2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or

b) – 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or

c) – a combination of a one-year period described in (a) and a one-year period

Canadian immigration program for self-employed persons2. for athletics:

a) – 2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or

b) – 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in athletics, or

c) – a combination of a one-year period described in (1) above, and a one-year period described in (2) above

You are scored out of a possible total of 100 points on the following criteria relating to your suitability for the program: experience, education, age, language abilities, and your ability to adapt to life in Canada.

Education 25 points
Experience 35 points
Age 10 points
Ability in French &/or English 24 points
Adaptability 6 points

Professional Occupations in Art and Culture

5111 Librarians
5112 Conservators and Curators
5113 Archivists
5121 Authors and Writers
5122 Editors
5123 Journalists
5124 Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications
5125 Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters
5131 Producers, Directors, Choreographers, and Related Occupations
5132 Conductors, Composers, and Arrangers
5133 Musicians and Singers
5134 Dancers
5135 Actors and Comedians
5136 Painters, Sculptors, and Other Visual Artists

Technical and Skilled Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation, and Sport

5211 Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants
5212 Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries
5221 Photographers
5222 Film and Video Camera Operators
5223 Graphic Arts Technicians
5224 Broadcast Technicians
5225 Audio and Video Recording Technicians
5226 Other Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts
5227 Support Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts
5231 Announcers and Other Broadcasters
5232 Other Performers
5241 Graphic Designers and Illustrators
5242 Interior Designers
5243 Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers
5244 Artisans and Craftspersons
5245 Patternmakers – Textile, Leather, and Fur Products
5251 Athletes
5252 Coaches
5253 Sports Officials and Referees
5254 Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness

(As of March 10, 2018, applications under the farm management stream of the Self-Employed Persons Program are no longer being accepted. Those applications already in process prior to that date will be promised.)

If you have questions about the Canadian Self-employed Persons Program, just call our team at 001 604-440-6221.