Canada Business Immigration - Self-Employed Person

Print E-mail

The Self-Employed Persons Program is open only to individuals with prior self employed experience as farmers, athletes (at an international level), or artisans.


To qualify for business immigration to Canada under the Self-Employed Persons Program, an applicant must demonstrate an intention and ability to establish or purchase a business in Canada that will keep him or her employed and make a "significant" contribution to the economy or the cultural or artistic life of Canada.

Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed business will generate sufficient revenues to support the applicant and his or her dependents. Farmers, artisans, sports personalities, actors, artists, etc. are examples of applicants who may qualify.

Assessment in the Self-Employed Persons Program is based upon:
  • Business ability and experience (when applying under the economic contribution component of the Self-Employed description)
  • Artistic qualifications (when applying under the artistic/cultural component of the Self-Employed description)
  • Net worth (sufficient to establish/purchase the proposed business)