Self-Employed Program
Self-Employed Immigration Program applicants must have at least 2 years (out of the last 5) of relevant experience plus have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada and make a significant contribution to specified economic activities in Canada.
This experience and intended occupation must have been one of the following types
Self-employed in cultural activities or athletics
Participation at a “world-class level” in cultural activities or athletics
Farming
Types of Self-Employed People
Librarians, Archivists, Conservators and Curators
Authors, Writers, Editors, Journalists, Public Relations and Communications Professionals
Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters
Creative and Performing Artists, Announcers, Producers, Directors, Choreographers, Conductors, Composers, Arrangers, Musicians, Singers, Dancers, Actors, Comedians, Painters, Sculptors, etc
Photographers, Film and Video Camera Operators, Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts
Graphic Designers, Graphic Arts Technicians, Illustrators, Interior Designers, designers for Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit
Artisans, Craftspersons, Patternmakers for Textile, Leather and Fur Products
Athletes, Coaches, Referees, instructors and program leaders in Recreation, Sport and Fitness
Financial Requirements
Although there are no minimum financial requirements an applicant's financial assets are important to show intent and ability to establish economically in Canada. Applicants must have sufficient funds to create an employment opportunity for themselves and maintain themselves and their family members. They must prove they have been able to support themselves and their family through their talents and would be likely to continue to do so in Canada. This includes the ability to be self-supporting until the self-employment has been created.
Eligible Self-Employed Occupations
511 Librarians, Archivists, Conservators and Curators
5111 Librarians
5112 Conservators and Curators
5113 Archivists
512 Writing, Translating and Public Relations Professionals
5121 Authors and Writers
5122 Editors
5123 Journalists
5124 Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications
5125 Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters
513 Creative and Performing Artists
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
521 Technical Occupations in Libraries, Archives, Museums and Art Galleries
5211 Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants
5212 Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries
522 Photographers, Graphic Arts Technicians and Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts
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 & Performing Arts
523 Announcers and Other Performers
5231 Announcers and Other Broadcasters
5232 Other Performers
524 Creative Designers and Craftspersons
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
525 Athletes, Coaches, Referees and Related Occupations
5251 Athletes
5252 Coaches
5253 Sports Officials and Referees
5254 Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness
