Canada respects people from all over the world and different occupations to be a part of the country. Therefore, the government of Canada has launched immigration programs targeting different occupations and immigrants from different countries.
There are plenty of immigration programs for federal skilled workers, federal trades class, technical workers, and almost for every kind of occupation. More specifically, those immigration programs comply with all requirements of applicants.
In the case of applicants, where they do not wish to be a Canadian permanent resident or citizen under the famous pathways, there are also opportunities for self-employed persons.
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About the program
The immigrants from all over the world can become Canadian citizens and permanent residents by immigration as self-employed persons in Canada. The Self-employed Persons Program allow the applicants to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person.
For this program, the interested candidates must have:
- Relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics
- They must be willing to provide a significant contribution to the cultural and athletic sector of Canada
With the help of this stream, the applicants can become permanent residents of Canada by showing their interest in Canada’s cultural and athletic life.
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Who can apply?
In this program, self-employed persons, including farmers, international and professional athletes, or individuals from the arts and culture sector, can apply. Moreover, the applicants have to provide a valid and pragmatic demonstration of their interest that they possess the potential to become self-employed persons in Canada.
Afterward, they become eligible for the business visa; along with it, they are also required to meet the minimum requirements of the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program.
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Eligibility
For the interested aspirants, they have to fulfill some requirements to apply for this stream. The eligibility for this program includes:
- The applicants must possess relevant experience (Defined Below).
- The applicants must be willing to live in Canada as self-employed people.
- They must meet the selection criteria for this program.
- They should fulfill the medical, security, and other conditions.
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Relevant Experience
The relevant experience for a self-employed person should be of at least two years. Along with it, the relevant experience must be within the past five years of applying date. In addition to it, as the experience of candidates increases, they get more points in the ranking system.
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Minimum Experience for Cultural Activities
The applicants intending to become permanent residents as self-employed persons in Canada have to demonstrate a minimum work experience in the cultural and athletic sector. For the applicants having a cultural background, their experience must be:
- For Related Cultural Activities:
- Two one-year periods as self-employed in cultural activities,
or
- Two one-year periods of participation at an international level in cultural activities,
or
- a combination of a one-year period described in either the 1st condition or in the 2nd
Self-employed individuals interested in owning and operating a farm must have two years of farm management experience within the five years before their application. With the exception of Quebec, which has its own self-employed immigration scheme, all applicants to the Federal Self-Employed Program must plan to reside in any Canadian province or territory.
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Minimum Experience for Athletics
The minimum experience for related athletes or related activities include:
- For Athletics:
- Two one-year periods being self-employed in athletics sector,
or
- Two one-year periods of participation at an international level in athletics,
or
- a combination of a one-year period described in the 1st condition or in 2nd
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Selection Factors
If you want to obtain permanent residence in Canada by being a self-employed person, then this program is the best option. Certain assessment factors are primarily involved in the eligibility of this stream. Moreover, after meeting these requirements, the applicants are graded on a point system that assesses their eligibility for this stream.
The selection factors are:
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Experience
The skillset of candidates matters a lot in the case of this application. If the candidates possess a firm grip over a specific field of work, then it puts an impacting impression on the profile. Moreover, candidates having unique skills often get early approval in their application.
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Language Proficiency
The applicants are required to undertake the approved language tests for the language proficiency checkup. The language tests are for the assessment of the candidates in the following sectors of the English or French language:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
The minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all the abilities is required. The test must be taken within the previous 2 years, and the test should be valid when you apply for the application.
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Nationality
The nationality can also matter in the evaluation factors, but it does not have a heavy weightage in the assessment.
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Education
The educational degrees and certificates are awarded points according to the level. Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees are given points, the candidates with more years of education are awarded more points.
For education, a Canadian high school diploma or any foreign equivalent degree is required. In the case of foreign education, the candidates are required to undergo an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). There are various degree assessment organizations from where you can get an equivalency of your degree.
These credential assessment bodies in Canada can provide equivalence:
- WES
- ICAS
- IQAS
- CES
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Work Experience
Depending upon the verified work experience duration, the candidates are awarded points that help them rank.
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Age
The age of the applicant also has an impression on the awarding system.
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Adaptability
Some other factors too affect the point system, and with their help, the points are also increased.
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Selection Factors of FSW:
If the candidates meet the eligibility requirements for this stream, then they can apply for the program. The candidates are assessed on the various selection factors under a 100-point grid. The applicants get points on the following six factors described below. The eligibility point grid of this program is:
| Eligibility Factors | Points |
| Language Proficiency | 24 |
| Education | 25 |
| Age | 10 |
| Work Experience | 35 |
| Adaptability | 6 |
| Score: | 100 |
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Age
The points breakdown according to the age of the candidates is:
| Age | Points |
| Under 16 | 0 |
| 17 | 2 |
| 18 | 4 |
| 19 | 6 |
| 20 | 8 |
| 21-49 | 10 |
| 50 | 8 |
| 51 | 6 |
| 52 | 4 |
| 53 | 2 |
| 54+ | 0 |
| Maximum | 10 |
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Education
The points breakdown according to the different levels of education is described:
| Education Level | Points |
| Master’s, Ph.D., and at least 17 years of full-time equivalent study. | 25 |
| Two or more university degrees (Bachelor’s) and 15 years of full-time equivalent study. | 22 |
| Three years of diplomas, trade certificates or apprenticeships, and 15 years of full-time equivalent study. | 22 |
| University degree or two years or more and 14 years of full-time equivalent study. | 20 |
| Diploma (2 years), trade certificate or apprenticeship, and 14 years of full-time equivalent study. | 20 |
| University Degree (1 year) and 13 years of full-time equivalent study. | 15 |
| Diploma (1 year), trade certificate or apprenticeship, and 13 years of full-time equivalent study. | 15 |
| Diploma (1 year), trade certificate or apprenticeship, and 12 years of full-time equivalent study. | 12 |
| High School | 5 |
| Maximum | 25 |
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Work Experience
The applicants can get points for the number of years they have done full-time paid work. The work experience will be counted as it is:
| Relevant Work Experience | Maximum 35 points |
| Two years | 20 |
| Three years | 25 |
| Four years | 30 |
| Five years or more | 35 |
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Language Proficiency
The applicants should be proficient in the official language of Canada that are: English and French. The candidates can get a maximum of 24 points in language skills in English and French.
The candidates undertake the language proficiency test, i.e., IELTS. To measure English proficiency, the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is used. The score breakdown is described below.
Points:
First Official Language (Maximum 24 points IELTS)
| First Official Language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| High Ability | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Moderate Ability | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Basic Ability | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Low Proficiency | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Adaptability
The candidates and their spouse or common-law partner can have points for adaptability.
| Adaptability | Maximum 6 points |
| Spouse’s level of education
· Secondary school diploma or less · Diploma (1 year), trade certificate or apprenticeship, and 13 years of full-time equivalent study. · Diploma (2 or 3 years), trade certificate or apprenticeship, and 14 years of full-time equivalent study. · Master’s, Ph.D., and at least 17 years of full-time equivalent study. |
0 Points 3 Points
4
5 |
Previous Work in CanadaYou and your accompanying partner have completed one year of full-time work or a job in Canada. |
5 |
Previous Study in CanadaYou and your spouse have completed a full-time study of at least two years of duration at a post-secondary institution in Canada. |
5 |
| Relatives in Canada
The applicant or spouse has a relative who is: · living in Canada · 18 years or above (Canadian citizen) The relative must be: · parent · grandparent · child · grandchild · your or spouse’s sibling · your or spouse’s aunt or uncle · your or spouse’s niece or nephew |
5 |
For a total score of 100 points, applicants are given points for their education (25), experience (35), age (10), language proficiency (24), and adaptability (6). A minimum passing score of 35 will be required of successful candidates. However, this is subject to change. Candidates will be chosen based on their overall scores, the papers they submit with their application, and whether they satisfy Canada’s self-employment requirements.
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