Self-Employment Visa | What to Know Before You Apply

The self-employment visa is one of the most flexible working visas in the world. More people will benefit from applying to Canada through this route and take advantage of the benefits it offers. This new program allows immigrants to work in Canada for up to two years and sponsor others to do the same. As well, it addresses the growing problem of unemployment and skill shortages in Canada. Find out how to immigrate to Canada with this program.

How the Self-Employment Visa Compares to a Regular Work Permit

Not every self-employed person will be eligible to immigrate to Canada under this visa route. This program is for people who work in a specific area such as Arts, Culture and Sports. For example, people in sports like athletes, coaches, referees, and those who compete in professional sports. And other examples include:

• Painters

• Writers

• Actors

• Graphic designers, and many more.

You can find more information about who can apply here.

Requirements to Apply

There are five requirements you have to meet before you can apply:

2. Experience:

This is the most significant area to qualify. You must have at least two years of experience in the past five years. And importantly, you must meet the work experience requirement at the time you apply and when the decision is made.  In other words, you must have ongoing work experience while you apply for the self-employed program.

You will receive:

• 20 points if you have a minimum of two years experience in the past five years

• 35 points if you have five years experience in the past five years.

5. Adaptability: 

If you have previous study or work experience in Canada, you can receive up to 6 points. If your spouse has completed the language proficiency test in English or French. Points will also be awarded if you have relatives in Canada who are either permanent residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. 

SELECTION CRITERIA	MAXIMUM POINTS
Education	25
Experience	35
Age	10
English and/or French ability	24
Adaptability	6
Total: Applicants must score a minimum of 35 points	100

What’s the Difference Between a Regular Work Permit and a Self-employment Visa?

Canada has several different types of work permits that are based on your:

• occupation, and

• reason for entering the country.

Applicants can choose between two of the regular work permits:

1. Employer-specific work permit: 

This permit will allow you to work in Canada based on conditions such as:

• the name of the specific employer or organization you’re allowed to work for

• the duration of the employment contract

• the locations where you can work (if applicable).

When applying for employer-specific work permits, the employer will have to give you either:

• a copy of a Labour Market Impact Assessment, or

• an employment contract as it’d be needed in your application.

2. Open work permit:

You can only get an open work permit in specific situations. Applicants with an open work permit can work for any employer in Canada. However, some companies are ineligible because they have failed to comply with conditions.

Is This Program Right for You?

There are perks to applying for your visa through this route. For example some advantages are that applicants don’t:

• require a job offer to apply

• have conditions on their status

• need to set up or purchase a business in Canada before their arrival.  

As well, successful applicants are granted Canadian Permanent Residence. The program also has a relatively quick processing time of about 18 to 22 months.

Documents that You Require to Apply

 All the documents will open with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

1. Generic Canadian Application Form: (IMM 0008) 

2. Schedule A: Background/Declaration Form: (IMM 5669) 

3. Additional Dependants/Declaration Form: (IMM 0008DEP) (if applicable) 

4. Schedule 5: Declaration of Intent to Reside in Quebec: Economic Classes Form

5. Schedule 6A Business Immigrants: Self-employed persons Form

6. Additional Family Information: (IMM 5406) 

7. Use of a Representative: (IMM 5476) 

Be sure to complete all forms and date and sign the original forms.

DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST 

Federal Self-Employed Class:

If applying to the Federal Self-employed Class and claiming points for any selection factors, you must submit these additional documents:

8.Education: Proof of your earned educational credential(s) or full-time (or full-time equivalent) studies 

9. Language proficiency test results:  Test results can be no older than two years at the time that you apply and must be from one of the designated testing agencies: 

• IELTS
• CELPIP
• TEF

 10. Relevant experience: Proof of your work experience during the five years before you submit your application (i.e. employment letters, ID cards, etc.)

11. Adaptability: If applicable, submit the following proof of your spouse or common-law partner’s:

• earned educational credentials or full-time studies (or full-time equivalent)

• studies in Canada under a study permit, if the program was full-time and of at least two years’ duration at a post-secondary institution; 

• work in Canada under a work permit, if work was full-time and of at least one year 

• familial relationship to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada. The family member must be your parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt/uncle or niece/nephew, or that of your spouse or common-law partner. 

Things to Know Before You Apply for the Self-employment Visa

Have you made up your mind to apply? Here are other things to know:

Where do you apply for this visa?

When you have filled out all the required documents and paid the fees, mail all documents and payment receipt to the following address. Be sure to attach enough postage.

Processing Duration: The average processing time for this visa route is 24 months. However, this will depend on how fast the IRCC is processing applications.

Payments and Fees:  The total fees for the program are structured into two parts. The Business Immigration Application ($1,575) and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee ($500)

• Spouse/Partner Application Fee: $825

• Spouse/Partner RPRF: $500

• Dependents: additional $225 per dependent.

Three Steps to Apply for the Self Employed Visa Program

Step 1: Gather the application package: It’s available on the IRCC website. And you’ll get a guide and a document checklist to make sure you meet all the requirements.

Step 2: Pay your application fees. You must pay these fees before you submit your application:

• processing fee

• right of permanent residence fee (RPRF)

• biometrics fee, and

• Third-party fees (medical exams, police certificates, and language testing).

Step 3: Submit your application.

You are ready to submit your application when you answer all questions, sign all forms, pay fees, and include supporting documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to qualify under the self-employed visa program?

To be eligible you must:

• have a minimum of two years of relevant experience

• prove that you will be self-employed in Canada, and

• Score at least 35 point on the IRCC selection grid.

The points help to determine your prospects to contribute to Canada’s economy.

What do I need to prove self-employed work experience?

1. Business Registration documents such as articles of incorporation or other evidence of business ownership.

2. Evidence of self-employment income.

3. Reference letters from third parties (i.e. clients or vendors) outlining the services that you provided and the payments they made. 

4. Translations of all your documents in English or French made by a certified translator must be notarized.

Tip: The more documents, the better. The goal is to ensure that the immigration officers have no doubts as to the nature of your work, competence, and desire to be self-employed in Canada.

Is there a minimum investment required for Federal Self-Employed Immigration?

There is no minimum investment required for this program. The program is unlike Entrepreneur immigration and because this is a self-employment program, you don’t need to set up a corporation or hire employees. You just need to be self-employed.

I have artists or athletes as employees, but I am not an artist or an athlete. Am I eligible for the Federal Self-Employed program?

No. But you might be eligible for Entrepreneur Immigration programs of different provinces. However, you also have to meet the minimum net worth and investment requirements.

How long does it take to immigrate to Canada through the Federal Self-Employed program?

21 months these days. But it has taken several years in the past.

Still want to be your own boss in Canada? The self-employment visa route could be a great option for those who are not qualified for regular work permits.

For more information, tools, free webinars, and more visit our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. Get the help you need to achieve your career goals in Canada!