Immigration to Canada under the Federal Self-employed Program
Canada welcomes tens of thousands of immigrants every year. A large group of those people immigrate to Canada under Federal programs. These programs target the individuals who want to live in any province or territory of Canada but Quebec. Some of these immigrants are self-employed people. The Federal Government of Canada currently accepts two groups of self-employed applicants.
<<Read: What is happening with the Start-up Visa and Self-employed Class applications 2021>>
Main criteria for Self-employed immigration
To succeed under each category, a person needs to meet the following criteria (sections 88(1) and 100 to 105 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations):
- At least two years of acceptable self-employment or international activity in the qualifying period
- The ability and intent to establish their self-employment business in Canada
- The ability to contribute to the Canadian economy because of their future business activities in our country
- Collecting enough points from the selection grid
The qualifying period begins five years before applying to the immigration authorities and ends when an officer decides the case. For example, if you submitted your application on June 1, 2019, and the officer decided on your case on October 5, 2020, the qualifying period is from June 1, 2014, to October 5, 2020. It is impossible to predict the date an officer decides on the case. Consequently, you need to submit your documents only when you have accumulated at least two years of satisfactory work experience.
Selection points for Self-employed immigration
The selection points do not play an essential role in this method of immigration. You only need 35 points out of 100 points to succeed. However, almost all refusals refer to the first three criteria (i.e. experience, ability and intent, and significant contribution). Here is a brief breakdown of the selections points:
- Education – up to 25 points
- Experience – up to 35 points
- Age – up to 10 points
- Ability in English or French languages – up to 24 points
- Adaptability (education or work in Canada, educated spouse or common-law partner, or having a qualifying family member in Canada) – up to 6 points
Learn more about Self-employed immigration
To know more about this method of immigration, read the following articles. I will add more to this list in the future.
- Immigration to Canada for Artists, Performers, and Self-employed People in Cultural Activities
- Immigration to Canada for Athletes, Coaches, and Athletic Events Organizers
- Minimum Income Self-employed Immigration Canada
The self-employed program is not an easy method of application. It targets professionals only. If you do not qualify for any other stream of immigration to Canada, you may not replace them with this option. In other words, this method is not for someone who knows how to play the piano or play basketball. It is for professional pianists and basketball players. I have represented several applicants in this group since 2011. Take my words and apply only if you meet the requirements.
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Al Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor, Queen’s University Faculty of Law
Instructor, Ashton College, Immigration Consulting Program
Author of 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada and Inadmissibility to Canada for Human Rights Violations
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