Self-employed Persons

Qualifications for Self-employment Program

 Two main categories: cultural activities, and athletics.

Five factors for self-employed immigrants

  • at least two years experience of participation in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level;
  • at least two years experience of self-employment in cultural activities or athletics; or
  • Must score at least 35 points out of 100.
  • Medical exams, security risk assessments, and sufficient settlement funds

                                                 Selection Factor 

Selection Factor Maximum Number of Points
Age 10
Education 25
Language proficiency in official languages (s 79) 24
Business experience

5 years: 35 points

4 years: 30 points

3 years: 25 points

2 years: 20 points

 35
Adaptability

Education of spouse or common-law partner: 3 to 5 points

Previous work in Canada (applicant or spouse)—One-year full-time work in Canada: 5 points (self-employed)

A previous study in Canada (applicant or spouse)—Two years

full-time post-secondary studies in Canada: 5 points

(self-employed)

A family member in Canada: 5 points (self-employed)

 6
Pass Mark 35/100

Age 

Age Points
21 or older but less than 50 10
20 or 50 years 8
19 or 51 years old 6
18 or 52 years old 4
17 or 53 years old 2
under 17 years of age or
over 54 years of age		 0

Relevant experience within five years preceding the date of application

Experience Maximum Points
Two year of relevant experience 20
Three years of relevant experience 25
Four years of relevant experience 30
Five years of relevant experience 35

Education points 

EDUCATION

Credential and number of years of education

 Maximum Points
Secondary school educational credential (e.g., diploma) 5
One-year post-secondary educational credential, other than a university educational credential, and a total of at least 12 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies. 12
One-year post-secondary educational credential, other than a university educational credential, and a total of at least 13 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies,

OR

One-year university educational credential at the bachelor’s level and a total of at least 13 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies.

 15
A two-year post-secondary educational credential, other than a university educational credential, and a total of at least 14 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies,

OR

Two-year university educational credential at the bachelor’s level and a total of at least 14 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies.

 20
Three-year post-secondary educational credential, other than a university educational credential, and a total of at least 15 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies,

OR

Two or more university educational credentials at the bachelor’s level and a total of at least 15 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies.

 22
University educational credential at the master’s or doctoral level and a total of at least 17 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies. 25

Minimum language requirements: must achieve the basic level of fluency in each ability(First Official Language) 

Proficiency Benchmark Speak  Listen  Read  Write Max
High 8 or higher 4 4 4 4 16
Moderate 6 or 7 2 2 2 2 8
Basic 4 or 5 1 1 1 1 2
No 3 or lower 0 0 0 0 0

Minimum language requirements: must achieve the basic level of fluency in each ability(Second Official Language)

Proficiency Benchmark Speak  Listen  Read  Write Max
High 8 or higher 2 2 2 2 8
Moderate 6 or 7 2 2 2 2 8
Basic 4 or 5 1 1 1 1 2
No 3 or lower 0 0 0 0 0

Adaptability

Adaptability Max Points
Educational credential of the spouse, common-law partner (a) for a spouse or common law partner who would be awarded 25 points, 5 points;

(b) for a spouse or common-law partner who would be awarded 20 or 22 points, 4 points; and

(c) for a spouse or common-law partner who would be awarded 12 or 15 points, 3 points.

 3–5
Previous study in Canada of the  principal applicant, spouse, common-law partner On or after their 17th birthday, completed a program of full-time study of at least two years’ duration at a post-secondary institution in Canada under a study permit, whether or not they obtained an educational credential for completing that program. 5
Past work in Canada by the principal applicant, spouse or common-law partner Engaged in at least one year of full-time work in Canada under a work permit. 5
Family relationships in Canada The principal applicant or his accompanying spouse or common-law partner is related to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is their father or mother; the father or mother of their father or mother; their child; a child of their child; a child of their father or mother; a child of the father or mother of their father or mother, other than their father or mother;  or a child of the child of their father or mother. 5

Qualifying Activities for Self-Employed Persons

Professional Occupations in Art and Culture

   
5111 Librarians
5112 Conservators and Curators
5113 Archivists
5121 Authors and Writers
5122 Editors
5123 Journalists
5124 Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications
5125 Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters
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

Technical and Skilled Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

   
5211 Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants
5212 Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries
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 and the Performing Arts
5231 Announcers and Other Broadcasters
5232 Other Performers
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
5251 Athletes
5252 Coaches, trainers
5253 Sports Officials and Referees
5254 Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness