Self-Employed Persons Program
Overview
The Self-Employed Persons Program provides a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for people with relevant experience in cultural activities (arts, film, performing arts), athletics (at the world-class level), or farm management. Applicants must have the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada and must score at least 35 points on a selection grid assessing experience, education, age, language, and adaptability. The program does not operate through Express Entry — it is a separate stream.
Program status — paused: The Self-Employed Persons Program stopped accepting new applications on April 30, 2024. The pause has been extended until further notice due to a backlog of existing applications and processing times that had grown to beyond four years. IRCC is processing backlog applications while assessing options for reforming the program. A new targeted entrepreneur pilot program has been indicated but not yet announced. For the current status, refer to the IRCC Self-Employed Persons Program page.
Farm management stream closed: The farm management stream was closed on March 10, 2018. No new farm management applications have been accepted since that date.
The Self-Employed Persons Program is one of the smaller and more specialised immigration pathways. It is distinct from the Start-Up Visa Program (which is for innovative entrepreneurs seeking investment) and from Express Entry (which is for skilled workers in the general labour market).
Eligibility
Qualifying categories
- Cultural activities: has at least 2 years of experience in cultural activities at a world-class level, or has participated as a self-employed person in cultural activities at a world-class level (does not need to be competitive — professional artists qualify)
- Athletics: has at least 2 years of experience in athletics at a world-class level, or has participated as a self-employed person in athletics at a world-class level; or is a coach or trainer of such athletes
- Farm management: has at least 2 years of experience in farm management; the person intends to purchase and manage a farm in Canada
Selection criteria points grid (minimum 35 points)
| Factor | Maximum points |
|---|---|
| Experience (cultural/athletic/farm) | 35 |
| Education | 25 |
| Age | 10 |
| Language abilities | 20 |
| Adaptability | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
A minimum of 35 out of 100 points is required. Most of the available points are in the "experience" category — a world-class athlete or artist with 4+ years of experience earns the full 35 experience points.
Intention and ability to be self-employed
The applicant must demonstrate a genuine intention and ability to create their own employment in Canada. For cultural and athletic applicants, this means sustaining a career in their field in Canada. For farm management applicants, this means purchasing and operating a farm.
Selection criteria
Application process
Application process
- Assess whether experience and selection grid score meets the requirements
- Obtain language test results (there is no formal CLB minimum but language is scored on the grid)
- Submit an Expression of Interest to IRCC
- If invited, submit a complete permanent residence application
The Self-Employed program does not use Express Entry. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis (subject to IRCC intake management). Processing times are typically 24–36 months or longer.