Status: Paused \u274c | <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Self-Employed Persons Program is paused, IRCC stopped accepting new applications on April 30, 2024. The pause runs until January 2027. During the pause, IRCC is finishing files already in the system and reviewing the program. The pause and related measures were announced to reduce backlogs and improve processing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Self-Employed Persons Program is a federal permanent residence<\/a> pathway for people in culture or athletics who can work for themselves in Canada and add to Canada\u2019s cultural or athletic life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program lets Self-Employed Persons in cultural activities or athletics apply for permanent residence (PR). You must have relevant experience and the intent and ability to keep working as self-employed in Canada and make a significant contribution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Farm management is not part of the program anymore. That stream closed in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To qualify (when intake reopens), Self-Employed Persons must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n IRCC says cultural activities include jobs in Canada\u2019s artistic and cultural fields. Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n IRCC only gives examples of cultural\/athletic roles, and these are examples, not a closed list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n IRCC uses 5 factors, up to 100 points total. The pass mark is 35 points (this can change).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Factors and maximum points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n IRCC\u2019s Help Centre also confirms that language test evidence is required for files on or after March 3, 2011, so your skills are counted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Relevant experience means at least two one-year periods within the 5-year window before you apply, up to the decision date. It can be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n More years = more points (2 years = 20 pts, 3 = 25, 4 = 30, 5 = 35).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Most cultural or sports jobs are not regulated. Some roles are regulated (for example, certain instructors\/coaches or design\/design-adjacent professions in some provinces). In Canada, many occupations are regulated by provinces\/territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your role is regulated where you plan to live, you may need a licence or certificate from the local regulator before you can use the protected title or work in that occupation. Use CICIC <\/a>to check if your job is regulated and to find the right authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This checklist helps you prepare so you can move fast when intake restarts (or respond to IRCC requests if you already applied)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Identity & civil status<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s Canada\u2019s Self-Employed Persons Program?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who Is Eligible for the Self-Employed Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Eligible Occupations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t \nCategory<\/th> Occupation<\/th> NOC Code<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\t Professional Occupations in Art and Culture<\/td> Librarians<\/td> 5111<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Conservators and Curators<\/td> 5112<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Archivists<\/td> 5113<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Authors and Writers<\/td> 5121<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Editors<\/td> 5122<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Journalists<\/td> 5123<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications<\/td> 5124<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters<\/td> 5125<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Occupations<\/td> 5131<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Conductors, Composers and Arrangers<\/td> 5132<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Musicians and Singers<\/td> 5133<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Dancers<\/td> 5134<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Actors and Comedians<\/td> 5135<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artists<\/td> 5136<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Technical and Skilled Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport<\/td> Library and Public Archive Technicians<\/td> 5211<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries<\/td> 5212<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Photographers<\/td> 5221<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Film and Video Camera Operators<\/td> 5222<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Graphic Arts Technicians<\/td> 5223<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Broadcast Technicians<\/td> 5224<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Audio and Video Recording Technicians<\/td> 5225<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Other Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts<\/td> 5226<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Support Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts<\/td> 5227<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Announcers and Other Broadcasters<\/td> 5231<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Other Performers<\/td> 5232<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Graphic Designers and Illustrators<\/td> 5241<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Interior Designers and Interior Decorators<\/td> 5242<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers<\/td> 5243<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Artisans and Craftspersons<\/td> 5244<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Patternmakers \u2013 Textile, Leather and Fur Products<\/td> 5245<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Athletes<\/td> 5251<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Coaches<\/td> 5252<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Sports Officials and Referees<\/td> 5253<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness<\/td> 5254<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n Selection Factors (Point Grid)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t \nFactor<\/th> Criteria<\/th> Points<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\t Education (max 25 pts)<\/td> Master\u2019s\/PhD + \u226517 years study<\/td> 25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Two+ bachelor\u2019s degrees + \u226515 years study<\/td> 22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 3-year diploma\/trade\/apprenticeship + \u226515 years study<\/td> 22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Bachelor\u2019s (\u22652 years) + \u226514 years study<\/td> 20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 2-year diploma\/trade\/apprenticeship + \u226514 years study<\/td> 20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 1-year bachelor\u2019s + \u226513 years study<\/td> 15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 1-year diploma\/trade\/apprenticeship + \u226513 years study<\/td> 15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 1-year diploma\/trade\/apprenticeship + \u226512 years study<\/td> 12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t High school diploma<\/td> 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Experience (max 35 pts)<\/td> 2 years<\/td> 20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 3 years<\/td> 25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 4 years<\/td> 30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 5 years<\/td> 35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Age (max 10 pts)<\/td> 16 or under<\/td> 0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 17<\/td> 2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 18<\/td> 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 19<\/td> 6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 20<\/td> 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 21\u201349<\/td> 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 50<\/td> 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 51<\/td> 6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 52<\/td> 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 53<\/td> 2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 54+<\/td> 0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Language Ability (max 24 pts)<\/td> High \u2013 Effective in most social\/work situations<\/td> High<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Moderate \u2013 Comfortable in familiar social\/work situations<\/td> Moderate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Basic \u2013 Communicate in predictable contexts with some difficulty<\/td> Basic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t No \u2013 Below Basic<\/td> 0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Adaptability (max 6 pts)<\/td> Spouse\/common-law education \u2013 Secondary or less<\/td> 0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Spouse\/common-law: 1-year diploma\/trade\/apprenticeship\/degree + \u226512 years study<\/td> 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Spouse\/common-law: 2\u20133 year diploma\/trade\/apprenticeship\/degree + \u226514 years study<\/td> 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Spouse\/common-law: Master\u2019s\/PhD + \u226517 years study<\/td> 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Previous work in Canada (applicant or spouse) \u2013 \u22651 year full-time on valid work permit<\/td> 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Previous study in Canada (applicant or spouse) \u2013 \u22652 years full-time post-secondary<\/td> 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Relatives in Canada \u2013 eligible close relative who is PR\/citizen<\/td> 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n Language Requirements for Self-Employed Persons Program<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How Much Experience Is Sufficient?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Obtain a Professional Accreditation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Document Check List (prepare early)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n