{"id":860,"date":"2014-09-11T20:00:30","date_gmt":"2014-09-11T20:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/immigrationca.staging.wpengine.com\/2014\/09\/11\/self-employed-programs\/"},"modified":"2025-08-18T16:02:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T20:02:10","slug":"self-employed-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/self-employed-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-Employed Visa Canada: Your Path to Permanent Residency"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"860\" class=\"elementor elementor-860\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-297a5d10 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"297a5d10\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-83cb064\" data-id=\"83cb064\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88aec41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"88aec41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><strong>On This Page You Will Find:<\/strong><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overview of Canada\u2019s federal and Quebec self-employed immigration programs<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who qualifies for a self-employed visa in Canada<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal Self-Employed Visa eligibility and points system<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quebec Self-Employed Visa requirements<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other immigration options for self-employed applicants<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb1c0d7 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"fb1c0d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8ddfea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d8ddfea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><strong>This Program Is for You If&#8230;<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Self-Employed Visa Canada program is designed for individuals who:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have at least two years of relevant self-employment experience in cultural or athletic activities, or have participated at a world-class level in these fields.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intend and are able to create their own employment in Canada while making a significant contribution to cultural, artistic, or athletic life.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meet the minimum score of 35 points on the IRCC selection grid based on education, experience, age, language ability, and adaptability.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have the financial resources to support themselves and their family during their initial settlement period.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to become a permanent resident of Canada through a program tailored to self-employed professionals and independent talent.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><div class='yarpp yarpp-related yarpp-related-shortcode yarpp-template-list'>\n<!-- YARPP List -->\n\u00a0<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-182db31 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"182db31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\"> \t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"CTA-consult-article-inline\" class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-lg\" href=\"\/immigration-consultation\/\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\"> \t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-calendar-alt\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Book a Consultation<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t<\/a> \t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t<\/div><hr style=\"border-top: 1px\" \/><h3 style=\"margin-top:30px\">Related news<\/h3><ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/how-to-immigrate-to-canada-as-a-social-worker\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" title=\"How to Immigrate to Canada as a Social Worker\">How to Immigrate to Canada as a Social Worker<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/canada-has-one-of-the-worlds-most-valuable-minimum-wages-heading-into-2026\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" title=\"Canada Has One of the World\u2019s Most Valuable Minimum Wages Heading into 2026\">Canada Has One of the World\u2019s Most Valuable Minimum Wages Heading into 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><hr style=\"border-top: 1px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><h2><strong>Federal Self-Employed Visa Canada<\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The federal Self-Employed Visa is for applicants with relevant self-employment experience who intend and are able to create their own employment in Canada. They must also make a significant contribution to the country\u2019s cultural, artistic, or athletic life.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applicants must have at least two years of relevant experience within the last five years, either in self-employment in cultural or athletic activities, or participation at a world-class level in those fields.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applications to the federal Self-Employed Visa are paused until January 2027 to clear backlogs. Until then, applicants can consider alternatives such as the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/the-quebec-self-employed-program\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quebec Self-Employed Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/start-up-visa-program\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Start-Up Visa Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><h3><strong>Eligible occupations include:<\/strong><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Librarians, archivists, conservators, curators<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Authors, writers, editors, journalists<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Translators, interpreters, terminologists<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Producers, directors, choreographers, musicians, singers<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Actors, comedians, painters, sculptors, visual artists<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, interior designers<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Artisans, craftspeople, athletes, coaches, sports officials<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><strong>Federal Self-Employed Visa Points System<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) assesses applicants on a 100-point scale. A minimum of 35 points is required to qualify.<\/span><\/p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><b>Selection criteria<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><b>Maximum points<\/b><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Education<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">25<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experience<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">35<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ability in English and\/or French<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adaptability<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Total<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><b>100<\/b><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dcbcb4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"dcbcb4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2311\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2311\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Points For Education<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2311\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2311\"><table><tbody><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Master\u2019s Degree or PhD and at least 17 years of study<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">25 points<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two or more bachelor\u2019s degrees and at least 15 years of study<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22 points<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of study<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22 points<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bachelor\u2019s degree of two years or more and at least 14 years of study<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 points<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of study<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 points<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One-year bachelor\u2019s degree and at least 13 years study<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 points<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of study<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 points<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of study<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12 points<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You completed high school<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5 points<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2312\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2312\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Points For Experience <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2312\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2312\"><table><tbody><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two years<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three years<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">25<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Four years<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Five years<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">35<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2313\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2313\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Points For Age<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2313\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2313\"><table><tbody><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16 or under<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21\u201349<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">51<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">52<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">53<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">54+<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2314\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2314\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Points For Language Ability <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2314\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2314\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A self-employed person will be awarded up to 24 points by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for basic, moderate, or high proficiency in English and French. You will be given points based on your ability to listen, speak, read, and write using the approved language tests: CELPIP, IELTS or PTE test for English, and TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2315\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2315\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Points For Adaptability<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2315\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2315\"><table><tbody><tr><td><p><b>Spouse or common law partner\u2019s level of education<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Secondary school or less: 0 points<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> One-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of study: 3 points<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Two or three-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 14 years of study: 4 points<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A master\u2019s or PhD and at least 17 years of study: 5 points<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3-5<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Previous work in Canada<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a minimum of one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit.<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Previous study in Canada<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a program of full-time study of at least two years\u2019 duration at a post-secondary institution in Canada. You must have done this after you were 17 years old and with a valid study permit.<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Relatives in Canada<\/b><b><br \/><\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You or your accompanying spouse or common law partner, have a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece, or nephew) who is living in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba2d5cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ba2d5cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Quebec Self-Employed Visa Canada<\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/the-quebec-self-employed-program\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quebec Self-Employed Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a popular alternative for applicants wishing to live in Quebec. It requires at least two years of eligible work experience in the five years before applying.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This program grants permanent residency, not a temporary work permit.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Ineligible sectors include:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> payday loans, cheque cashing, pornography or adult services, and certain property sector activities.<\/span><\/p><h3><strong>Other requirements:<\/strong><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimum net worth of $100,000 (excluding recent donations)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secondary school diploma or higher<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">French language proficiency at level 7 or higher<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start-up deposit: $25,000 outside Montreal or $50,000 in Montreal<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financial self-sufficiency contract for three months<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attestation of learning on democratic and Quebec values<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h2><strong>Related Immigration Programs for Entrepreneurs and Investors<\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the Self-Employed Visa Canada program is not the right fit, there are other business immigration options available. Each pathway has unique requirements and benefits:<\/span><\/p><h3><strong>Canada Start-Up Visa Program<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada\u2019s<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/start-up-visa-program\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start-Up Visa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is for innovative entrepreneurs with the support of a designated investor, incubator, or accelerator. It offers permanent residence for those able to build a globally competitive business in Canada.<\/span><\/p><h3><strong>Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Entrepreneur Streams<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/provincial-entrepreneur-programs\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provinces and territories<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have dedicated entrepreneur or business owner immigration streams. These often require an investment, a business plan, and active management of a local business.<\/span><\/p><h3><strong>Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/intra-company-transferees\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is for foreign business owners or executives who want to transfer operations to Canada. This can be a stepping stone to permanent residence through Express Entry or PNP programs.<\/span><\/p><h3><strong>Quebec Business Immigration Programs<\/strong><\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/quebecbusinessimmigrationmenu\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quebec<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers its own selection of business immigration options, including the Self-Employed Program, Entrepreneur Program, and Investor Program, each with specific requirements.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e4d410 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7e4d410\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6a80cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b6a80cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce547c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"ce547c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2161\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2161\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How do you qualify for a self-employed visa in Canada?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2161\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2161\"><p>You need at least two years of relevant self-employment or world-class participation in cultural or athletic activities within the last five years. You must score at least 35 points on IRCC\u2019s 100-point selection grid and meet medical, security, and financial requirements.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2162\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2162\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is the Self-Employed Persons Program?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2162\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2162\"><p>It is an immigration program that lets you become a permanent resident by creating your own employment in Canada and contributing significantly to cultural or athletic life.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2163\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2163\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is the federal self-employed program?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2163\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2163\"><p>It is a federal pathway for self-employed individuals who want to settle anywhere in Canada outside Quebec. Those planning to live in Quebec must apply to the provincial program first.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2164\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2164\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How long does it take to process a self-employed visa?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2164\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2164\"><p>Processing times vary, but the federal program is currently paused until January 2027. The last reported time was 51 months and is subject to change.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2165\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2165\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can self-employed applicants apply through a PNP?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2165\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2165\"><p>Yes. Some provinces have self-employed or business immigration streams under their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each province sets its own rules and criteria.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do you qualify for a self-employed visa in Canada?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>You need at least two years of relevant self-employment or world-class participation in cultural or athletic activities within the last five years. You must score at least 35 points on IRCC\\u2019s 100-point selection grid and meet medical, security, and financial requirements.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the Self-Employed Persons Program?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>It is an immigration program that lets you become a permanent resident by creating your own employment in Canada and contributing significantly to cultural or athletic life.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the federal self-employed program?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>It is a federal pathway for self-employed individuals who want to settle anywhere in Canada outside Quebec. Those planning to live in Quebec must apply to the provincial program first.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long does it take to process a self-employed visa?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Processing times vary, but the federal program is currently paused until January 2027. The last reported time was 51 months and is subject to change.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can self-employed applicants apply through a PNP?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Yes. Some provinces have self-employed or business immigration streams under their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each province sets its own rules and criteria.<\\\/p>\"}}]}<\/script>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to qualify for Canada\u2019s Self-Employed Visa and Quebec\u2019s program, eligibility rules, points system and key requirements for permanent residency.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":481,"featured_media":142999,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[252,78237,928,929,78239,927,78238,78236],"class_list":["post-860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-c30-business-immigration","tag-business-immigration","tag-canada-self-employed-immigration","tag-federal-self-employed-class","tag-quebec-self-employed-program","tag-self-employed-points-system","tag-self-employed-programs","tag-self-employed-visa-canada","tag-self-employed-work-permit-canada"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/481"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=860"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/142999"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}