Work in Canada Through the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program
Do you want to know your eligibility for the Federal Self-Employed to Canada
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The Canadian federal government offers the Self-Employed Person Program for individuals who have the required experience to establish themselves in Canada as self-employed individuals in farming, cultural activities or world-class athletics.
Unlike other Canadian business immigration streams, to obtain permanent residency, you are not required to have a minimum net worth to be eligible. However, you must demonstrate enough financial resources to support yourself for the duration of your stay in Canada.
Who is Eligible for the Self-Employed Persons Program?
The government of Canada defines a self-employed person as an individual with relevant self-employment experience in a cultural or athletic profession.
To be eligible for the Self-Employed Persons Program, you must have 2 years of professional work experience in the following ways:
- 2 years of experience as a self-employed individual in your profession
- For owner-operator LMIAs, the applicant should have a significant role in managing the business
- 2 years of participation experience at a world-class event in your profession
- 1 year of experience in each of the activities mentioned above
You must also intend to live outside the province of Quebec to be eligible for this program. Quebec Immigration has its own programs for foreign nationals.
What are the Requirements for the Self-Employed Persons Program?
In addition to the requirements mentioned above, you will also be required to score a minimum level of points to be selected for this program.
You must score at least 35 points out of 100 to be considered for this program. Your application will be assessed based on:
- Education: makes up to 25 points
- Experience: makes up to 35 points
- Age: makes up to 10 points
- Language Proficiency in English or French: makes up to 24 points
- Adaptability: makes up to 6 points
You will also be required to clear all the admissibility requirements at the federal level. Here's a list of how one could be deemed inadmissible to enter Canada.
Federal Self-Employed Processing Time
The processing time for permanent residence under the Federal Self Employed category is 23 months.
Federal Self-Employed Refusal
- Insufficient work experience
- Unable to demonstrate ability to be self-employed in Canada
- Incorrect or outdated application forms
Questions 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Self-Employed Persons Program
You can apply for the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program if you wish to immigrate to the province of Quebec. However, you will be required to demonstrate a minimum net worth and have qualifying experience to be eligible.
Yes. An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada which includes being self-employed and you can work in any province or territory.
Yes. Since the Federal Self-Employed Program is a part of the Federal Skilled Worker Class, you can apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.
The Self-Employed Program does not require you to demonstrate a minimum net worth to be eligible.
Start Your Owner-Operator LMIA Process Today!
Business owner-operators know that time is money, which makes the Owner-Operator LMIA valuable for all enterprises entering the Canadian market from abroad.
Obtaining an Owner-Operator LMIA requires a detailed business plan along with precise legal documentation for business immigration. This includes detailed financial plans, employment projections and property lease details, all of which greatly increase the odds of a successful application.
- It must be a public act
- It must be an important and not an optional act
You must be able to prove that you have previously made a demand for the completion of that act within a duration of time. That way you can rightfully claim that the authority concerned had failed to do their duty and therefore, an application for Mandamus is a last resort.
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