SELF EMPLOYED PERSONS

The "Self-Employed" class provides an avenue for applicants who are likely to be successful in Canada as artists, singers, musicians, actors, athletes or farmers. The person must have the intention and ability to establish a business in Canada that will create an employment opportunity for himself or herself and must make a significant contribution to cultural activities or artistic life (for example, professional athletes, artists, actors, farmers, or writers). Although conditions are not imposed the self-employed persons must have enough money to support himself/herself and his/her family after arriving in Canada.

The Self-Employed Person Program allows applicants with relevant experience in culture, athletics or farm management to immigrate to Canada provided that they make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada or purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

Only immigrants who have been self-employed in cultural activities or in athletics, or have participated at a world class level in cultural activities or in athletics or have farm management experience are eligible within the class. Other business immigrants with more generic business abilities will be required either to meet the Entrepreneur or Investor definitions, to qualify as skilled workers, or to be selected as provincial nominees.

Eligibility

have been self-employed in cultural activities or athletics; OR
have participated at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics; OR
have farm management experience.

Requirements

You must have a minimum of two years of experience in one of the relevant activities. These two years of experience must have been gained during the period beginning five years before the date of your application for a permanent resident visa and ending on the day a determination is made on your application.

For those involved in cultural activities, your experience must consist of:
1. two one-year periods of experience in self-employment in cultural activities, or
2. two one-year periods of experience in participation at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
3. a combination of a one-year period of experience described in clause (A) and a one-year period of experience described in clause (B).
For athletics, your experience must consist of:
1. two one-year periods of experience in self-employment in athletics, or
2. two one-year periods of experience in participation at a world-class level in athletics, or
3. a combination of a one-year period of experience described in clause (A) and a one-year period of experience described in clause (B).
For farm managers, in respect of the purchase and management of a farm, you are required to have:
1. at least two one-year periods of experience in the management of a farm.

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