Why apply for the Canada Self-Employed Persons Program?

• Allows self-employed people to migrate to Canada
• Enjoy tax benefits in Canada
• Unlimited earning potential
• Apply for permanent residency in Canada
• Get Canada PR within 2 to 3 years

The Self-Employed Persons Program (SEPP) allows self-employed foreign nationals to migrate to Canada and obtain a Canada PR. The Canada Self-Employed Persons Program is a points-based program. A self-employed person must score at least 35 points to be eligible for the program.  
 

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Canada Self-Employed Persons Program

IRCC launched the self-employed person program in 2013 to welcome skilled foreign individuals with relevant experience working as self-employed people. As a self-employed person migrating to Canada via this program, you must contribute significantly towards the culture or athletic life of Canada.
 

The Canada Self-Employed Persons Program aims to welcome skilled and experienced foreign nationals with creative skills. The program paves an easy pathway for self-employed people to migrate and settle as permanent residents in Canada.
 

Benefits of the Canada Self-Employed Persons Program

The following are the benefits of the Canada Self-employed Persons program:

• Easy pathway to get Canada PR
• No minimum investment required
• Points-based immigration system
• Can bring your spouse and dependent children
• Streamlined immigration process for talented individuals

Eligibility Criteria for Canada Self-Employed Persons Program

A candidate's eligibility for the self-employed person program depends on the score acquired on the point-based system. Candidates are graded based on five selection criteria and a points system.

The table below lists the factors and maximum points that can be acquired for the same:

Selection Factors	Maximum Points
Education	25
Work Experience	35
Age	10
Language Proficiency	24
Adaptability	6
Total	100

Note: A minimum of 35 points out of 100 are required to be eligible for the program.
 

Education: Maximum 25 points

The table below lists the details of the maximum points that can be acquired for your education:

Education Level	Maximum Points
Masters, PhD along with 17 years of full-time or equivalent study	25 points
Two or more bachelor's degrees along with 17 years of full-time or equivalent study	22 points
Three-year diploma, trade certificate, or apprenticeship, along with 15 years of full-time or equivalent study	22 points
Two-year bachelor's degree along with 14 years of full-time or equivalent study	20 points
Two-year diploma, trade certificate, or apprenticeship, along with 14 years of full-time or equivalent study	20 points
One-year bachelor's degree along with 13 years of full-time or equivalent study	15 points
One-year diploma, trade certificate, or apprenticeship, along with 12 years of full-time or equivalent study	12 points
Completed high school	5 points

Experience: Maximum 35 points

The table below lists the details of the maximum points that can be acquired for relevant work experience:

Years of Work Experience	Maximum Points
2 years	20
3 years	25
4 years	30
5 years	35

Age: Maximum 10 points

The table below lists the details of the maximum points that can be acquired for your age at the time of submitting the application:

Age (in years)	Maximum Points
<16	0
17	2
18	4
19	6
20	8
21-49	10
50	8
51	6
52	4
53	2
54>	0

Language Proficiency: Maximum 24 points

Candidates applying for the SEPP are required to provide language proficiency test results like IELTS, CELPIP, PTE, TEF, or TCF to demonstrate their language ability in either French or English. If you are proficient in both English and French, you can mention any of the languages as your first language and the other as your second language.

The following are the levels of language proficiency:

• High: Can communicate effectively in most work and social conditions
• Moderate: Can communicate comfortably in familiar work and social conditions
• Basic: Can communicate in predictable contexts and on familiar topics
• No: Do not meet the above criteria for basis proficiency

Note: The maximum points can be scored under this factor is 24 points.
 

Adaptability: Maximum 6 points

The table below lists the details of the maximum points that can be acquired for your previous ties to Canada:

Adaptability Factors	Maximum Points
Spouse or common law partners’ level of education	3-5 points
Previous work experience in Canada	5 points
Previous study experience in Canada	5 points
Relatives in Canada	5 points

Apart from the eligibility points, you must meet the following criteria to be considered as a self-employed person:

• You intend to work as a self-employed person in Canada
• You have at least two years' work experience as a self-employed person.

The following job roles are eligible for the program:

• Librarians
• Conservators and curators
• Archivists
• Writers, translators, and related communications professionals
• Authors
• Editors
• Journalists
• Translators, terminologists, and interpreters
• Creative and performing artists
• Producers, directors, choreographers, and related occupations
• Conductors, composers, and arrangers
• Musicians and singers
• Dancers
• Actors and comedians
• Painters, sculptors, and other visual artists
• Technical occupations in libraries, public archives, museums, and art galleries
• Library and public archive technicians
• Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries
• Photographers, graphic arts technicians, and technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, and the performing arts
• Creative designers and crafts-persons
• Graphic designers and illustrators
• Interior designers and interior decorators
• Theatre, fashion, exhibit, and other creative designers
• Artisans and crafts-persons
• Patternmakers – textile, leather, and fur products
• Athletes, coaches, referees, and related occupations
• Athletes
• Coaches
• Sports officials and referees
• Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport, and fitness
• Film and video camera operators
• Graphic arts technicians
• Broadcast technicians
• Audio and video recording technicians
• Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography, and the performing arts
• Announcers and other performers
• Announcers and other broadcasters
• Other performers

Self-Employed Persons Program Requirements

The following are the documents required to apply for the Canada Self-Employed Persons Program:

• Educational transcripts
• Language proficiency test results
• Proof of work experience
• Documents of the spouse (if applying together)
• Passports and Travel documents
• Police clearance certificates
• Proof of relationship
• Medical test results
• Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
• Supplementary Information - Your travels (IMM 5562)

Steps to Apply for the Canada Self-Employed Persons Program

The application process for the Canada Self-Employed Persons Program involves the following steps:

Step 1: Create an account on the IRCC portal

Step 2: Gather the documents as per the checklist

Step 3: Submit your biometrics

Step 4: Complete the fee payment

Step 5: Wait for approval

Step 6: Fly to Canada

Note: The IRCC has temporarily paused accepting applications for this program on and from April 30, 2024.
 

Canada Self-Employed Persons Program Fees

The table below lists the fees required for the Canada Self-Employed Persons Program:

Type of fee	Amount to be paid (in CAD)
Application fee	$1810
Right of Permanent Residence Fee	$575
Include your spouse or partner	$1525
Include a dependent child	$260
Biometrics fee	$85 (per person)

Canada Self-Employed Persons Program Processing Time

The processing time for a Canada PR application under the Canada Self-Employed Persons Program is around 22-24 months.
 

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