SELF-EMPLOYED

Who is a self-employed in Canada?

The Self-Employed Class is designed both at the federal and provincial levels. Under this category, there are no conditions imposed on the immigrant. Still, all applicants must have the intention and ability to establish a business that will create at least an employment opportunity for themselves and make an economic contribution to Canada. Applicants in this category must demonstrate relevant Self-employment experience.

As per IRCC, a Self-employed person works for themselves as a business owner and rarely hires people outside their family members. While many are business owners, they typically carry out all of an employee’s responsibilities.

As per BDC (The Bank for Canadian Entrepreneurs), A self-employed worker is hired by a company to conduct a specific service. Several other elements distinguish self-employed workers from typical employees.

• They have the right to work for other companies.
• They are responsible for paying provincial and federal sales taxes but also have the right to claim certain deductions as business expenses.
• They typically use their tools, machines, area, and equipment.
• They are not subject to detailed instructions, supervision, and discipline.
• Their employment is not subject to the same employment legislation.

The Canada Revenue Agency has a helpful guide to help determine whether a worker is an employee or a self-employed worker for tax purposes.

How Can We Assist You?

At ARNIKA VISA, we help business owners, entrepreneurs, self-employed persons, and investors find the most cost-effective programs that achieve their business and immigration goals. From filing a business proposal to guiding businesses during interviews/meetings with immigration officials, we take care of it all. We can assist you entirely or partially based on our different packages. We can advise you professionally regarding the required personalized supporting documents to increase the chance of your approval and, finally, submit your application to IRCC on your behalf as an authorized representative. Suppose you want to discover how the RCIC can help you. In that case, the first step is to complete the Assessment Form (To detail your personal, educational, and employment information) available on the site.

Source: IRCC Statistics and Open Data

Important note: As of March 10, 2018, IRCC is no longer accepting new applications under the farm management stream of the Self-Employed Persons Program. IRCC will continue to process applications received before March 10, 2018.

The Self-Employed Person pathway is like the Entrepreneur pathway. The self-employed category is created for an individual with experience in cultural activities or athletics who can be self-employed in Canada. They must demonstrate that they can significantly contribute to Canada’s cultural, artistic, and athletic landscape.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) require the applicants to meet the test of experience, intent, and ability and reasonably expect to be self-employed in cultural activities or athletics. Once the applicants have passed this qualification, IRCC will assess whether their plans for Canada will contribute significantly to Canadian culture. There is no minimum investment required for a self-employed position. The greater the number of applicants possessing the same skill, the less the chances of being accepted as a candidate enriching Canadian culture. However, applicants seeking a location where their skills would be needed will considerably increase their chances of acceptance.

Under this category, there are no conditions imposed on the immigrant. But all applicants must have the experience stated above and the intention and ability to establish a business that will create at least an employment opportunity for themselves and significantly contribute to cultural activities or athletics in Canada.

How do I become self-employed in Canada?

To be self-employed in Canada, the applicant must:

• be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada,
• be able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada
• meet the program’s selection criteria, and
• Intent to settle in any Canadian province or territory except for Quebec
• meet medical, security, and other conditions
• Have relevant experience* in cultural activities or athletics and

*Applicant’s experience is relevant if they have

• Taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level, OR
• Being a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics

Relevant experience for a self-employed person means at least two years of experience within the last five years before the date of the application submitted and the decision date on the applicant by IRCC. The candidate can obtain more points if they have more years of experience. At a minimum, their Cultural activities or Athletics experience must be for:

• Two years of being self-employed within cultural activities or athletics, OR
• Two years of participating at a world-class level within their cultural activities or athletics, OR
• A combination of one year of each of the above.

What are self-employed program requirment?

IRCC assesses candidates based on the awarded points for their experience (35), education (25), age (10), language proficiencies (24), and adaptability (6), for a total score of 100 points. Successful applicants will have a minimum passing score of 35. Applicants will be selected based on their score for each category, supporting documents, application, medical and security checks, and whether they satisfy the criteria of a self-employed person in Canada. The applicants must also show that they have enough funds to support themselves, including their immediate family, after they get to Canada.

How long it takes to be self-employed in Canada?

It varies occasionally, depending on each immigration program and the country where applicants apply. To avoid any possible delays, the applicants must inform IRCC about any changes to their personal information. The applicants must pass the police and medical check before coming to Canada. If IRCC approves the application, they’ll issue the applicant a permanent resident visa, including the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and the applicant’s entry visa.

What advantages of Canada’s Self-Employed Program?

• Unlike other business programs, there is no minimum net worth requirement.
• Getting Authorized status quicker
• The “one-step” federal immigration program: Self-Employed is a federal immigration stream, so there is no need to go through the provincial nomination stage.
• Unconditional irrevocable Permanent Residence: Unlike other business programs, Self-Employed applicants will receive absolute permanent residence status in Canada based on their intentions to establish a business in Canada.
• No geographical restrictions: the applicants can live in any city or province in Canada except Quebec to build up their business if there is no geographical restriction on their business plan presented to IRCC

Program Requirements highlights

• Experience: Minimum of two years of experience in the previous five years, either working as self-employed or engaging in world-class artistic, cultural, recreational, or sporting activities.
• Education: There are no minimum education requirements.
• Age: ideally between the ages of 18 and 50
• Language: No language proficiency is necessary.
• Points under the selection criteria: Must receive at least 35 out of a possible 100.
• Medical & Security: Applicants and any family members travelling with them must submit to medical examinations and get police clearance.
• Financial: To settle in Canada, you must demonstrate that you have the resources to support yourself and your family.

How do I apply for Canada’s Self-Employed Program?

There are six steps to get Canada’s Self-Employed PR Visa. Here we detailed these steps.

How Can We Assist You?

At ARNIKA VISA, we help business owners, entrepreneurs, self-employed persons, and investors find the most cost-effective programs that achieve their business and immigration goals. From filing a business proposal to guiding businesses during interviews/meetings with immigration officials, we take care of it all. We can assist you entirely or partially based on our different packages. We can advise you professionally regarding the required personalized supporting documents to increase the chance of your approval and, finally, submit your application to IRCC on your behalf as an authorized representative. Suppose you want to discover how the RCIC can help you. In that case, the first step is to complete the Assessment Form (To detail your personal, educational, and employment information) available on the site.

Important note: Applications for the Self-Employed Worker Program can be submitted from December 28, 2022, to December 31, 2023.

What is Quebec Self-Employed Program?

The Quebec Immigration Self-Employed class was created to allow qualified individuals to acquire Canadian permanent residence if they can effectively establish themselves in the Province of Quebec by establishing a trade or profession for their benefit.

Who can apply for Quebec Self-Employed Program?

Quebec’s Immigration Ministry, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) require the candidate to be at least 18 years of age and meet other program requirements. For selection, self-employed workers in Montreal must register a start-up deposit of $50,000 or more at a local financial institution. Candidates based in regions outside of Montreal must deposit at least $25,000. 

What are the selection criteria for the Quebec Self-Employed Program?

All applicants must meet the passing score under the Quebec Economic Class selection grid for the Quebec Self-Employed Program. Candidates will be awarded up to 99 points (112 points if accompanied by a spouse or common-law partner) for factors that include education level, professional experience, language proficiency in French and English, stay and family in Quebec, age, financial self-sufficiency, amount of deposit, Visits to Quebec and family in Quebec and financial resources.

All Quebec Self-Employed Worker applicants must demonstrate the intention to reside in Quebec. During the review of an application, Quebec Self-employed candidates may be invited to attend a selection interview.

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for the program, the Government of Quebec requires the self-employed worker must accept the following conditions:

• Choose the means of work performance.
• Organize the work.
• Provide the required tools and equipment.
• carry out most of the specialized duties; 
• collect the profits and support the loss risks resulting from the work.

What are the advantages of the Quebec Self-Employed Program?

• • Unlike the Federal Self-Employed program, which is limited to certain professions, there are no restrictions on the type of occupation the self-employed individual can practice in Quebec, so long as they have the appropriate authorization in a regulated occupation.
  • Unconditional irrevocable Permanent Residence: Unlike other business programs, Self-Employed applicants will receive unconditional permanent residence status in Canada based on their intentions to establish a business in Canada.

How Can We Assist You?

At ARNIKA VISA, we help business owners, entrepreneurs, self-employed persons, and investors find the most cost-effective programs that achieve their business and immigration goals. From filing a business proposal to guiding businesses during interviews/meetings with immigration officials, we take care of it all. We can assist you entirely or partially based on our different packages. We can advise you professionally regarding the required personalized supporting documents to increase the chance of your approval and, finally, submit your application to IRCC on your behalf as an authorized representative. Suppose you want to discover how the RCIC can help you. In that case, the first step is to complete the Assessment Form (To detail your personal, educational, and employment information) available on the site.