Are you a self-employed person who wants to immigrate to Canada? You may qualify for Canada’s “Self-Employed Persons Program.” When your application under this program is approved, you get a permanent resident visa. You can live and work in Canada, and you will also become eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after you settle here.
What is self-employed business immigration?
Canada’s Self-Employed Persons Program is for people who can be self-employed in certain industries. To be eligible, you must provide proof of your relevant work experience. The self-employed immigration program is different from other types of business immigration, which require you to secure funding from a private organization or invest your own money in a Canadian company.
What experience do you need to immigrate as a self-employed person?
To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must have experience in arts and culture or athletics that will allow you to be successfully self-employed in Canada and to make a significant contribution in your field. You must provide proof of at least two years of participation in arts and culture or athletics at a world-class level, two years of being self-employed in arts and culture or athletics, or a combination of one year of each.
How can you boost your application’s chance of success?
While two years is the minimum, the more experience you have, the better. This is because the self-employed immigration visa program grades applicants on a point system. The maximum possible score is 100 and the minimum passing score is 35 (though that is always subject to change). The system awards more points for more years of experience (up to 35 points). Other selection criteria include your education (up to 25 points), your age (10), your language proficiencies (24), and you and your spouse’s adaptability (6). It is a plus if you or your spouse have previous work or study experience in Canada, or if you or your spouse have a relative who resides in Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
What else do you need to apply for a self-employed visa?
Your score on the point system is very important to your application. Also important are the documents you submit in support of your application to show that you meet language requirements, security checks and other conditions. For example, you and your family members must have a medical exam and provide police certificates. You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada.
Who can help you with the self-employed immigration process?
The experienced immigration lawyers at Invicta Law Corporation can help you determine if you are eligible to apply for self-employed business immigration to Canada. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or to obtain a quote. We can advise you on the best strategy for success, help prepare your application and supporting documents, and guide you through the self-employed immigration process.
