Move to Canada as a Self Employed Person in 2023

It doesn’t take much to move to Canada as a self employed person in 2022.

Still, you must understand that this is quite different from actually relocating to Canada in response to a new job offer from a company within the country.

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Now, it doesn’t really matter if you are a well-known craftsman in your home country, you will still encounter some milestones when trying to move to Canada as a self employed person; milestones like having to rent a new office space, the cost for housing, and others – all proving quite difficult if you don’t know the best ways to get pass them.

In addition to all these, Canada is well-known for its highly competitive nature amongst industry owners, usually due to its high economic standards and governmental policies; but still, all these shouldn’t scare you!

Canada supports small businesses and small business owners in many ways, some of which would be discussed in today’s guide.

How to Move to Canada as a Self Employed?

To ensure stability and the quick development of the nation’s economy, the Canadian government initiated the Self-Employed Person immigration program to attract young entrepreneurial individuals into the country.

The program doesn’t just give you easy access to Canada but also is directed to help you in your various fields of business.

Some of the many important benefits of this program include:

You are only required to have at least two (2) years of working experience in your designated field. This is quite different from other Canadian immigration packages that require you to show several years of work experience in your field.
You are also not bugged with a net-worth of requirements when trying to move to Canada as a self employed person. This simply means that you will never be asked for your total net worth or how much money you feel you can generate when coming to the country to work as a self-employed person. This gives equal rights and responsibilities to new immigrants, not consuming them with the pressure of maintaining a specific profit margin to guarantee their stay in the country.
Trying to move to Canada as a self employed person is one of the cheapest things you will ever do. It is in fact different from other Canadian business immigration packages that require applicants to invest a certain amount of money in a Canadian based company or government; all you are basically required to do here is to finance your stay and grow your brand or business.

What Categories of People are Allowed to Move to Canada as Self Employed Persons?

Canada only accepts new immigrants that are able to prove their relevant craft or athletic skills that made them distinct in their respective resident countries. Specifically, Canada accepts the following categories of people to apply under the Self-Employed Person immigration program:

Cultural – dancers, designers and painters, writers, journalists, musicians
Sports/Athletes – sports coaches, athletes, referees, program leaders

Move to Canada as a Self Employed Person Eligibility Requirements

The basic requirements and respective maximum points needed to attain when trying to move to Canada as a self employed person includes the following:

Work experience (max: 35 points)
Education (max: 25 points)
Age (max: 10 points)
Language skills (max: 24 points)
Adaptability (max: 6 points)

#1: Work Experience (Max: 35 Points)

As discussed earlier, to qualify for Canada’s Self-Employed Person immigration program, you’ll need a minimum of two (2) years of work experience in your field.

This alone gets you 20 points, while an applicant with three (3) years of work experience gets 25 points.

An applicant with four (4) years of work experience gets 30 points, and finally, an applicant with five (5) years of work experience gets 35 points.

#2: Education (Max: 25 Points)

This requires a relevant level of education in your field of industry.

Completed high school: 5 points
One-year (1) diploma, trade certificate, or apprenticeship: 12 – 15 points
A single university bachelor’s degree or more: 15 points
A three-year (3) diploma, apprenticeship, or trade certificate: 20 – 22 points
Two (2) or more university bachelor degrees: 20 – 22 points
Master’s or PhD. Degree: 25 points

#3: Age (Max: 10 Points)

Young adults tend to get the most points in this category as they have more time on their hands to produce a positive effect in the Canadian economy.

16 or under: 0 points
17 years: 2 points
18 years: 4 points
19 years: 6 points
20 years: 8 points
21–49 years: 10 points
50 years: 8 points
51 years: 6 points
52 years: 4 points
53 years: 2 points
54 years and above: 0 points

#4: Language Skills (Max: 24 Points)

You will need to show proficiency (basic, moderate, or high) in any one of the official languages (English or French) in Canada.

#5: Adaptability (Max: 6 Points)

Your level of adaptability simply shows how easy for you to get used to the way of life in Canada.

On applying to move to Canada as a self-employed person, each criterion earns you distinct points which are ranked under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

The total sum of all the points gives a score that reflects on your online profile.

Applying candidates’ points are then estimated, and those with the highest points end up qualifying for the next stage of their immigration process.

Selected applicants are then given an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency status.

Asides from the above-stated eligibility requirements, you also need to:

Have pertinent experience in athletics or any related cultural activity.
Show willingness to contribute significantly to the cultural or athletic activities within the country.
Meet medical and security requirements (such as taking the Covid-19 vaccine which is compulsory).