Even though most of the immigration pathways of Canada require work experience, an individual can still immigrate to Canada even if they are self-employed. So if you are looking for ways on how to immigrate to Canada as self-employed individual, then you can do so using the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program or the Quebec Business Immigration Self-Employed . Apart from these programs, there are other options for self-employed people too. We will discuss those too below, so stay connected!
How to Immigrate to Canada as Self-Employed?
We know that for general immigration, most of the Canadian programs require the immigrant to show a minimum of work experience. But what about those who are self-employed? Well, they don’t need to worry, because there are also some immigration programs that allow self-employed individuals to immigrate as well. They are particularly designed in that way.
Let’s see some immigration options available for self-employed people.
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Self-Employed Persons Program
According to the federal Self-employed Persons Program, those who are self-employed persons can permanently immigrate to Canada. These self-employed individuals need to be eligible first of all. They should possess some relevant skills in athletics or cultural activities. What mainly is important in this program is that the individual makes meaningful contributions to Canada’s cultural life or sports.
In case the applicant has not participated at a world-class level in some cultural or athletic activities, then they should have at least two years of work experience of self-employment. This is the eligibility requirement.
Apart from this, they also need a minimum score of 35 on a points grid. This score is calculated using the applicant’s age, experience, language ability, as well as their adaptability.
Next, let’s see how Quebec’s Self-Employed Worker Program works.
Quebec’s Self-Employed Worker Program
Quebec’s Self-Employed Worker Program allows a self-employed individual to permanently move to Quebec if they meet the eligibility criteria. If the individuals are able to establish themselves as a professional or tradesperson, who is independent, no doubt, then they may immigrate to Quebec.
Some more requirements apart from the self-employment worker program that the individual needs to meet are:
- They should be 18 years of age or older
- Organize their work
- Provide necessary equipments and tools
- They need to choose their means of work performance
- They need to support the loss risks, and collect profits that their work produces
- Apart from these, they also need to carry out other responsibilities.
Those who are self-employed workers need to register a start-up deposit. Candidates that are not in Montreal, need to submit around $25,000 at a local financial institution, while those who are based in Montreal need to submit $50,000.
Another eligibility requirement is they need to have enough score under the Quebec Economic Class. If an individual is accompanied by their spouse/common-law partner, then they may receive 112 points, and 99 if they are not. Other factors in the points system that determine eligibility are age, amount of deposit, education, family living in Quebec, language proficiency, as well as financial resources.
Apart from these immigration options, an individual may also get a work permit. They can go for a temporary work permit for the time being, and after acquiring some work experience, they may use the experience to increase their CRS score.
Or there’s a self-employed work permit available too, which is LMIA exempt. Also, there’s an Intra-Company Transfer program. Further, there is the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). And let’s not forget about the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
How is Work Experience Calculated?
The work experience of an individual is calculated using the National Occupation Classification (NOC). How much work experience an individual needs to show also depends on the criteria of the program they are going for.
The immigration authority of Canada, IRCC, accepts evidence of work experience through multiple ways. A self-employed individual can show evidence of self-employment income, articles of incorporation, as well as service provided to third parties and its payment details.
In case an individual is immigrating via a skilled worker program, they can count their overseas self-employed work experience and that would be valid.
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