Self-employed
A pathway to permanent residence for professionals in cultural activities or athletics
General information
Freelance is a settlement program for professional individuals working in the field of culture and sports or engaged in activities at the international level.
Basic requirements
Field of expertise
Relevant experience
Settlement Plan
EOI Profile
Eligible occupations
Professional occupations in art and culture
Writing, translating and related communications professionals
Creative and performing artists
Technical occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
Photographers, graphic arts technicians and technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
Announcers and other performers
Creative designers and craftspersons
Athletes, coaches, referees and related occupations
Application process
Process timeline of preparing and reviewing the application
between the employer with Employment and Social Development Canada
Application submission
Submit the application online to IRCC when all minimum requirements are met. The profile only need to meet the minimum score.
Biometrics collection
Receive a request from IRCC for biometrics collection at visa application centers to verify identity and admissibility.
Medical examination
Receive a request from IRCC for a medical examination with panel physicians to provide proof of the health conditions.
Get PR Status
Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.IRCC reviews in 41 months
Success factors
Crucial elements affect the decision
Background elements
Scoring factors
* Adaptability generally includes but not limited to ties to Canada (education, relatives in Canada, work experience) and spouse's background (education, language, work experience)
* Figures may be rounded for presentation purposes, please refer to federal or provincial government websites for the most accurate information.
Entitlement
Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents
Family-friendly
The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children
Medical
Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian
Education
Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education
Benefits
Access to social benefits as same as Canadian
Mobility right
Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status
Sponsorship
Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met
Naturalization
Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met
Specific requirements
Important requirements the applicant should note
- Self-employed is an immigration pathway to permanent residence for professionals in cultural activities or athletics that have ability and intention to be self-employed in Canada to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada
- Self-employed is an immigration pathway to permanent residence for professionals in cultural activities or athletics that have ability and intention to be self-employed in Canada to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada
Immigration Ineligibility
- Have committed a crime, depends on the seriousness of the conviction
- Have been, are or will be engaging in organized crime
- Have been, are or will be engaging in any activities or organizations that are against Canada, contrary to Canada’s interests or endanger the lives or safety of persons in Canada
- Have a health condition that is dangerous to public health, public safety or may cause excessive demand on health or social services
- Unable or unwilling to financially support yourself and accompanying family members
- Have an immigration application refused for misrepresentation in the past 5 years
- Have been deported for failing to comply with any immigration act or regulation
Basic requirements
- Meet the minimum of 35/100 points based on selection criterias of age, work experience, education, language and adaptability
- Intend and have the ability to be self-employed in Canada to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada
Relevant experience
During the period of 5 years at the time of application and ending on the date of the decision on the application in:
- For cultural activities
- 2 periods of 1-year (2 years in total) being self-employed in cultural activities, or
- 2 periods of 1-year (2 years in total) participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
- a combine of 2 periods of 1-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities and participating at a world-class level in cultural activities
- For athletics
- 2 periods of 1-year (2 years in total) being self-employed in athletics
- 2 periods of 1-year (2 years in total) participating at a world class level in athletics, or
- a combine of 2 periods of 1-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities and participating at a world-class level in cultural activities
Eligible occupations
- Professional occupations in art and culture
- Librarians, archivists, conservators and curators
- Writing, translating and related communications professionals
- Creative and performing artists
- Technical occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
- Technical occupations in libraries, public archives, museums and art galleries
- Photographers, graphic arts technicians and technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
- Announcers and other performers
- Creative designers and craftspersons
- Athletes, coaches, referees and related occupations