Self-Employed Program: Fees and Status
Canada's paused permanent residence pathway for self-employed cultural and athletic professionals. The eligibility details below describe the program's rules, not an open application route.
Check IRCC's current tool
Check IRCC's current fee list
Permanent Residence
Canada Self-Employed Persons Program (SEPP) is a permanent residency stream administered by IRCC for self-employed professionals in cultural activities or athletics. IRCC extended the pause on new applications until further notice. It has not announced a reopening date in the current notice.
IRCC processes applications received before the pause under the program rules. Historical eligibility requires relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics. Check the current IRCC fee list and processing-time tool for amounts and estimates, which can change.
Current intake status
IRCC has paused new Self-Employed Persons Program applications
Canada.ca says the current pause on accepting applications to the Self-Employed Persons Program is extended until further notice. Applicants already in the backlog should continue following IRCC instructions, but new applicants should verify the program status before preparing forms, evidence, or fee payments.
Compare related PR options before preparing a SEPP application.
Fees
Self-Employed Persons Program fees and processing
Use IRCC's current fee list and processing-time tool for current amounts and estimates. New application intake is paused until further notice.
- Principal applicant total
- See IRCC fee list
- Check IRCC's current business immigration fee list before paying.
- Application without RPRF
- See IRCC fee list
- Check the current processing fee and Right of Permanent Residence Fee on IRCC's list.
- Biometrics
- CAD 85
- Individual biometrics fee; the family biometrics maximum is CAD 170 when family members apply at the same time.
Do not pay fees for a new SEPP package until the official Canada.ca program page confirms that intake has reopened.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Self-Employed Persons Program?
- Self-employed cultural professionals - musicians, writers, painters, designers, performers, choreographers, and other artists who have earned their living through their craft
- Self-employed athletes, coaches, and sports professionals who have competed or coached at a recognised national or international level
- Applicants already in the backlog or future applicants if IRCC reopens intake for this program
- Applicants with at least 2 years of relevant self-employed or world-class experience in cultural activities or athletics in the last 5 years
- Applicants who intend and are able to be self-employed in Canada and contribute to Canadian cultural or athletic life
- Applicants who can demonstrate sufficient unencumbered settlement funds to support themselves and any accompanying family members
- Applicants meeting general admissibility requirements - medical, security, and criminal background checks
- Spouses or common-law partners and dependent children can be included on the application as accompanying family members
The Self-Employed Persons Program applies only to cultural activities and athletics, but new federal intake is paused until further notice. Quebec runs a separate self-employed worker program through MIFI.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Self-Employed Persons Program?
- Visa Type: Permanent Residence - Economic / Business Class
- Official Program Name: Self-Employed Persons Program (SEPP)
- Current Intake Status: Paused for new applications until further notice
- Eligible Occupation Categories: Cultural activities OR athletics only (the farm-management stream was closed in 2018 and is no longer eligible)
- Minimum Relevant Experience: 2 years of self-employed or world-class experience in cultural activities or athletics within the 5 years before applying
- Selection Criteria Scoring: IRCC assesses applicants against the program's selection criteria, including experience, education, age, language abilities, and adaptability
- Designated Organization Sponsor: Not required (this is the key difference from the Start-Up Visa Program)
- Personal Investment Required: No fixed minimum from applicant
- Settlement Funds: Required - sufficient unencumbered funds to support yourself, your family, and become established as self-employed in Canada
- Language Test: No minimum requirement, but English or French ability is scored under the selection criteria
- Education Requirement: No fixed minimum, but education is scored under the selection criteria
- Intention and Ability to be Self-Employed: Applicant must demonstrate clear plans, networks, or commissions that support being self-employed in Canada in the chosen field
- Medical Exam Required: Yes - by an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Police Clearance Required: Yes - from every country lived in for 6+ months since age 18
- Biometrics Required: Yes - fingerprints and photograph at a designated collection centre
- Interview Required: Possible - visa officers may request an interview to verify cultural or athletic credentials
- Application Mode: Use the application method and instructions on IRCC's current program page if intake reopens
- Processing Time: Check IRCC's current processing-time tool; estimates change over time
- Principal Applicant Processing Fee: Check IRCC's current fee list
- Principal Applicant Without RPRF: Check IRCC's current fee list
- Right of PR Fee (RPRF): Check IRCC's current fee list
- Spouse / Common-Law Partner Fee: Check IRCC's current fee list
- Dependent Child Fee: Check IRCC's current fee list
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 individual; CAD 170 family rate (2 or more)
- Validity Period: Permanent Residence on landing
- Work Rights: Yes - permanent resident, work as self-employed anywhere in Canada upon landing
- Study Rights: Yes - permanent resident, study anywhere in Canada upon landing
- Spouse Work Rights: Yes - PR rights apply equally to spouse
- Children Study Rights: Yes - PR rights apply equally to dependent children
- Path to Citizenship: Eligible after 3 years (1,095 days) physical presence in Canada within any 5-year period
- Province Specific: No - applicants can settle in any province or territory except Quebec; Quebec runs a separate self-employed worker program through MIFI
- Express Entry Linked: No - SEPP is not part of the Express Entry pool
- Job Offer Required: No
- LMIA Required: No
Documents
What are the documents required for Self-Employed Persons Program?
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond the application date
- Detailed resume listing all self-employed cultural or athletic engagements over the past 5 years
- Proof of self-employment - contracts, invoices, royalty statements, performance fees, prize money records, and tax filings
- Portfolio, recordings, performance reviews, exhibition catalogues, athletic results, or comparable evidence of cultural or athletic achievement
- Awards, accolades, press coverage, and recommendation letters from recognised cultural or athletic bodies
- Educational credentials and degree certificates (scored under the selection criteria)
- Language test results from an IRCC-approved testing organization (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada) - optional but improves selection score
- Proof of unencumbered settlement funds based on family size and the applicant's plan to establish self-employment
- Detailed self-employment plan for Canada - target market, network of contacts, commissions or engagements lined up, and how the activity will continue
- Police clearance certificates from every country lived in for 6+ months since age 18
- Medical examination results from an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Biometrics - fingerprints and photograph collected at a designated Visa Application Centre
- Digital photographs meeting IRCC photo specifications for each applicant
- Schedule A and Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) for principal applicant and family
- Marriage or birth certificates for accompanying spouse and dependent children
Application Process
How to Apply for Canada Self-Employed Persons Program: Step-by-Step Process
Check Current Intake Status First
Before preparing evidence or paying fees, confirm on Canada.ca whether IRCC is accepting new Self-Employed Persons Program applications. IRCC's December 19, 2025 notice says the pause is extended until further notice; it does not give a reopening date.
Confirm You Qualify Under Cultural Activities or Athletics
Verify your occupation falls within IRCC's interpretation of cultural activities or athletics. Confirm you have at least 2 years of relevant self-employed or world-class experience in the last 5 years. The farm-management stream is closed and no longer accepts applications.
Self-Score Against the Selection Criteria
Review the program's selection criteria, which include experience, education, age, language abilities, and adaptability. Confirm the current application instructions before preparing an application if intake reopens.
Build Evidence of Self-Employed Activity
Compile contracts, invoices, royalty statements, prize records, awards, press coverage, and a portfolio of work. The strength of this evidence is central to the visa officer's decision and the selection score.
Prepare a Self-Employment Plan for Canada
Draft a detailed plan describing the cultural or athletic activity you intend to pursue in Canada, target market, contacts and commissions lined up, and expected income. This shows IRCC you intend and are able to be self-employed in Canada.
Demonstrate Settlement Funds
Show unencumbered funds sufficient to support yourself, your family, and become established as self-employed in Canada. Provide bank statements, fixed-deposit certificates, and official letters confirming the funds are available and free of debts.
Submit the PR Application to the Centralized Intake Office
If IRCC reopens intake, compile the complete application package using the current IRCC forms, instructions, and fee list.
Complete Biometrics, Medical, and Police Checks
After the biometrics instruction letter arrives, attend a Visa Application Centre for fingerprints and photograph. Complete the upfront medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician. Submit police clearance certificates from all required countries.
Application Review, Possible Interview, and Decision
A visa officer reviews your evidence, self-employment plan, settlement funds, and admissibility. You may be invited to an interview to verify cultural or athletic credentials. Approved applicants receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and a permanent resident visa where applicable.
Understanding the Canada Self-Employed Persons Program requirements is still useful for applicants in the backlog and for future planning, but new applicants should not treat SEPP as an immediately open route in 2026. Because the program is narrow, paused, and backlogged, cultural and athletic professionals should compare it with currently open business, work, and provincial pathways before preparing a full application package.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore the Self-Employed Persons Program FAQs guide to know the answers to your questions.
Official IRCC sources used for this Self-Employed Persons Program guide
Last updated
Reviewed by Settle in Canada Editorial Team
Immigration rules and processing times change often. Use these official pages as the final authority before paying fees or submitting documents.
Related Resources
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New Self-Employed Persons Program applications are paused until further notice. Talk to Kanan about other immigration pathways and their eligibility requirements.