Self-Employed Program 2026: Fees and Status

• 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.

• Visa Type: Permanent Residence - Economic / Business Class
• Official Program Name: Self-Employed Persons Program (SEPP)
• 2026 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: Scored out of 100 across education, experience, age, language, and adaptability
• Minimum Selection Score: 35 points out of 100 to qualify
• 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: Paper-based application via the IRCC Centralized Intake Office (refer to current IRCC instructions for the latest channel)
• Processing Time: Canada.ca currently lists more than 10 years because of the long-standing application backlog
• Principal Applicant Processing Fee: CAD 2,495 per adult principal applicant, including RPRF
• Principal Applicant Without RPRF: CAD 1,920 processing-fee portion before the Right of Permanent Residence Fee
• Right of PR Fee (RPRF): CAD 575 per adult
• Spouse / Common-Law Partner Fee: CAD 1,525 (CAD 950 processing + CAD 575 RPRF)
• Dependent Child Fee: CAD 260 per child
• 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

• 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

Related Resources

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