Question 1

Is Canada's Self-Employed Persons Program open in 2026?

Accepted Answer

No. IRCC says the federal Self-Employed Persons Program is paused and stopped accepting new applications on April 30, 2024. Applicants who are planning this pathway should monitor IRCC updates before preparing a submission, because the pause affects new federal applications.

Question 2

What is the Self-Employed Persons Program?

Accepted Answer

The Self-Employed Persons Program is a federal permanent residence pathway for people with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics who can become self-employed in Canada and make a significant contribution to Canadian cultural or athletic life.

Question 3

Who can qualify under the Self-Employed Persons Program?

Accepted Answer

To qualify, an applicant must have relevant experience, be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada, meet the program's selection criteria, pass medical and security checks, and show enough money to support themselves and their family after arriving in Canada.

Question 4

What counts as relevant experience?

Accepted Answer

Relevant experience means at least 2 years of experience in the required period. For this program, that experience must be either self-employment in cultural activities or athletics, participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics, or an eligible combination of those experience types.

Question 5

Does ordinary freelance or business experience qualify?

Accepted Answer

Not by itself. The federal program is narrow: the work must fit cultural activities or athletics. General business ownership, consulting, trading, farm management, or unrelated freelance work is not enough unless the applicant can show it falls within the program's cultural or athletic definitions.

Question 6

How many points are needed for the Self-Employed Persons Program?

Accepted Answer

The selection grid is scored out of 100 points, and the pass mark is 35 points. IRCC assesses factors such as relevant experience, age, education, official language ability, and adaptability after first deciding whether the applicant meets the definition of a self-employed person.

Question 7

Is an IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF language test required?

Accepted Answer

The program does not have the same minimum language threshold as Express Entry, but language ability is one of the selection factors. IRCC's application guide states that applicants must include results from a designated English or French language test if they want the application processed and language points awarded.

Question 8

Is there a minimum net worth or investment requirement?

Accepted Answer

There is no fixed minimum net worth or investment amount for the federal Self-Employed Persons Program. However, applicants must show enough available funds to support themselves and their family after arriving in Canada and to finance the self-employed work on which their selection is based.

Question 9

Can I include my spouse and children?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can be included in a permanent residence application. Each family member must meet applicable admissibility requirements, including medical and background checks.

Question 10

Can I settle in Quebec through the federal self-employed program?

Accepted Answer

No. The federal Self-Employed Persons Program is for applicants intending to live outside Quebec. Applicants who plan to live in Quebec must follow Quebec's separate self-employed worker process and, if approved by Quebec, submit the federal permanent residence forms with the Quebec selection document.

Canada Self-Employed Persons Program FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Common questions.
Clear answers.

Is Canada's Self-Employed Persons Program open in 2026?

What is the Self-Employed Persons Program?

Who can qualify under the Self-Employed Persons Program?

What counts as relevant experience?

Does ordinary freelance or business experience qualify?

How many points are needed for the Self-Employed Persons Program?

Is an IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF language test required?

Is there a minimum net worth or investment requirement?

Can I include my spouse and children?

Can I settle in Quebec through the federal self-employed program?

Need help choosing a business immigration pathway?

Canada Self-Employed Persons Program FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Common questions. Clear answers.

Is Canada's Self-Employed Persons Program open in 2026?

What is the Self-Employed Persons Program?

Who can qualify under the Self-Employed Persons Program?

What counts as relevant experience?

Does ordinary freelance or business experience qualify?

How many points are needed for the Self-Employed Persons Program?

Is an IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF language test required?

Is there a minimum net worth or investment requirement?

Can I include my spouse and children?

Can I settle in Quebec through the federal self-employed program?

Need help choosing a business immigration pathway?

Common questions.
Clear answers.