Self-Employment Visa for Artists and Athletes
Canada's self-employment program for artists and athletes is closed due to a high volume of applications until the end of 2026.
Before examining the conditions of the self-employment immigration program to Canada, the question arises: what does “self-employed individual” mean in the Canadian immigration system?
A self-employed individual is a foreign worker who meets all the requirements of self-employment immigration mentioned below and, in addition, convinces the immigration officer of their ability to establish their own business. Having relevant experience and a determination to earn a living through self-employment in a field you excel in is key to successfully obtaining permanent residency in Canada through self-employment.
Relevant work experience
Willingness to remain self-employed in Canada
Desire and ability to provide special contributions to a specific business activity in Canada
Additionally, a candidate for immigration to Canada through self-employment must prove that they have the capability to set up a business in Canada and can create a job for themselves. Proving this can be done in various ways.
Self-Employment Immigration to Canada for Artists and Athletes
a: One to two years of work experience in self-employed cultural or sporting activities in the last five years, or
b: One to two years of work experience in global cultural or sporting activities in the last five years, or
a combination of both a and b.
Eligible occupations under the self-employment immigration program:
Writers and authors
Creative and innovative artists
Musicians
Painters
Sculptors and visual arts
Specialists in technical aspects of animation
Craftspeople
Creative designers
Financial Requirements for Self-Employment Immigration to Canada
No specific minimum amount is set for this program, but the immigration officer must be convinced that the self-employed immigrant has enough financial resources to support themselves and their family and also has the financial capability to establish employment.
In this regard, dear farmers should pay attention to demonstrating their financial ability to purchase a farm in Canada. Buying a farm in Canada will entail high costs.
Scoring for Self-Employment Immigration to Canada
The minimum score required to qualify for this program is 35 points. It’s important to note that having 35 points doesn’t guarantee that you will definitely receive the visa.
Education 25 points
Age 10 points
Work experience 35 points
Ability in English or French skills 24 points
Adaptability 6 points
Details of the self-employment immigration points
Self-employment scenarios and case studies for Canada
Case Study One
Maryam works in photography. Her photos have been published in magazines like National Geographic and other similar publications. Maryam has won many international awards in photography and has been involved in this activity for the past 5 years. Is she professionally qualified to immigrate to Canada through self-employment?
Yes. Maryam’s work history is accepted for immigration to Canada through the self-employment immigration program.
Case Study Two
An example of a self-employment visa application that was rejected by the Canadian immigration office is as follows:
A drama instructor named Leila, who teaches acting and drama full-time in Poland, Germany, and Austria, was denied in her application for immigration to Canada through the self-employment program.
The immigration officer’s opinion was that while Leila works internationally, she is not globally recognized. Furthermore, Leila is employed full-time and is not self-employed. The officer also assessed Leila’s business plan as weak.
Case Study Three
Another case that was unsuccessful in the self-employment program was Ali, who applied for immigration to Canada through self-employment with a business plan in traditional Iranian medicine. Ali claimed that traditional medicine, while considered a medical practice, is a form of cultural activity and is inseparable from culture.
The officer’s opinion on this matter was that:
Traditional medicine is not acceptable as a cultural activity.
Case Study Four
Reza, who has extensive experience in acting, intended to establish a theater school in Vancouver and his application for immigration to Canada through the self-employment program was rejected, despite meeting all the requirements. Reza had personally applied for immigration to Canada and hadn’t used immigration consultants.
Reza visited the RainCity office to inquire about the reason for the rejection. After receiving his complete file from the immigration office and reviewing the notes the officer had made in his case, he realized that the reason for his rejection was the officer’s lack of conviction that Reza was capable of starting his own business. Additionally, it was noted that Reza had no teaching experience, which contributed to his rejection. In terms of scoring, Reza had a much higher score than the minimum required 35 points, and he met all other conditions as well. It’s worth mentioning that the officer highlighted that Reza’s English language skills were also deemed weak for starting a business.
A very important point in the self-employment program is that the officer needs to be convinced that you not only meet all the self-employment immigration conditions but also have the capability to start your own business.
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Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to be an athlete or artist recognized at a global level?
The idea is that an athlete or artist should be recognized at a global level or function at the highest echelon of their field, and that their peers at the same level should recognize them too. In some sports or activities that aren’t very popular, there are rules in place to support these individuals, and even if they aren’t recognized globally, being at the top of their field is sufficient.
How can I prove my intention in Canada’s self-employment program to start a personal business to the officer?
There are various ways to approach this, and we recommend consulting with your immigration advisor. However, if we were to highlight some of them, we could mention having previously traveled to Canada, having a solid business plan, finding business partners in Canada, having relevant experience in your field, and also your proficiency in English or French.
How can I prove my intention and ability to provide special assistance to a specific business activity in Canada within the self-employment program?
Artists and athletes in this area need to convince the officer that you will continue your activities after arriving in Canada and that you will establish a business through those activities. For farmers, they must prove that they have the ability to purchase a farm in Canada and that they are knowledgeable about all the details involved in managing a farm in Canada, such as its geography, matters related to water and soil, and agricultural regulations in Canada.
How can I prove to the officer that I am capable of contributing significantly to the Canadian economy?
This is a very specialized area and varies from case to case. Consult with your advisor about this.
How long does it take to receive responses for self-employment applications?
Currently, the processing time for self-employment cases at the Canadian embassy is around 54 months.