Self-employed Persons Program
IRCC shows the status as “Paused”. Read on IRCC’s page on November 9, 2026.
The Self-employed Persons Program gives permanent residence to people with relevant experience who intend to be self-employed in Canada in cultural activities, athletics or, under the Regulations, farm management. It is for artists, performers, athletes and farmers who can make a significant contribution in those fields. IRCC currently shows it as paused.
Who is eligible
- You must be a “self-employed person”: relevant experience plus the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada (IRPR s 88(1)).
- Relevant experience means at least two years, in the five-year window the Regulations set, in cultural activities, athletics or farm management (IRPR s 88(1)).
- An application from someone who isn’t a self-employed person is refused without further assessment (IRPR s 100(2)).
Steps
- Check IRCC’s page for the current pause before preparing an application.
Documents you’ll usually need
- Evidence of self-employment or world-class participation in cultural activities or athletics.
What the law says
“the self-employed persons class is hereby prescribed as a class of persons who may become permanent residents”
Creates the self-employed persons class.
“self-employed person means a foreign national who has relevant experience and has the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada”
Defines “self-employed person” and “relevant experience”.
Official IRCC pages
Program rules not written in the statute, plus current fees and processing times, are on IRCC’s own pages:
Common mistakes
- Applying on general business experience. The definition covers only cultural activities, athletics and the purchase and management of a farm (IRPR s 88(1)).
Frequently asked questions
Is the self-employed program open?
IRCC shows the status as “Paused” (checked 2026-11-09).
Related streams
- Start-up Visa Paused
Permanent residence for founders backed by a designated venture capital fund, angel group or incubator.
- Provincial Nominee Program Open
A province or territory nominates you for permanent residence based on its own labour needs.