The Self-Employed Persons (SEP) Program allows foreign cultural activities people or athletics to immigrate to Canada permanently.

Simply put, applicants who can establish their own employment in Canada are at Step 1 of the Self-Employed Persons program. SEP applicants must have relevant self-employment experience and make a significant contribution to the cultural, artistic, or athletic life of Canada. Purchasing and managing an existing firm in Canada is an option under SEP.

To be self-employed means that after immigrating to Canada, applicants do not take up jobs in the Canadian labour force but rather create jobs for themselves or other workers through personal business ventures.

 

Self-Employed Persons (SEP) Eligibility

SEP applicants must satisfy the following requirements in order to apply:

• In the past 5 years, they have at least 2 years of relevant experience. Detailed requirements will be listed below.
• Be able to create jobs for themselves and even other workers in Canada;
• Have the willingness and ability to contribute to Canadian culture and sports;
• Earn a points assessment of at least 35 points out of 100;
• Must meet medical requirements; and
• No criminal record.

 

Relevant Experience

In short, if you have taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or have been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics, your experience is relevant. 

1. For cultural activities:
   1. 2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
   2. 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
   3. a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)
2. For athletics:
   1. 2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
   2. 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in athletics, or
   3. a combination of a one-year period described in (a) above, and a one-year period described in (b) above

 

Points-Based Selection Criteria

There are 5 selection criteria for SEP: education, experience, age, language proficiency, and adaptability.

Selection Criteria	Maximum Points	Examples
Education	25	5 points for high school education; 25 points for a master’s degree
Experience	35	20 points for 2 years, plus 5 points for each additional year
Age	10	Full points for ages 21 to 49, minus 2 points after each year
Ability in English and/or French	24	16 points maximum for the first language; Up to 8 points for the second language
Adaptability	6	Spouse’s education can add 3-5 points