Work your way through this breakdown to determine if you qualify for the Canadian federal self-employed program stream.
The federal self-employed stream is just one of the many ways through which people can immigrate to Canada.
This stream is specifically for persons who have been self-employed in certain professions for a minimum of 2 years.
The self-employed stream used to include farm management as well but it was suspended in March 2018. In this article, I’m going to break down:-
- Exact definition of the Canadian federal self-employed stream
- Occupations that fall under the Canadian federal self-employed stream
- How you can be considered under the Canadian self-employed stream even if you are working full time
- Some other FAQs I receive about the Canadian federal self-employed stream
If you’re interested in how I immigrated to Canada under the federal self-employed stream, you can read my story HERE.
What Exactly is the Canadian Federal Self Employed Stream?
The Federal Self-Employed program is for people who have been self-employed for at least 2 years in certain cultural activities or athletics.
These people should also show an intention to become self-employed in Canada under the same activity.
Canadian Federal Self-Employed Program Points
You need to score at least 35 points on a selection grid to qualify for this program. The five selection criteria and point system include:-
- Education – maximum points of 25
- Experience – maximum points of 35
- Age – maximum points of 10
- Ability in French and/or English – maximum points of 24
- Adaptability – maximum points of 6
Do I Qualify for the Canadian Federal Self-Employed Stream?
You must meet the definition of a self-employed person to qualify under this program.
IRCC defines this as, “a person who has at least two one-year periods of experience in the period from five years before the application date to the day a decision is made on the application.”
The experience must be in one of the following areas – self-employment in cultural activities or athletics or participating in cultural activities or athletics at the world-class level.
There are two classifications above. The second is for people who are world-renowned or international athletes like Olympians for instance.
The first classification is what would probably apply to most people but it is left to IRCC to determine where you fall into based on the content in your application.
What Professions Falls Under Cultural Activities?
So for the first category, what kind of cultural activities are they referring to? The main professions here are:-
- Authors and writers
- Creative and performing artists
- Musicians
- Painters
- Sculptors and other visual artists
- Technical support and other jobs in motion pictures
- Creative designers
- Craftspeople
This is the main framework. Under this framework, you can find many other occupations.
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has a complete breakdown of these professions HERE so don’t be nervous if you don’t see your profession above.
Knowing your specific NOC, title, and description will also help you put together a more composite application for whoever handles your case.
What Professions Falls Under Athletics?
The main professions that fall under athletics include:-
- Athletes
- Coaches
- Sports officials and referees
- Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport, and fitness
You can also have a combination of experience under cultural activities and athletics.
However, you must pick one NOC code. You cannot apply with several NOC codes.
Whichever profession you have the most experience under is your appropriate NOC code. Your CV can include all the other details.
Do You Require the IELTS for Canadian Federal Self-Employed Stream?
No, you do not. The minimum points to qualify are 35 so if you achieve that without IELTS, you don’t need to submit IELTS results.
Don’t start jubilating yet. :)
I recommend submitting IELTS results with your application anyway for the following reasons:-
- IELTS may be what tips your application over into acceptance if it isn’t as strong as it should be.
- IELTS gives you up to 24 additional points anyway so it doesn’t hurt to include it.
- You may need your IELTS results for something else when you arrive in Canada and it might be a hassle to start getting it together then.
I was at 60 out of 100 when I calculated my points without the IELTS but I added it for good measure.
Related Content: Best IELTS Exam Tips and Tricks for Immigration to Canada
Do I Qualify for the Canadian Federal Self-Employed Stream if I Have a Full-Time Job?
If you have a full-time job but have been working for yourself on the side (aka side hustle) as well for at least 2 years out of the 5 years preceding your application, yes you qualify.
Working full-time doesn’t automatically exclude you from this category.
However, you should have documentation that proves you have been working on the side under cultural activities or athletics for these two years in order to qualify.
What do I mean by documentation? Registered business, invoices, receipts, payment of taxes, etc.
For instance, if you work as a customer service executive during the day but you are also a special events photographer during the evenings and on weekends, and make income from your photography and intend to continue doing this in Canada, then yes you qualify.
How you represent all of this clearly on your application is what will help the officer who gets your file to make an informed decision about your case.
If you have a full-time job and your side hustle is just a hobby that you work on from time to time then you do not qualify.
If your only clients are your family then you are not self-employed. You are a hobbyist.
It’s important to understand this distinction before you start investing time and money in putting together an application that is destined to be rejected.
Please note the province of Quebec runs its own Self-Employed Program. You can access this program HERE.
I hope it’s now clear if you qualify for the Federal Self-Employed Program or not. If you have any questions, you can ask in the comments section.
Do you require assistance with putting together a thorough application that represents all your experience and future intention when you settle in Canada?
Have a look at my consulting and coaching services HERE.
This post may contain affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. Read full disclosure HERE.
hi girl
i have a question.. how can i prove that i make money through my side work? i must submit a diiferent bank account?
Copies of receipts and invoices.
I’m curious, if you think being a cookbook author and full time food blogger would qualify?
You should qualify as a writer and blog manager.
Thanks for your reply.
Welcome
Thanks for all this info. I have a question about IELTS: I Amply qualify for the self-employed program without any points for language proficiency. I’d be happy to take the IELTS but it’s not available anywhere near me due to COVID closures and I’d prefer not to delay my application for months waiting for testing centers to re-open.
The official immigration website seems to indicate that I need to wait to apply until I can take the IELTS. Do you know if my application will be processed without language testing results?
As far as I’m aware, you can submit your application without language results if you meet the cut-off. I suggest you submit but add an LOE about why you can’t take the IELTS yet. Can you please provide a link to the page that indicates you can’t submit the self-employed application without IELTS results?
Hello,
I am a textile designer( Make Adire fabrics ) what NOC do i qualify under? I see fabric makers and fashion designers but it states that you need to have a first degree in fine arts and visual arts.
My first degree is in another course and I have like 5years experience running my business.
I have no big investments to show, or landed properties.
Do you think this is still a good pathway for me to go through?
Regards.
I’ve sent you an email. Check your inbox.
Hi Abi! First off, thank you so much for your resources and advice! I’ve been writing professionally for the past three years on Patreon (I also have a book I self-published in 2019), and my worry is, does my income need to meet a specific criteria or does it not matter as long as I’ve been working and earning money regularly since I began my self-employment? (I earn on average $125/month for my writings on Patreon; in Nigeria, this is well above minimum wage, but I’m afraid that this earning might affect my application.)
Thank you in advance,
Viano.
Welcome. You do need to meet a certain minimum in addition to having the settlement funds required per person. Do you have the settlement funds at least and a healthy amount in savings, investments, etc?
Hi Abi! I do have the settlement funds, and have a bit saved as well. If I live off of nothing but the funds in my account, it should last me for a little over two years in Canada at least. Do you think that’s enough?
Adequate settlement finances are good but there are also other aspects you need to provide adequate evidence for; not just having enough money. Have a look at the selection criteria here to determine your points – https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/self-employed/eligibility/selection-factors.html. When you look through the questions on the forms as well then you’ll be able to determine if you have a good chance or not.
If you need help with that, you can have a look at my services here – https://naijagirlcanadianadventure.com/federal-self-employed-coaching/
Hi Abi. I sent you an email a few days back. Please let me know if you got it. If not, I can resend it here. Thanks!
Already responded :)
Hi
I am an electrical engineer And I have been running e-commerce stores for the last two years is that a good profile to apply with?
What’s your e-commerce store about?
Hi Abi,
Your story is very inspiring and I’m s grateful that I came across your blog because there’s close to none testimonials/success stories for this program until I found yours. I also sent you an email. I was just wondering if I should include all invoices? What if there’s more than a hundred invoices? Btw, I am a freelance graphic designer and illustrator since 2015. Thank you!
You shouldn’t include those in your initial application. There will be an additional request if this is required later on or they might ask you to bring it to the interview.
Hi Abi,
Thank you so much for providing these info. Can you tell me how much funds or bank balance is required to show for this self employed program? It’s written “$12,960” cad dollars on their website so do we have to show exact or like double?
Thanks in advance😊
Hi, I recommend How Much Do You Need to Immigrate to Canada? for more information on this. You can show more than required if you like.
Hi Abi
I’m a musician and a singer. I’m recognized by the cultural ministry of culture , I have my professional artist card. Is it eligible to prove my experience? or do I still need a reference letter from people I’ve worked with all these years of experience?
also I would like to know if a reference letter is going to be enough to prove my experience? Because I’ve got no invoices. All my work was paid by cash.
You will need a little bit more than reference letters to prove you qualify for the program especially if your scope is not on a worldwide level. Do you have an online trail of your work, awards, shows, etc? Videos and news articles? These can also help.
Still waiting for Acknowledgement of reciept since Sept 2021.
Patience is the name of this game. Did you apply online or by mail?
Online. And up till now, no single acknowledgement from CIC. How can one know the status of the application
Did you submit online or paper application?
Hy Abi.
I m an author. I write educational books used in schools. Pls I was told for an application to be successful one must keep btw 75 to 100 thousand Canadian dollars in the account for 6 months untouched.
Pls I LL like to know how true it is.
Awaiting your response pls. Thank you.
That’s not true at all. You should only have the amount required to immigrate for your category but as a self-employed person, it’s recommended to have a bit more than that but certainly not anywhere near 75k for the self-employed category. Read this for more information – https://naijagirlcanadianadventure.com/how-much-do-you-need-to-immigrate-to-canada/
Hi Abi!
I have two blogs ( one is a lifestyle self-improvement blog and the second is a skincare + beauty blog) that I currently make money from, It is my full time job but I do not have a university degree in writing or digital marketing, I have a degree in Business Administration. Do I still qualify? When I read in The NOC section, It said TEER 1 requires a University degree…does it require a degree in the field you will be applying for? Please let me know!
Thank you
It depends on quite a few things. Like do you write exclusively for your blogs or do you guest write on other blogs, for instance? Can you post a link to this TEER 1 requirement? I’m not familiar with that.
I am not able to paste the link here for some reason can i email you? I tried clicking on reply email but option is unavailable
Is there a way i can email you link then?
You can contact me on this page – https://naijagirlcanadianadventure.com/contact/
I have filled it out, Please check if you received it!
Replied.
Hello, there. Please, is it mandatory to write IELTS? Will it affect the odds of getting PR? I calculated my points and i have around 60 points already.
It’s not mandatory to provide IELTS results but it can’t hurt. You will also need those results when you apply for citizenship BTW. If time is a factor for you, you can submit the IELTS results later on in the application process. HTH.