I have received emails asking about including a business plan with your Canadian federal self-employed application. To be clear, they don’t specifically ask for it.
When I received an update in my CIC account, they requested I prove my ability to create employment for myself at the very least once I arrive in Canada.
A business plan is one of the ways to provide this proof. I already had a huge business plan from when I started my business 5 years ago.
I just took that business plan and scaled it down significantly for the application after some research about starting and marketing a business in Ontario.
Canadian Federal Self-Employed Program (Business Plan Template)
Below are links to some useful resources for gathering information for a basic business plan. You can find many more with a search on the IRCC website:-
- Starting a business in Ontario
- Small businesses and self-employed income
- Sample business plans and templates
There’s no need to make the business plan included in your application as complicated or voluminous as the recommendations above.
Just use them as a guide for putting together the basic elements that show you know what you’re doing and not just jumping into this without proper planning.
I’ve created a template for a basic business plan, which you can download when you enter your details in the form below.
When you submit the form, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to download the business plan template for the Canadian Federal Self-employed Program.
I included a Word, Pages, and a PDF version of the business plan template.
My business model is a sole proprietorship. I work from home, out of coffee shops and libraries so my business plan was very simple.
Do You Need a Business Plan to Support Your Canadian Federal Self-employed Application?
I receive this question a lot but like I said in the beginning, you don’t NEED a business plan but it makes your application stronger.
The onus to prove your intentions are authentic is 100% on you and a business plan is one of the best ways to prove it.
How Long Should My Business Plan Be?
Do not overthink it. While your business plan should be as long as it needs to be, I don’t think it’s necessary to write another book of Revelations.
I doubt an IRCC officer has time to go through 50 pages of a business plan. Mine was around 25 pages and I still felt it was too long.
I Need Help With My Business Plan
If you require assistance with writing your business plan or filling up your self-employed application, have a look at my consulting and coaching page HERE.
If you have any questions, you can ask in the comments section. Good luck!
This post may contain affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. Read full disclosure HERE.
Dear NAIJA gIRL,
thanks A LOT FOR SHEARING THE INFORMATION AND IDEA WITH US. AMONG THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE PROVIDED, THE BUSINESS TEMPLATE WAS VERY USEFUL TO ME. IT GIVE ME A LOT OF IDEA AND i REALLY APPRECIATE FOR THAT.
You’re welcome.
HEY ABI!
I’M REALLY LOVING TO READ YOUR BLOG. THERE ARE A LOT OF AMAZING INFORMATIONS, IT’S REALLY HELPING ME.
I’M A PHOTOGRAPHER, AND I HAD JUST STARTED MY BUSINESS IN BRAZIL. I HOPE IN 2 YEARS I CAN START MY APPLICATION TO GO TO CANADA.
CAN YOU HELP ME?
1. I PUT MY DETAILS IN THE FORM BUT I DIDN’T RECEIVE THE DOWNLOAD LINK OF THE BUSINESS PLAN YOU INCLUDED IN YOUR APPLICATION. CAN YOU SEND ME, PLEASE?
2. HOW DID YOU PROVE YOUR EXPERIENCE OF 2 YEARS OF SELF-EMPLOYED? WHAT DOCUMENTS DID YOU USE?
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.
Hi, when you join the mailing list at the bottom of the page here https://naijagirlcanadianadventure.com/about, you will receive a welcome email that contains the download link as well as the password. Regarding experience, documents will depend on your profession. You can provide invoices, contracts, payment confirmations, etc.
Hello Abi .
So glad to stumbled on your page .
May God bless you for this selfless service .
Posterity WILL remember you for good .
Please I am interested in using your service .
Your attention to detail is second to none .
Hello Uduak, thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, due to volume, I have suspended my services until further notice. What specific service are you interested in?
Hey Abi,
Do you still off consulting and business plan creation services?
Yes, you can have a look at this page for more information – https://naijagirlcanadianadventure.com/federal-self-employed-coaching/
Just wanted to confirm that if i have several years of employment experience under one of the occupations listed for self employed and have won several international awards at cannes, would i qualify for this program or does it have to be self employment experience only?
Need more information but if you mean you were employed with a company and won several awards while employed with a company, you might qualify under “participating in cultural activities or athletics at the world-class level.” Check this post for more – https://naijagirlcanadianadventure.com/do-i-qualify-for-the-federal-self-employed-stream-program-to-canada.