Many foreign workers choose to immigrate as a self-employed person or a freelancer. This is beneficial if you want to avoid working for corporations or having a prearranged offer of employment. There are a few programs available if you want to immigrate as a self-employed person to Canada.
The federal government offers the Self-Employed Persons Program to foreign nationals. If you want to immigrate to Quebec, then you can opt for the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program. There are other programs available at the provincial level but for this blog, let's focus on the above-mentioned programs.
What Are the Requirements for the Canadian Self-Employed Immigration Programs?
Federal Self-Employed:
The Federal Self-Employed Persons Program is for foreign nationals who are self-employed professionals in either farming or cultural or world-class athletic fields. Applicants must have 2 years of work experience obtained in 1 of the following ways:
- 2 years of experience as a self-employed individual in your profession
- 2 years of experience as a participant at a world-class event in your profession
- 1-year of experience in each of the activities mentioned above
Applicants must also intend to reside outside the province of Quebec to qualify for this program.
Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program:
The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program requires you to have at least 2 years of work experience as a self-employed person and have a minimum net worth of at least $100,000. You must also have the ability to create your job while residing in Quebec. You must also score the minimum required points on the Quebec self-employed worker assessment grid.
