BIZFederal · Business
Self-Employed Persons Program
BIZ
Paused Paused since 2024-04-30; IRCC's December 2025 notice says the pause continues indefinitely and the program page (modified 2026-08-04) still says IRCC stopped accepting applications.
Points-assessed federal PR program for people with experience in cultural activities or athletics who intend to be self-employed in Canada. It has not accepted applications since 2024-04-30 because of a processing backlog, and no reopening has been announced.
Who it suits
- People with 2+ years of self-employed or world-class cultural or athletic experience (only for those who already applied)
- Not available to new applicants as of 2026-10-01
Requirements
- StatusIRCC stopped accepting applications on 2024-04-30; the 2025-12-19 notice says the pause continues indefinitely. ↗ canada.ca
- Work experienceAt least 2 years of relevant experience in the 5 years before applying: self-employed in cultural activities or athletics, or participation at world-class level in them, or a mix. Extra points for 3, 4 or 5 years. ↗ canada.ca
- Selection factorsAssessed on experience, education, age, language ability and adaptability. The pass mark was not on the page fetched. ↗ canada.ca
- Intent fundsApplicant must be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada and show enough money to support self and family after arrival. No dollar amount given on the page. ↗ canada.ca
How candidates are selected
Points grid (experience, education, age, language, adaptability) applied to each application. No applications are being accepted, so nobody is currently being selected.
Location requirement: must intend to settle outside Quebec
Processing: IRCC forward-looking estimate (updated 2026-09-03): more than 10 years, about 8,000 people waiting.
Related pathways
Limited intake
Atlantic Immigration Program
ClosedHome Care Worker Immigration Pilots (Child Care and Home Support)
ClosedAgriculture and agri-food occupations category
Limited intakeEducation occupations category
OpenHealthcare and social services occupations category
Limited intakeScience, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations category
Official sources
- canada.caProgram pageChecked 2026-10-01
- canada.caWho can applyChecked 2026-10-01
- canada.caHow to apply (pause notice)Checked 2026-10-01
- canada.caNotice: Update on immigration measures for entrepreneursChecked 2026-10-01
- canada.ca2024 pause announcementChecked 2026-10-01
- canada.caCheck processing times (IRCC)Checked 2026-10-01
- canada.caIRCC economic immigration briefingChecked 2026-10-01
Program rules change often. This page summarizes the official pages listed above; the official page always takes precedence.