Self-Employed and Want to Move to Canada? Here are 6 Ways to Make it Happen!

There is an immigration program for everyone in Canada! In addition, Canada has over 100 immigration programs! If you’ve been following all of the FREE resources I’ve been sharing for a while, you’ve probably heard me say this before!

If you are self-employed, you may also be able to use your business or self-employment to relocate to Canada. This could be either as a temporary or permanent resident.

This post will advise you on which programs/pathways to pursue. So, conduct additional research or consult with professionals (if necessary) before proceeding. This is critical!

There are six (6) possible ways to move to Canada as a business personnel:

1) The Express Entry Program

Canada launched the Express Entry system in 2015 to handle applications for permanent residency from SKILLED workers who want to live there permanently. Many applicants receive invitations to apply for permanent residency in Canada each year through one of the three (3) subcategories of the Express Entry System.

Because you are not need to have a job offer in Canada, Express Entry is the most popular program for applicants for permanent residence in Canada. You can apply for permanent residency through Express Entry using work experience from your home country, work experience while you were a student in your present nation, or work experience obtained after completing your studies there.

The beautiful part of this is that the work experience can also be as a self-employed person.

You are set to go as long as you can demonstrate that you are a business owner or self-employed and that your position falls under the category of a skilled employment in Canada.

Some of the documentation you may need to show as proof of your independence include:

A declaration of incorporation
A business registration certificate
Certificate of ethical behaviour in business
Evidence of your company’s online presence (website, social media sites)
financial statement for businesses
Return on taxes Audit report
business permits
Invoices
Work portfolio References from previous clients, business authorities, etc.

As many of these documents and other pieces of evidence that show you actually completed the work should be provided as you can.

As the draws are back, it’s a good time to start getting ready for the program, which I have written about in great detail in the past. You may read my prior in-depth writings about the program at:

• Express Entry in 8 simple steps. Available here
• Express Entry Application Guide. Available here

2) Provincial Nomination Programs

Programs for Provincial Nominees (PNPs) have two main objectives.

These can help you raise your Express Entry ranking. Your Express Entry score is increased by 600 points if you are nominated as an Express Entry applicant.
Even without an Express Entry profile, you can utilize them to immigrate to Canada. There are distinct nomination processes in some provinces that are not compatible with Quick Entry. Additionally, they do this by using these to bring foreign nationals to Canada as permanent residents.

You may see a thorough guide I wrote on how to obtain a Canadian provincial nomination here

Interesting fact: Each of Canada’s 10 provinces and 3 territories has separate rules for nominations. Hence, spend some time browsing the websites for each province on the abovementioned link to learn more. Find a province where you qualify for their program, too.

You can also apply for Provincial Nominee Programs using your self-employed business, exactly like with the Express Entry Program.

3) The Federal Self-Employed Program

People can immigrate to Canada permanently as self-employed individuals thanks to the Self-employed Individuals Program.

If this program appeals to you, you must:

possess relevant experience in athletics or culture, and be prepared and ready to significantly contribute to Canada’s cultural or athletic life.

According to the program’s eligibility requirements, you must:

• demonstrate right experience
• be prepared and able to work for yourself in Canada.
• meet the program’s eligibility requirements as well as the requirements for health, security, and other factors.

Your experience is pertinent if it dates back at least two years to the day you submitted your application, starting five years prior.

What does “cultural activities” mean in the context of the Self-Employed People Program?

Jobs commonly regarded as belonging to Canada’s creative and cultural fields include cultural activities. Examples comprise:

• creative and performing artists,
• musicians,
• authors and writers,
• technical support and other jobs in motion pictures,
• creative designers and
• craftspeople.
• painters,
• sculptors and other visual artists,

You can also do this if you are an athlete or self-employed in one of these fields.

You can learn more about the program and how to apply here.

4) Study in Canada

You can still apply to study in Canada from anywhere in the world, regardless of the country in which you currently reside or your level of experience. This is applicable to all academic levels.

The benefit of studying in Canada is that it qualifies you for more permanent residence programs than people who are not citizens of Canada. I’ve written a lot on this, and you may look at these resources:

• How to find schools and apply to study in Canada. Available here
• How to find scholarships in Canada. Available here
• The 15 schools to focus on for scholarships in Canada. Available here
• The 10 Canadian scholarships you must not miss every year. Available here.
• How to apply for a Canadian study permit by yourself. Available here

Self-employed people can use their prior business expertise to their advantage by coming to Canada for business-related degrees that will give them the knowledge and experiences they need to grow their company.

5) The Federal Start-up Program

Via the Federal Start-up Visa program, you can immigrate to Canada by launching a company, creating jobs, or assisting creative business owners.

The Start-up Visa Program in Canada favors immigrant business owners who have the aptitude and capacity to establish successful enterprises in Canada.

are creative, capable of generating jobs for Canadians, and capable of competing globally.

Do you have an original business concept? You might be able to immigrate to Canada if one of the recognized groups agrees to endorse your plan.

Thus, if you founded a business in your current country and want to expand it internationally or move it to Canada, now is your chance to do so and do so while also obtaining permanent residency. To learn more about the initiative, click here.

6) Provincial Entrepreneur Programs

There are business/investor programs for business owners or individuals who want to establish firms in any province in Canada, similar to the Federal Start-up Visa program.

You might have the chance to launch a similar company or venture in Canada in order to replicate your self-employed business there.

You can view the post I created, which details the many prerequisites for this, here.

Each of Canada’s ten provinces has its own rules for anyone who want to establish a business there with the goal of moving there permanently.

Pay close attention to your predicted net worth as well as the amount of money you must invest.

While there are many different methods to immigrate to Canada, these six immigration routes are a fantastic place to start for anyone interested in moving there and starting a business.

Remember the three Ps, as I often remind you. It takes a lot of thought and planning to relocate to another country. You must thus prepare, observe the law, and have patience.

I hope this is helpful to someone!