Part 2: Canadian Permanent Residency options for self-employed persons or entrepreneurs

View Part 1: Canadian work permit options for self-employed persons and entrepreneurs here.

Once you have obtained a work permit to operate your business in Canada and accumulated work experience, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residence under one of the Express Entry streams.

For example, an entrepreneur may become eligible to enter the Express Entry pool under the Canadian Experience Class category after having accumulated 1 year or more of full-time Canadian work experience in the managerial job category (for example, Chief Executive Officer). Part-time work can also qualify. For example, working 15 hours a week for two years is equivalent of having worked full-time for one year. Any work performed while being a full-time student cannot be included.

Entrepreneurs in the managerial job category also need to take an approved language test in English or French and score on or above Canadian Language Benchmark level 7 on all four abilities (writing, speaking, reading, listening) to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class.

Separately from the Express Entry stream, a special pathway exists for certain self-employed persons in cultural or athletic fields. “Cultural professionals” includes creative professionals such as authors or writers, performing artists, musicians, painters, sculptors, motion picture industry professionals, creative designers, craftspeople, and more. “Athletic professionals” include athletes, coaches, sports officials, referees, program leaders, instructors in recreation, sport, and fitness.

To be eligible, each applicant must show at least 2 years’ record of gainful self-employment within the past 5 years, meet a minimum of 35 out of 100 selection points based on five criteria (education, experience, age, language ability, adaptability). The applicant should also show potential to make a “significant contribution” to Canada’s cultural or athletic sector, for example, by offering a unique artistic approach or methodology that would enrich the diversity of Canadian society.

*Note: this category is currently extremely backlogged as the date of writing. The official governmental estimate of processing time is 3.5 years. Although it may not be the quickest way to permanent residency, it could be a good option for someone abroad looking for a long-term option to move.