Self-Employed Program – Immigration Pathways in Surrey
Being Self Employed Program in Surrey doesn’t hinder your immigration plans for Canada. There are Canadian immigration streams for self-employed individuals who wish to establish a business in Canada in specific sectors.
You must meet specific eligibility criteria, including two years of work experience set by the federal or provincial government. This experience can often be used to meet eligibility criteria for skilled worker programs. Canadian immigration streams require proof of your self-employment.
The Federal Self-Employed Persons Program
The Federal Self-Employed Program is specially designed for individuals with relevant work experience in the cultural, artistic, or athletic fields who intend to become self-employed in Canada and have the ability to establish themselves economically. Successful applicants can create self-employment or purchase and manage a Canadian farm.
What is relevant work experience?
Relevant work experience means your experience meets or exceeds the requirements the stream sets.
- Minimum two years of work experience gained in the last five years;
- Must have taken part in athletics, cultural activities, or farm management (world-class);
- Must have been a self-employed person in the relevant sector;
- Must contribute to the Canadian cultural, artistic, and athletic life.
You get points if the total work experience is more than two years. It would help if you met medical, security, & other requirements as well. It would help if you also showed enough financial net worth.
The Federal Self-Employed Persons Program utilizes a point-based grading system. The selection is based on your work experience, education, age, language, and adaptability.

Quebec Self-Employed Program
The Quebec Self Employed Program in Surrey requires candidates to demonstrate their intention to reside in the country and operate lawfully as self-employed individuals in their respective sectors, similar to the federal self-employed person program. As an applicant, you must invest CAD 100,000 (minimum) in your net worth.
This program caters to individuals who have experience in cultural activities or athletics. Candidates must have at least two years of relevant experience in their field and meet specific criteria related to their experience, education, age, language proficiency, and adaptability. Applicants must create employment opportunities and make a significant contribution to Quebec’s economy.

PNP for self-employed workers
Provincial Nominee Programs in Surrey, BC, often include streams specifically designed for self-employed individuals. These streams vary by province and territory but generally target individuals with the intention and ability to become self-employed in sectors deemed necessary (NOC level) for the local economy.
These programs typically require applicants to demonstrate relevant experience in a specific field, a viable business plan, and the financial means to establish them in the province or territory. Successful applicants receive a provincial nomination. Examples include BC PNP: Entrepreneur Immigration stream, SINP: Entrepreneur Category, and MPNP: Business Investor Stream.