Immigrating to Canada through Self-Employment
One of the methods of immigrating to Canada is through self-employment. In this approach, if the applicant is able to meet all the requirements set by the Canadian government, they can obtain a visa and permanent residency in the country. You can stay informed about these requirements by staying in touch with us at Palina Immigration Company.
In the self-employment immigration route to Canada, the country publishes a list of its specific and required fields and sectors, allowing eligible individuals to immigrate to Canada through this avenue. Two important conditions for qualifying in this immigration program are having at least two years of experience in the past five years and international presence in the desired field.
An important point to note is that the applicant must actively and professionally work in the declared field of interest to Canada. For example, it is not possible to engage in e-commerce as a secondary business while declaring a sports-related field to Canada. Generally, presenting a business plan is required to demonstrate one’s activity to the Canadian government.
The declared fields by the Canadian government include:
– International sports managers
– Sports managers in various sports disciplines
– Professional athletes in all fields
– Journalists and reporters
– Specialists in communications and public relations
– Translators
– Librarians
– Writers
– Specialists in history and arts
– Graphic designers and magazine/book designers
– Interior designers
– Individuals active in the fashion and exhibition industry
Typically, self-employment files take an average of two to four years to process. The steps involved in reviewing a self-employment immigration file are as follows:
1. The file is submitted to the Canadian Immigration Office.
2. After initial assessment, a file number is issued.
3. The file is forwarded to the relevant visa office.
4. When the file reaches its turn, it undergoes further review.
5. If necessary, the applicant may be invited for an interview.
Factors for Success in the Self-Employment Route
It should be noted that the most important factor for success in the self-employment immigration route is having a higher amount of financial resources, both in cash and non-cash forms. The greater the applicant’s capital, the higher their likelihood of success. It is also important for the applicant to have enough funds in their personal account to cover their expenses and those of their family for a period of six months. Alongside financial resources, experience is another influential factor. The applicant must provide financial documents from their current occupation as evidence. Work experience demonstrates stability in the desired occupation. From a general standpoint, the applicant’s age and language proficiency should be compatible with the proposed business or occupation.
Before presenting any business plan, it is important to understand the objectives of the Canadian government regarding the implementation of the self-employment immigration program. The government aims to enhance its artistic, cultural, and athletic sectors through this program. Therefore, regardless of the artistic or professional field, the applicant should consider the type of business plan and its compatibility with the social fabric of Canada.
Having international experience is one of the important and fundamental factors for achieving success in the self-employment immigration program. In other words, if the applicant’s name and reputation can be found online, their application process will be significantly smoother.
Now the question arises, how can one prove their financial resources and self-employment experience? To substantiate self-employment experience and financial resources, the applicant must provide bank statements and contracts related to their occupation. Earning income through their occupation greatly assists the reviewing officer in assessing the application. Documents that can be submitted to the immigration authorities include employment contracts, received checks, payment receipts, bank statements, letters of commendation, and similar documents.