Self-employed person: Selection criteria
To qualify as a self-employed immigrant, you must:
- meet the definition of a self-employed person
- get a minimum of 35 points after we grade you based on our five selection criteria and point system
Your score
Your maximum possible score is 100. The pass mark is currently 35 points, but it may change. Make sure you visit this site regularly if you’re thinking about immigrating to Canada as a self-employed immigrant.
We select candidates based on:
- the documents that you give us
- your score under each of the selection criteria
- you meeting the definition of a self-employed person
As part of the immigration process, we may ask to interview you. During the interview, a visa officer will ask you to explain:
- information that is unclear or inconsistent
- shortcomings or gaps in the documents that you provide
If there’s a difference between your statement of your qualifications and the visa officer’s assessment, we’ll award points based on the officer’s decision.
| Selection criteria | Maximum points | Your score |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 25 | |
| Experience | 35 | |
| Age | 10 | |
| Ability in English and/or French | 24 | |
| Adaptability | 6 | |
| TOTAL | 100 |
Points for education: maximum 25 points
| Education | Maximum 25 points |
|---|---|
| You have a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 25 points |
| You have two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 22 points |
| You have a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 22 points |
| You have a university degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 20 points |
| You have a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 20 points |
| You have a one-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 15 points |
| You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 15 points |
| You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 12 points |
| You completed high school. | 5 points |
Points for experience: maximum 35 points
Relevant experience must have been obtained in the period that begins five years before you sign your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.
| Two years of relevant experience | 20 |
|---|---|
| Three years of relevant experience | 25 |
| Four years of relevant experience | 30 |
| Five years of relevant experience | 35 |
Points for age: maximum 10 points
You will be awarded selection points based on your age at the time when the visa office receives your application.
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| 16 or under | 0 |
| 17 | 2 |
| 18 | 4 |
| 19 | 6 |
| 20 | 8 |
| 21–49 | 10 |
| 50 | 8 |
| 51 | 6 |
| 52 | 4 |
| 53 | 2 |
| 54+ | 0 |
Points for language ability: maximum 24 points
Your proficiency in English or French is one of the 5 selection factors. You’ll be awarded up to 24 points for your basic, moderate or high proficiency in English and French. You’ll be given points based on your ability to:
- listen
- speak
- read and
- write
If you have some proficiency in both English and French, decide which language you’re more comfortable using. This is your first official language. The other is your second official language.
You must prove the level of language proficiency you claim on your application if you wish to have your official language proficiency considered in the assessment of your application for permanent residence.
Language tests we accept
You can take any of these approved language tests:
English
-
CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
- You need to take the CELPIP-General test.
-
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
- You need to take the IELTS General Training test.
- PTE: Pearson Test of English
- You need to take the PTE Core test.
You can use language test results for up to two years after the date you take your test, but the test results must be valid when you submit your application.
Description of each level of proficiency
| Proficiency Level | Ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | |
| HIGH: You can communicate effectively in most social and work situations. | Speaking: High | Listening: High | Reading: High | Writing: High |
| MODERATE: You can communicate comfortably in familiar social and work situations. | Speaking: Moderate | Listening: Moderate | Reading: Moderate | Writing: Moderate |
| BASIC: You can communicate in predictable contexts and on familiar topics, but with some difficulty. | Speaking: Basic | Listening: Basic | Reading: Basic | Writing: Basic |
| NO: You do not meet the above criteria for basic proficiency. | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level |
Points for adaptability: maximum 6 points
A maximum of 6 points for adaptability can be earned by any combination of the following elements.
| Adaptability | Maximum 6 points |
|---|---|
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education
|
3–5 |
| Previous work in Canada You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a minimum of one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit.
|
5 |
| Previous study in Canada You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a program of full-time study of at least two years’ duration at a post-secondary institution in Canada. You must have done this after you were 17 years old and with a valid study permit. There’s no need to have obtained a degree or diploma for these two years of study to earn these points.
|
5 |
| Relatives in Canada You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, have a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who is residing in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
|
5 |
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