This program targets those foreign nationals who have experience in cultural and athletic activities. This experience can relate to their self-employment or participation in those fields on a world class level. Qualified foreign nationals can also show their ability and intention to be self-employed in Canada. This is done by a well-thought business plan detailing the proposed Canadian business. This program is a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residency and, unlike Entrepreneur PNPs, this program does not require the applicant to first obtain a work-permit nor it requires the applicant to sign a business performance agreement. Nonetheless the applicant can get a C-11 Work Permit to come to Canada earlier and start the work while their PR application is in process. Language proficiency is not a requirement but extra points will be considered for having an official language score.
Legal Ground |
Section 88(1) of IRPR |
Eligibility |
– Obtain at least 35 points in the program’s point system;
|
Requirements | – Proving the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada through a well-thought business plan; |
Performance Obligations | None |
Financial/Investment Requirement | – No prescribed minimum amount (But a person’s financial assets is a measure of intent and ability to be established economically in Canada, and specific amount depends on the nature of the business); – Applicants must have sufficient funds to create an employment opportunity for themselves and maintain themselves and their family members (in general no less than $50,000); |
Required Supporting Documents | – Proof of having been self-employed in country of residence (company, contracts, etc.); – Proof of sufficient funds to operate the business in accordance with the business plan; – Applicant’s personal documents (i.e. resume, education, financial ability and etc.); – Proof of relevant experience in cultural and/or athletic fields; |
Processing Time | 34 months (likely to be reduced post-COVID19) |
Permanent Residency Prospect | Direct |
To qualify for this program, the applicant needs to get a minimum of 35 points out of 100. Points are given as follows:
EDUCATION | MAX 25 |
Master’s Degree or PhD & at least 17 years of full-time study. | 25 |
Two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level & 15 years of full-time study OR three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship & 15 years of full-time study. | 22 |
University degree of 2 years or more at the bachelor level & 14 years of full-time study OR two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship & 14 years of full-time study. | 20 |
One-year university degree at the bachelor level & 13 years of full-time study OR one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship & 13 years of full-time study. | 15 |
one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship & 12 years of full-time study. | 12 |
High School Diploma | 5 |
EXPERIENCE (in cultural and athletics activities) | MAX 35 |
Two years | 20 |
Three years | 25 |
Four years | 30 |
Five years | 35 |
AGE | MAX 10 |
Age < 16 or Age > 54 | 0 |
17 or 53 | 2 |
18 or 52 | 4 |
19 or 51 | 6 |
20 or 50 | 8 |
21-40 | 10 |
LANGUAGE ABILITY | MAX 24 |
ADAPTABILITY | MAX 6 |
Spouse or common-law partner’s education | 3-5 |
One year of full-time Canadian work experience (applicant or spouse or common-law partner) | 5 |
Two years of full-time study at a Canadian post-secondayr institution | 5 |
Relatives in Canada who is a PR or citizen (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of parent, sibling, child of grandparent, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew) | 5 |
Some examples are:
Some examples are:
“World-class participation” language is used in this program to identify persons who are known internationally. It also identifies persons who may not be know internationally but perform at the highest levels in their discipline.
Very important. Because it is a measure of your intent and ability to be established economically in Canada. Although there is no minimum investment level for a self-employed person, he or she must have sufficient funds to create an employment opportunity for themselves and maintain themselves and their family members. Basically you have to show that you have enough financial resources to execute you business plan.
You need to provide documents that show you earned a living through your talents. For example your contracts, invoices, account books, articles of association, self-employed pension and etc.
If you have gained your experience largely as an employee, you may still qualify. As per the federal court decision in Guryeva v. Canada, the fact that artists and writers were considered “employees” was not determinative.
Your proposed Canadian business have to be exactly in line with your experience in either cultural or athletics fields. You cannot propose a business that does not match your experiences.
No, but its viability is a deciding factor. Your proposed business shall be viable meaning it is capable of working out successfully.