Minimum work experience required:

• For skilled professionals (not tradespeople): one-year work experience in the past 10 years.
• For skilled tradespeople: two years’ work experience in a skilled trade in the past five years.
• One year of work experience in Canada in the past three years (skilled tradespeople and skilled professionals).
• Your work experience must be related to your job and education.

Manitoba

Eligibility Criteria:

A friend or relative who has a PR status/Canadian citizenship will have to submit an Expression of Interest under-skilled worker overseas. The Expression of Interest should have details about:

• your identity
• your contact information
• your education, work experience, and official language proficiency
• your connection to Manitoba and Canada

British Columbia

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify, you must first have a valid job offer from a B.C. employer. You should also have the relevant training and experience.

Alberta

Eligibility criteria

An application can be made by candidates who have demonstrated good ties to Alberta or who can help support the economic growth and diversification goals of the government.

New Foundland and Labrador

Eligibility Criteria:

• You must have taken the IELTS or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) language test within the last twelve months and have a score equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 or higher.
• You must have a minimum age of 21 years of age
• You must have an intention to live in Newfoundland and Labrador on a permanent basis

Nova Scotia

To apply for this province, applicants must have at least one year of experience working in Nova Scotia in a highly skilled occupation.

Eligibility Criteria:

• You must have at least 1 year of work experience in the province.
• You must be between 21 to 55 years.
• Your education should be a Canadian high school credential or equivalent.
• You should have language ability in English or French on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).
• Your profile must be registered in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system

Ontario

Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

Eligibility criteria:

You must have a clear profile in the Express Entry system of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC’s) and obtain a Notification of Interest from Ontario before you can apply online to be nominated for permanent residence by the Ontario government.

Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories Express Entry Stream for Skilled Workers

Eligibility criteria:

• Possess the Express Entry pool acceptance letter issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry Pool.
• Provide a valid job seeker validation code.
• Maintain legitimate status during the application process in the Express Entry pool.
• Meet the qualifying requirements for the Skilled Worker Stream of the Northwest Territories.
• Must have interest in permanently settling in the Northwest Territories.

Those wishing to apply for the PNP programs linked with Express Entry pool must first create an Express Entry profile. There is also the option for applying under the non-Express Entry aligned PNPs.

If you are applying under such a PNP, you can add 600 CRS points to your Express Entry application. This increases your possibility of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for your PR visa in the subsequent invitation round. Those wishing to apply for such PNP programs must first create an Express Entry profile.

You will be asked to indicate the province or territory in which you are interested. Then you will either have to apply directly for nomination depending on the province or territory, or you will be selected and notified by the province.

Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada

Saskatchewan PNP

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has the International Skilled Worker Category which has two active streams that do not require job offers. The first is the Saskatchewan Express Entry-linked stream, which requires the applicant to have an active profile in the federal Express Entry system. The second is the Saskatchewan Occupation In-Demand stream, which requires the applicant to have at least one year of work experience in one of the positions featured in the In-Demand Occupations List of Saskatchewan.

Application steps for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

• Make an online account
• Fill in the form to complete the various sections.
• After you’ve completed the basics, scan and upload all of your completed forms and other supporting documents to your online application in PDF format. (Remember to keep the originals for future reference.)
• Save and submit your application online, then wait for instructions to complete the next steps.
• Once the SINP receives the complete online applications, it will provide a receipt letter to candidates
• Next, it will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and in case of any missing or incomplete documents or information; it will contact the candidate regarding the same
• It will appoint candidates for permanent residency status to the federal government if they meet the eligibility requirements.
• Candidates who have been nominated for the SINP will have 30 days to accept the nomination in the Express Entry system.
• Candidates have 60 days from the time the nominations are accepted to submit this application.
• IRCC will issue permanent resident visas if the candidate meets all of the requirements.

Processing time

The information on SINP application processing time is updated (every three months). After receiving the applicant’s completed application, the processing begins.

Benefits of Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program

If an applicant wishes to apply for a permanent visa in Canada, the SNIP program provides many benefits. The following are a few of them:

• Each year, the SINP receives a large number of applications.
• Application processing is completed quickly.
• Prompt assistance from immigration officials at the provincial level
• To be eligible for the program, you must have a minimum of 4-5 CLB levels

Candidates for Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) can apply under any one of the following categories:

1. International Skilled Worker Category
2. Saskatchewan Experience Category
3. Entrepreneur and Farm Category
4. International Skilled Worker Category: This category offers opportunities for skilled workers from outside Canada. Under this stream, the province of Saskatchewan will select candidates to nominate for immigration if they have the skilled work experience any one of Saskatchewan’s in-demand occupations.

2.Saskatchewan Experience Category: Under this category, foreign nationals who are already living and working in Saskatchewan and want to become permanent residents can apply. This program is divided into several streams.

3. Entrepreneur and Farm Category: This stream is open for those who want to start a business in the province or wish to own or operate a farm in Saskatchewan.

Before you apply under any of these categories ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements.

Application process

Application to the SINP is a two-step process.

In the first step you must first submit an Expression of Interest for SINP. Based on your qualifications you will be given a score out of 100 points using the SINP points assessment grid. To be eligible you must score a minimum of 60 points out of 100. Candidates with the highest scores will be invited to apply for the SINP.

In the second step, you must submit an official application for provincial nomination. Once your application is approved you can directly apply to the Canadian government for your permanent resident status.

Manitoba PNP

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) welcomes graduates, skilled workers, businesspeople and their families to settle in the province as permanent residents.

PNP pathways in Manitoba

Skilled Worker Stream: This stream is open for skilled workers who can meet the needs of the local labor market. There are two streams under this category:

• Skilled Workers in Manitoba
• Skilled Workers Overseas

International Education Stream: This stream is for international students graduates in Manitoba. There are three pathways under this stream:

• Career Employment Pathway
• Graduate Internship Pathway
• International Student Entrepreneur Pilot

International students from other provinces are not eligible for this stream.

Business Investor Stream: Under this stream Manitoba will recruit and nominate qualified business investors and entrepreneurs from around the world intend to start or buy a business in Manitoba.

There are two pathways under this stream:

• Entrepreneur Pathway
• Farm Investor Pathway

Eligibility requirements

• Applicant must be between 21 and 45 years
• Must have at least an undergraduate degree or diploma
• Have a minimum score of 60 out of 100 in the MPNP assessment grid
• Have a minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant field
• Must have a valid job offer in an occupation in-demand
• Must have a minimum score of 4.5 I IELTS exam

The Manitoba PNP draws work on an Expression of Interest (EOI) basis.

Manitoba PNP In-demand occupations: This is an important aspect of each pathway in Manitoba. This list provides details of in-demand occupations in the province. These are related to specific skilled streams. Applicants must belong to the specific occupation and meet the criteria and requirements for the pathway. Those meeting these conditions will qualify for the draw.

Candidates must meet the criteria and conditions for any of the pathways. During the Expression of Interest draws, candidates who work in a high-demand profession will be given priority. Individuals may be qualified for one of the pathways even though they have no prior experience in one of the mentioned professions in some cases

Alberta PNP

The province of Alberta has over the years become a popular destination for immigrants to settle in Canada under the Provincial Nominee program (PNP). The province offers several job opportunities owing to its impressive economic growth in recent years. The Alberta PNP is known as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). This is an economic immigration program which nominates immigration candidates for permanent residence in Canada.

The nominees must have the skills and abilities to fill the job shortage in the province. Individuals nominated under the program can apply for a PR visa together with their spouse and dependent children.

The applications for the AINP are managed by the IRCC. The final decisions on the PR visa are taken by the federal government.

Eligibility requirements for the AINP

• Applicants should have a job offer for full-time and/or permanent employment from an Alberta employer.
• They must have the basic work experience required by the employer to qualify for immigration nomination
• They should have the minimum scores in the language proficiency tests to qualify for a nomination
• They should show an intention to live and work in Alberta
• Applicants should have a legitimate work permit and other associated documents
• They should identify their occupation under any of the NOC categories _ O, A and B
• Applicants must submit proof of legal residence in their home country
• Applicants should have a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) confirmation letter

Steps to apply

Step 1. Read the AINP terms and conditions

Step 2. Review the AINP selection criteria

Step 3. Review the language testing requirements

Step 4. Download the Document Checklist and complete the required forms

Step 5. Mail the application

Alberta Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream (FGSVS)

In order to help the province of Alberta revive its economy and recover from the loss of jobs and businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) announced two programs in October 2020.

The first program called the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream opened in October itself while the details of the second program the Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream (FGSVS) was released recently.

The FGSVS is an economic immigration program intended for foreign educated graduates who are from outside Canada but wish to set up a startup or business in Alberta.

The Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream (FGSVS) is a partnership between the AINP and two agencies designated by the provincial government- Vancouver-based Empowered Startups and Calgary’s Platform Calgary.

These two agencies will review the business plans of the foreign graduate applicants based on the following criteria:

• The plan should be able to demonstrate a market need or demand
• The business should have the potential to be successful in the market from short-term to medium-term
• The plan should have details of customer acquisition and business development
• The plan should have details of key partnerships and financial plans that will help to fund the development and operation of the start-up.

After finishing the assessment, the designated agency will submit a written report. The applicants have to submit this report along with their application to the program.

Ontario PNP

Ontario is the most populated province in Canada with over 40 percent of Canadians living here.  Canada’s capital city of Ontario is located here.

Ontario’s provincial nominee program is called the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Immigration candidates with skills and experience receive a provincial nomination through which they can apply for permanent residency in Canada.

The OINP has the following immigration categories:

1.Human Capital Category has two categories – Ontario’s Express Entry streams and the International Graduates streams.

Eligibility requirements

Express entry stream- Candidate must have received notification of interest from Ontario and have an updated profile.

International graduate stream- To qualify in either of its two streams- Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams- the candidate must have a degree from an eligible Ontario university and apply within two years of getting the degree.

2.Employer Job Offer Category- three streams

1. Foreign Worker stream
2. International Student stream
3. In-Demand Skills stream

Eligibility requirements

Full-time and permanent job offer from an employer in Ontario.

The General Category, also known as the Employer Category or the International Skilled Workers with a Job Offer Stream, allows Ontario employers to hire foreign workers for skilled positions that have been approved (NOC Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B). These workers may be based in Canada or abroad at the time of application.

Both the employer and the foreign national must request an application in this category to demonstrate that the eligibility criteria have been met. To have the vacancy they want to fill accepted, employers must first send a Pre-screen Application to the OINP. If this application is accepted, the employer must then send a Nominee Application to the OINP for the foreign worker they choose to hire.

Applicants who choose to work as a foreign worker under the OINP General Category must meet the following requirements:

Have at least two years (24 months) of paid and verifiable work experience in their intended occupation, either in Canada or abroad, during the previous five years OR have the requisite Ontario registration if applying for a regulated occupation in the province.

Have a permanent, full-time employment offer from an employer who is also submitting an application in a professional occupation (NOC levels 0, A, or B); and must be living abroad OR residing, employed, or visiting Canada on a valid work permit, study permit, or visitor record.

3.Business Category

Eligibility requirements

Candidate must be an entrepreneur from outside Canada looking to implement a new business idea or buy an existing business in Ontario.

Steps to apply

There are three main steps to follow when applying for OINP:

1.Ensure that you qualify

After selecting the stream, you want to apply under, ensure you fulfill all the mandatory requirements for the stream.

2. Apply for nomination by the Ontario government

Apply online, through the OINP e-Filing Portal, this will take two to three hours.

3. Apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence

If your application is successful and you are nominated by the province, you can apply for your permanent residence through IRCC.

New Brunswick PNP

New Brunswick is a maritime province in Canada. It is the only officially bilingual province in Canada, with around 30 percent of the population speaking French as a first language. New Brunswick’s Provincial Nominee Program or the NBPNP targets prospective immigrants who have the required skills and experience.

The NBPNP has the following streams for different immigration categories:

• Express Entry Labor Market Stream
• Skilled Workers with Employer Support
• Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
• Entrepreneurial Stream
• Skilled Workers with Family Support
• Succession Connect pilot program

New Brunswick is also one of the four participating Atlantic provinces working with the Government of Canada in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP).

 Eligibility requirements for the NBPNP

• Candidate must be between 22 and 55
• Have the required language proficiency and have language test result not less than two years old as proof
• Must have completed the ECA
• If applying for a provincial nomination under an occupation, applicant must have a valid job offer from a New Brunswick employer
• Have at least 12 months of full time or part time work experience in the province three years before making the application
• Must sign a commitment to live and work in the province
• Show proof of having enough funds to support themselves and their families

Steps to apply for NBPNP

Determine your eligibility

Apply for the most promising New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Stream

Get your ECA done

Complete the language proficiency tests

Submit your application

Receive your provincial nomination certificate

Express Entry stream of the New Brunswick PNP or NBPNP

This stream is called the New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream. Candidates who receive an enhanced provincial nomination from this stream receive an additional 600 CRS points, resulting in an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence being given at a later draw from the Express Entry pool.

The New Brunswick Express Entry Labor Market Stream (NB-EELMS) uses the ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) model. Candidates should fill out an EOI form and send it to the NBPNP from the first to the fifteenth of each month. Candidates are given a score based on the information they provide, and then they are evaluated based on a number of other factors.

The top-ranked candidates are invited by e-mail to apply to the NBPNP. If nominated, NBPNP applicants will be processed via the federal government’s Express Entry electronic immigration management system, which will try to process applications in six months.

Nova Scotia PNP

Nova Scotia is a highly-favored province by immigrants because it favors highly skilled workers.

The Nova Scotia PNP allows applicants to qualify under a range of skilled occupations. Apart from these entrepreneurs, international graduates and temporary foreign works can use the PNP of this province to settle down in Canada.

The Nova Scotia Immigration Program is aligned with the Express Entry system. Candidates with an active Express Entry profile are eligible to apply for this program. Nova Scotia’s PNP offers two categories.

Category A which requires candidates to have a job offer from an employer in the province. This could be a challenge for applicants from outside Canada.

Category B does not have such a condition. The candidates are only required to have experience in any of the in-demand occupations in the province.

 Here are the eligibility requirements to apply under the two categories:

 Eligibility requirements to apply under Category A

Applicant must register his profile with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system

• He must score a minimum of 67 points or more in the eligibility criteria
• He must have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer for full-time work with a validity of at least one year after your PR visa is issued
• He must have at least one year of skilled work experience related to the job
• He must have completed education equivalent to Canadian high school credentials
• He must prove his proficiency in either English or French based on the Canadian Language Benchmark
• He must have financial resources to help him settle in the province

Eligibility requirements to apply under Category B

Applicant must be in one of the target occupations as identified in the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry guide

Applicant must register his profile with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry system

• He must score a minimum of 67 points or more in the eligibility criteria
• He must have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in one of the province’s target occupations
• He must have completed education equivalent to Canadian high school credentials
• He must prove his proficiency in either English or French based on the Canadian Language Benchmark
• He must have financial resources to help him settle in the province

Application process

• Apply in Nova Scotia
• Fulfil the requirements and submit the complete application
• Obtain a nomination from the province
• Receive the nomination certificate
• Apply for Canada PR Visa with IRCC

Different streams under the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program

Here are details of the different immigration streams under the Nova Scotia PNP

Nova Scotia demand: Express Entry: This stream is for highly skilled candidates with a valid Express Entry profile. NSNP will use this stream to search the federal government’s express entry pool for candidates who meet the requisite qualifications.

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry: This program is similar to the federal Express Entry program, which requires express entry candidates to apply for provincial nomination. Candidates must have a minimum of one year of work experience in a skilled occupation in the province to be eligible for this stream.

Nova Scotia: Skilled Worker: Employers in the province should use this stream to find foreign employees and international graduates with the skills they need. In order to apply for PR under this program, the skilled worker must have a job offer from an eligible employer.

Nova Scotia Physicians: This program is for skilled immigrants who have received a job offer from a health-care organization in the province.

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur: This stream allows experienced businessmen from all over the world to immigrate to Nova Scotia to start their own company or purchase an existing one. They are nominated for permanent resident status after operating the company for a period of one year.

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur: This stream is for recent foreign graduates from the province’s educational institutions who have started or owned a company in the province for at least one year.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities: This stream is designed to attract skilled express entry candidates with work experience in a high-demand occupation in the province.

Nova Scotia Occupations In-Demand: This stream is for immigrants who have job offers from eligible provincial employers in a high-demand occupation. Applicants with experience as nurse assistants, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC Code 3413) OR transport truck drivers are eligible for this stream (NOC Code 7511).

Prince Edward Island PNP

Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Nominee Program also known as the PEI PNP provides prospective immigrants with experience and skills opportunities to apply for the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Certificate after which they can apply for the Canadian permanent residence.

The PEI PNP offers three major immigration categories:

• PEI PNP Express Entry
• Labor Impact Category
• Business Impact Category

PEI PNP Express Entry

Under this category, candidates who are eligible under the Express Entry pool and are interested to live in the province can apply. However only those candidates who have skills that match the labor needs of the province will be considered for nomination under this category.

Application process

Step 1: After a full application and all supporting documents have been submitted, the processing period for qualifying applications will take up to three months or longer.

Step 2: Within six months of obtaining your candidate certificate, apply for a permanent resident visa for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly CIC). Applicants, their spouse/common-law partner, and their children.

For eligible foreign nationals, the PEI PNP Express Entry combination makes immigration to the province both quicker and easier. When using Canada Express Entry, the entire PEI immigration process could take as little as six months in some cases.

Labor Impact Category

Immigration candidates who have the required skills and experience to meet the needs of the labor market in the province. The stream has three categories:

1.Skilled Worker Stream: This stream is for workers who have been selected or identified by an employer in the province. To be eligible to apply under this stream, the applicant must be either working in the province or have a job offer from an employee in the province.

2.Critical Worker Stream: This stream is applicable to workers who have been hired by an employer in the province and the employer wishes to sponsor them for a PR visa. The applicants can belong to either a semi-skilled or unskilled profession.

3.International Graduate Stream: Recent graduates from recognized universities and colleges in the province who have already been hired by a PEI employer. Eligible applicants will have to work in a skilled profession related to their field of study.

Business Impact Category

This category has a single stream called the Work Permit Stream. This stream is for individuals who want to invest in a business in the province.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

Prince Edward Island is also one of four provinces included in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP).

British Columbia PNP

The British Columbia (BC) PNP is a pathway for permanent residence for highly skilled workers, in-demand workers, and entrepreneurs. This program is operated by the province’s government in collaboration with the federal immigration department and the IRCC.  The province gets a limited number of nominations each year.

 The BC PNP accepts applications under three major categories:

1. Skills Immigration
2. Express Entry BC
3. Entrepreneur Immigration

Each category has its individual streams.

Here are more details about each stream

1. Skills immigration: This stream is targeted at skilled and semi-skilled workers required for high-demand occupations in the province and further divided into five categories.

• Skilled Worker Category
• Healthcare Professional Category
• International Graduate Category
• International Post-Graduate Category
• Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category

Invitations under this stream are issued based on points. Some of the categories do not need prior work experience. Skilled workers require work experience while the entry level and semi-skilled category of workers need to have some work experience in the province. Recent international graduates from a Canadian university or college do not need any prior work experience.

2. Express Entry BC: This stream provides a faster way for skilled workers to move to the province. To qualify for this stream, you must be eligible under a federal economic immigration program. Applicants must complete their Express Entry profile and meet the eligibility requirements in any one of the following immigration programs under Express Entry:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

If applicants meet the minimum eligibility requirements under any of the above programs, they will get their Express Entry profile number.

The invitations are given provided applicants qualify under a points-based system. The eligibility requirements under this stream are similar to the Express Entry stream which includes relevant work experience, language and education requirements.

3.Entrepreneur Immigration:  This program consists of three streams.

• Entrepreneur Immigration Category
• Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot
• Strategic Projects Category

Entrepreneur immigration category: This stream is for entrepreneurs who wish to set up a business in the province. The invitation under this system is also points-based. The applicants must have the required funds to invest in a business. They will be eligible for PR under the entrepreneur immigration stream.

Entrepreneur immigration regional pilot stream: This is for investors wishing to start a new business in the regional communities across the province.

Strategic projects category: Under this category foreign based companies can set up their operations in the province. Five foreign professionals who can work for the business can be nominated for PR in the province under this scheme.

Eligibility requirements for the BC Entrepreneur program

Individuals must meet the following requirements in order to register:

Have a basic English or French language ability of level 4 or higher on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).

Have been properly admitted to the nation in which they now reside

Having a personal net worth of at least $600,000 is required. Personal net worth must be obtained in a legal and verifiable manner. The candidate is required to disclose his personal net worth

Have spent at least three years as an active business owner-manager OR four years as a senior manager OR a combination of at least one year as an active business owner-manager AND at least two years as a senior management (in the previous ten years)

Have a post-secondary degree OR have spent at least three of the previous five years as an active business owner-manager with 100% control of the company. The candidate, his or her spouse or common-law partner, and/or his or her dependent child(ren) may all hold a portion of the business

Within 610 days (approximately 20 months) of arriving in B.C. on a BC PNP-supported work permit, demonstrate an eligible personal investment of at least $200,000 in the proposed business

Demonstrate that the business will create at least one permanent, new full-time equivalent job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada within 365 days (12 months) of the arrival date.

Entrepreneur immigration category: This stream is for entrepreneurs who wish to set up a business in the province. The invitation under this system is also points-based. The applicants must have the required funds to invest in a business. They will be eligible for PR under the entrepreneur immigration stream.

Eligibility requirements

A personal net worth of at least $600,000 that has been legitimately acquired.

Invest a minimum of $200,000 in a new or existing business in British Columbia that meets the criteria.

Create at least one new full-time position for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in your company.

Level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark In each of the four competencies: hearing, speaking, reading, and writing, in either English or French.

Experience in business and/or management.

Have lawful temporary immigration status in Canada, or be eligible for it.

Entrepreneur immigration regional pilot stream: This is for investors wishing to start a new business in the regional communities across the province.

Eligibility requirements

A minimum net worth of $300,000 is required.

A minimum of $100,000 in qualified business investments is required.

A minimum of 51 percent ownership in the new company is required.

Level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark In each of the four competencies: hearing, speaking, reading, and writing, in either English or French.

At least one full-time employment for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident must be created.

Visit the target community for an exploratory visit.

Eligibility requirements for communities

Have a population of less than 75,000 people, it is a small town.

Must be within 30 kilometers of a municipality with a population of more than 75,000 inhabitants.

Demonstrate a network of existing settlement and business support agencies to assist the entrepreneur.

Strategic Projects Category: Under this category foreign based companies can set up their operations in the province. Five foreign professionals who can work for the business can be nominated for PR in the province under this scheme.

Eligibility requirements

Make a $500,000 minimum equity investment.

For each foreign essential staff member recommended, create at least three new employment for Canadian citizens or permanent residents (to a maximum of five key staff).

Start a business or buy an existing one and expand it in BC.

Eligibility requirements for the BC PNP Strategic Occupations Stream

Must have a work offer from a British Columbia employer that cannot be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and must be one of the two. Applicants applying under the International Postgraduate category are an exception.

English or French fluency is required.

Meet the minimal income criterion in British Columbia.

An applicant will file under one of four categories under the Skills Immigration Category.

Applicants must have an Express Entry profile.

A Skilled Worker

• Applicant must have a job offer in skill type 0, A, and B of NOC

A Healthcare Professional

• Physicians, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and midwives

An International Graduate

This is for students who have completed high school in Canada and wish to apply to the BC PNP program.

 International Post-Graduate

This is for students who have received a Master’s or Doctoral degree from a British Columbian institution.

A Semi-Skilled Worker in select tourism/hospitality occupations, and food processing occupations

Even if they have not received a job offer from a BC employer, international students who have received a master’s or doctorate degree in the natural, applied, or health sciences from accredited, recognized BC universities within the last two years are eligible to apply.

British Columbia Tech Pilot program

The BC PNP Tech Pilot is an initiative under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) to support the tech sector in recruiting top international talent.

• Invitations to apply (ITA) are sent out weekly to interested candidates employed in one of 29 qualifying tech occupations in British Columbia (applicants still need to register with the BC PNP)
• Employers with technology may use a dedicated concierge program
• Production of tech applications is given first priority
• Engagement and outreach to the tech industry with a particular target in mind
• Job offer period has some wiggle room

Application process

Applicants to the BC PNP must follow a two-stage process, they must first apply for a nomination to the provincial government and if they are nominated, they must next apply for permanent residence to the federal government.

Differences between the various PNP programs

Some PNP Canada streams are aligned with the Express Entry system, while some are not aligned to the EE system.

Some PNP programs require applicants to have a job offer, while others do not.

Applicants can apply directly to some PNP streams while others issue invitations on an Expression of Interest (EOI) basis, where applicants must first get an ITA before submitting their application.

Need for PNP:

More than 80 percent of migrants prefer to settle down in the big cities and municipalities. Provinces are looking at steering immigrants away from the big cities to settle in provinces to promote development in smaller cities and municipalities and contribute to their economic development. Many provinces and territories recently introduced regional PNP streams to encourage migrants to move to regional areas.

Provinces look for immigrants who can contribute to the economic growth of the province and are ready to settle down in the province. The provinces look for the following conditions when selecting candidates:

• A job offer in the province
• Work experience in important industries
• English or French language skills
• Presence of close relations in the province
• Ability to adapt to lifestyle in the province

How do I qualify for a PR visa through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

If you feel that you may not get the required points for a PR visa under the Express Entry program, you can consider the Provincial Nominee Program. There are two ways to use the PNP program to get your PR visa.

1. If any province requires a profile like yours, they can select your profile for nomination and send you an invitation to apply for a PR visa.
2. If you want to settle in a specific Canadian province, you can directly apply to that province.
3. If you meet the requirements you will receive a nomination from the province. You can apply for permanent residency after you receive the nomination form.

Another advantage of using the PNP program is you can include the points you scored in the Express Entry Program if you applied for a PR visa under that program earlier. These points will be added to your PNP profile.

A step-by-step method to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program

• Identify the right PNP: You will first have to identify the province you want to migrate to, then you should the PNP streams that you qualify for by checking the requirements of that province.
• Apply to the PNP you have chosen: Apply directly to that particular province.
• Get Provincial Nomination certificate: If your application qualifies, the province or territory will give you a provincial nomination to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
• Submit your PR application: The next step is to apply to the Canadian federal government for your PR visa. For Express Entry linked PNPS, you can submit your application online but for others, you will have to go for a paper-based application.

Application process

1. Find out your eligibility: Use the PNP Live Tracker to track available PNPs and determine your eligibility for the many options available.

2. Complete a Provincial Nominee Program application: Submit your application to the province or territory.

3. Submit your Provincial Nomination Certificate: If your application is complete and you are eligible, you will receive an official Provincial nomination Certificate which will allow you to go on to the next level.

It’s a two-step process to apply for Canadian permanent residence through a PNP program.

You must apply to the province first. After it is approved, you must then submit your application to the federal government. Canadian PR can only be given to you by the federal government.

The processing time varies between provinces, but it usually takes a few months for the processing of the application.

Submit your application for permanent residence: Apply to the federal government for permanent resident status in Canada. If you have been nominated via an Express Entry PNP, you can apply through the Express Entry stream.

Processing time for PNP programs

Processing times for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs depend primarily on whether or not the application was submitted under an Express Entry-linked PNP stream, or one of the other non-Express Entry streams.

Applicants should expect a waiting period for the initial application to the province, plus an additional processing time for the federal government ‘s final application for permanent residence.

Many provinces brought down their processing times to a couple of months or even weeks. For applications that are connected to Express Entry, the federal processing period remains six months for most applications. Non-Express Related Applications, also known as paper-based applications, typically take 1-2 years to process.

Canada’s newly-permanent Atlantic Immigration Program will open on March 6

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), which was recently announced by Ottawa, will begin accepting applications this Sunday from skilled foreign employees and international graduates seeking permanent residence in one of the four Atlantic Canadian provinces.

The Atlantic Immigration Program will open on March 6 for qualified foreign employees and international graduates with endorsements who want to reside in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island.

Late last year, the Atlantic Canadian provinces on the country’s eastern coastlines received a permanent immigration stream.

It builds on the success of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, which brought a rising number of foreign residents to the provinces.

According to Canada’s immigration minister, “Over the past few years, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot has made an incredible difference in communities across our region.”

“It has brought us the resource we need most: more people. They’re skilled, they’re young and they’re staying. Now, we’re doubling down on what works by making it permanent, so we can continue attracting the best and brightest to our region and build a vibrant, prosperous future for Atlantic Canada,’’ he added.

The permanent program keeps the three elements that made the pilot so successful: a focus on employers, improved settlement assistance, and a collaborative approach across all Atlantic provinces.

The new AIP includes changes such as a definition of partners’ roles, increased employer support through training, and strengthened program standards to guarantee newcomers may effectively establish themselves in the region.

There are three programs under the AIP:

• The Atlantic High-skilled Program
• The Atlantic Intermediate-skilled Program
• The Atlantic International Graduate Program

Individuals interested in doing business in Canada can apply for a PR visa through the Canada Business Immigration Program. This program was designed to encourage migrants who can invest or establish a business in Canada. They must be high net worth individuals or must have either business or managerial experience to establish and run a business in Canada. The Canadian government has specified three categories of people for this type of visa.

• Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Self Employed Persons

Family Class Immigration:

Spousal sponsorship program

If you have moved to Canada and wish to bring your spouse to the country, you can apply for a spousal sponsorship for this purpose.

You can sponsor your spouse, common law partner or conjugal partner under this sponsorship program.

 Eligibility requirements for spousal sponsorship program:

You can sponsor your spouse or partner if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and are at least 18 years old.

You must be living in Canada or plan to return to the country once your spouse or partner gets permanent residence.

You must be able to meet the basic financial needs of your spouse or partner for three years once they enter the country.

Proof of relationship

If you are looking to sponsor your spouse, you must provide the following documents as proof of your relationship:

• Marriage certificate from the government
• Completed relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation questionnaire
• Invitations and photos of your marriage
• Birth certificates or adoption records of your children with your spouse or partner
• Proof of registration of marriage
• Proof that you and your spouse are joint owners of property
• Proof of shared bank accounts

Categories you can apply under for spousal sponsorship

When your spouse is outside Canada you should apply under the Family Class (outland) category. But you cannot live with your spouse till your sponsorship application is approved. But your spouse can come to the country on a temporary visa while the sponsorship application is being sponsored.

You can sponsor your spouse or partner even if they are living in Canada, provided you are holding a valid immigration status or have applied for an open work permit to work in Canada while the application is being processed. But as an applicant you should avoid travel outside Canada while your application is being processed.

 Processing time for spousal sponsorship applications

The average processing time for spousal sponsorship programs is around 12 months.

However, this depends on factors such as submission of the complete documents, proof of relationship documents and the number of applications with the immigration department.

Individuals who are permanent residents or citizens of Canada can sponsor their family members for PR status if they are 18 years or older. They are eligible to sponsor the following categories of family members:

• Spouse
• Conjugal partner
• Common-law partner
• Dependent or adopted children
• Parents
• Grandparents

Eligibility requirements for a sponsor:

Apart from being above 18 years and being a PR visa holder or Canadian citizen, a sponsor must:

• Provide proof that he/she has the financial support to support family members or dependents
• With the government’s approval, he/she must agree to support the family members being sponsored for a certain amount of time
• Must be residing in Canada or have the intention to live in the country during the arrival of the sponsored relative
• Must not be bankrupt
• Must not be charged with any criminal offense
• Must not be under a removal order if he/she is a Permanent Resident

When a relative arrives in Canada, the sponsor assumes all financial responsibility

In order to be a sponsor, the permanent resident or citizen must:

• Sign a sponsorship agreement with the relative in which he promises to provide him with financial assistance, if necessary.
• Provide financial assistance to a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner for a period of three years from the date of permanent residence of the spouse.
• Provide a dependent child with financial assistance for 10 years, or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first.

The Canada Dependent Visa enables you to bring your dependents to Canada and allows them to work or study full-time if they have the required permits. You can sponsor the following relatives for a dependent visa under the Canada Dependent Visa:

• Spouse or common-law partner or conjugal partner
• Dependent children under the age of 21
• Dependent parents or grandparents
• Child adopted outside Canada while you held a Canadian citizenship or PR
• Brother, sister, niece, nephew, uncle, aunt or other close relatives
• The relations you sponsor can live with you in Canada.
• Your spouse or conjugal partner can also apply for a Work Permit in order to work in Canada

Eligibility requirements to sponsor a dependent

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
• You should not be seeking government assistance except for a disability.
• You must meet the low-income threshold
• You must be legally married to your spouse
• You must have a genuine relationship with your dependents

Eligibility requirements to sponsor a spouse

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must live in Canada or expect to return once your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident
• You must be able and willing to meet your spouse’s or partner’s basic financial needs for the next three years
• Your partner must be a member of the family class, otherwise you will not be able to sponsor them. You must be a citizen, permanent resident, or have a work permit to sponsor your spouse.
• You must have a genuine relationship with your spouse which was not entered into just for the permanent resident status. The duration of your relationship must be at least a year old.

Child visa to bring dependent children to Canada

Sponsors may bring their children to Canada on a dependent visa:

• When a child is adopted outside of Canada when the sponsor is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• The applicant intends to adopt a child in Canada.
• If the sponsor’s brother or sister, nephew or niece, grandson or granddaughter is an orphan and meets the eligibility requirements, they will be considered for sponsorship.

Eligibility conditions to sponsor a child

• The child must be under the age of 22 and have no spouse, common-law wife, or conjugal partner.
• The sponsor’s dependent child must be his biological or adopted child.
• The child must demonstrate that he is financially dependent on the sponsor/parent.
• There is no age limit for dependent children who are unable to support themselves due to a physical or mental illness.
• The sponsor must provide evidence of his relationship with the children who are financially dependent on him.
• Dependent children must undergo a medical test to have evidence that they are not involved in any criminal cases.
• The medical examination must be done by a physician appointed by the Canadian government.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class or CEC program is aimed to help foreign workers or students who are staying on a temporary basis in Canada to become permanent residents. It considers their work experience or education and their contribution to Canadian society for granting PR status.

You can qualify for this visa if you have studied or worked in Canada and meet the minimum requirements. The other important eligibility requirements are:

• 12 months of work experience- either full-time or part-time in the past three years
• Work experience must have proper authorization
• Applicant must have plans to live in a province outside Quebec
• Meet the language proficiency requirements

Eligibility conditions

Applicants for the CEC program must have gained at least one year of skilled, professional, or technical employment experience in Canada within 36 months of the application date.

For NOC B occupations, they must achieve or exceed a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 (“beginning intermediate”), or CLB 7 (“sufficient intermediate proficiency”) for NOC skill levels 0 and A jobs.

Applicants must plan to live and work outside of Quebec’s borders.

Individuals having job experience in Quebec and plans to live in Quebec are eligible to apply for the Quebec Experience Class.

In Canada, one year of work experience (or 12 months) is defined as at least 1,560 hours of skilled employment. Full-time and/or part-time work can be used to complete the 1,560 hours.

Applicants are allowed to stay in Canada for the duration of the application procedure. Individuals who are no longer in Canada can apply for the Canadian Experience Class as long as they submit their application within three years after leaving their position in Canada.

The candidate is qualified to enter the Express Entry pool if the minimum conditions are met.

The candidate is not required to submit proof of funds if he is able to successfully obtain an immigration invitation under the CEC.

Canadian work experience for PR visa

The reason Canadian experience in federal and provincial immigration programs has become so relevant is that Canadian government research indicates that such experience is a good predictor that an immigration candidate can easily integrate into the Canadian labor market and perform well in the long term.

For a variety of reasons Canadian work experience is the key. It helps migrant applicants develop their language skills, which is a major component of the Comprehensive Ranking System. Additionally, applicants who obtain Canadian work experience or education can show Canadian employers that they have the expertise and knowledge that employers are searching for.

Even though Canadian work experience may not be superior to the work experience or education gained outside Canada, employers in Canada would prefer to hire someone with local experience.

Intra company transfer

Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) is for employees who work for a company with a qualifying relationship with a Canadian firm, such as a subsidiary, affiliate, parent, or branch. Employers in Canada do not need an LMIA to hire employees through this scheme.

The foreign worker must have worked for the company for a minimum of one year. He must have either worked in a managerial role or show that they have advanced and proprietary knowledge of the business or its products.

Gaining a work permit in Canada will help the individual gain work experience in Canada which will work to their advantage when they apply for permanent residence.

Another advantage of this work permit is that the applicants for this work permit need not apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (“LMIA”) before making their application. This is good because getting the LMIA can be a difficult process and the opportunity to do away with this step is good news for employers and the Intra company transfer applicants.

Spousal Open Work Permit for Intra Company transferee work permit holders

For Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit holders who wish to bring their families to Canada, they can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit and if they have dependent children (age 21 and under), they can either apply for Visitor Records or Study Permits based on their age so that they can accompany their family member to Canada.

With the spousal work permit, the spouse or partner is eligible to work for any employer during the validity period of the work permit.

The Intra-Company Transferee Work Permits will be valid for a maximum period of 3 years, and can be extended up to seven years. with the possibility of extending the Work Permit in 2-year increments, up to a maximum of 7 years.

Way to permanent residency

The Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit holder can come to Canada on a temporary basis and then apply for a PR visa under any of the various pathways and improve their chances based on their Canadian work experience.

Since the intra-company transfer allows one to stay in Canada for a maximum of 3 years, it is possible to apply for a PR visa after 12 months in Canada as a temporary worker.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program or FSTP is one of the three programs in the Express Entry System which helps international skilled workers to secure a job and permanent residence in Canada.

Skilled workers in various occupations can submit their profiles to the FSTP and incur a chance to get an invitation to apply or ITA for a visa. The selection is based on a lottery system, but the chances of selection are high because Canada has a labor shortage in different occupations.

The government of Canada releases a list of skilled trades that are facing a shortage of labor on a regular basis. Based on this list international workers and those on a temporary work permit can apply in the FSTP to see if they have a chance to be selected.

The list of skilled trades is based on Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) list. If you get your permanent resident visa through the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you will be eligible to live and work in Canada and can become a Canadian citizen after a few years.

Eligibility requirements

• Must have an employment offer from two employers in Canada who have agreed to an employment term of at least one year or you must have a Certificate of Qualification from a provincial or territorial body
• Must have work experience in a skilled trade for at least two years in a full-time or part-time job
• Must meet or exceed the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) ranking or required language levels in English or French needed for the job by taking the relevant tests
• Applicant must demonstrate his ability to meet the job requirements of the skilled trade as per NOC requirements

Documents required

• Current passport and travel history
• Proof of language proficiency
• Police clearance certificate
• Other supporting documents

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada publishes a list of eligible trades under the National Occupational Classification (NOC):

1. Major groups:

• § 72 – industrial, electrical and construction trades,
• § 73 – maintenance and equipment operation trades
• § 82 – supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
• § 92 – processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators

2. Minor groups:

• § 632 – chefs and cooks
• § 633 – butchers and bakers

Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

Quebec has its own Provincial Nominee Program known as the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). This is an immigration program that provides a fast and convenient way to migrate to Canada.

This immigration program started with the goal of attracting more immigrants to come and settle in Quebec without the necessity of going through a lengthy immigration process.

Through this program, skilled workers can apply for the Quebec Selection Certificate or Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). It is not necessary for applicants to have a valid job offer in order to migrate to Quebec. However, those with a job offer are given higher priority.

The QSWP is also based on a points-based system like the Express Entry System.

The application process involves just two steps:

Step 1: Send in the completed application form along with the documents required. The Immigration authorities will then verify your documents.

Step 2: You will be issued a CSQ by the immigration authorities which allows you to migrate to and remain in Quebec for 3 months. You can apply for a PR Visa after this period.

What are the documents required for the PR application process?

• Valid passport
• Proof of age
• Identity proof
• Certificates to support your educational qualifications
• IELTS scorecard with the valid score
• Certificates to prove medical fitness
• Police clearance certificate

Arrima portal

In order to simplify the application process for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) and provide a level playing field for all foreign nationals, Quebec’s immigration system introduced Arrima. This is a portal designed to manage Quebec’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system that has replaced its previous first-come first served intake model.

Anyone who is interested in migrating to Quebec under the QSW program can use the Arrima portal. They can file their EOI through the portal. If you meet the needs of the province’s labor market, you will be issued an Invitation to Apply or ITA. Your application will then be evaluated based on criteria described in the selection grid.

QUEBEC ADDED 65 MORE OCCUPATIONS TO EMPOWER THE LMIA PROCESS TO AID EMPLOYERS IN HIRING TEMPORARY WORKERS 

To allow employers in the Quebec province of Canada to hire temporary migrant workers easily for available positions, the list of jobs to qualify for the facilitated Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process has been enlarged to 287. The list, which had 222 occupations until late February 2022, has grown by 65 occupations.  

In the update of May 24, Skill Level C jobs were added. Professions included in the listing of qualified occupations under National Occupational Classification (NOC) are considered most sought after and industry verticals with workforce shortages.

This list of occupations is updated yearly by the the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), immigration ministry of Quebec.

Prominent in the newly-revised list includes several occupations for clerks, drivers, and machine operators in the industry. 

Though organizations recruiting temporary foreigners to meet these positions need not demonstrate their hiring efforts, they continue to be urged by Quebec to leave no stone unturned to employ native Canadians.

Primarily essential for these LMIA applications are also generally a changeover plan. As per the facilitated process in Quebec, the transition plan is unnecessary for an occupation’s first application in a particular location. It is, however, needed from the second request onwards for the said occupation and location.

Salaries offered to temporary migrant workers must be equivalent to those that citizens and permanent residents of Canada earn.

In cases of jobs that collective agreements cover, it is mandated that the employer pays the rate determined in the contract in addition to any benefits that natives of Canada are entitled to.

Employers of Quebec wishing to hire a temporary foreign worker at a wage lower than the average hourly need to abide by the prerequisites for the stream for high-paying jobs.

Like the Express Entry System, applicants are awarded points if they fulfil the various criteria under the selection grid, this includes:

• Level of education or professional training
• Age
• Work experience
• Your proficiency in French and English
• Your previous visits and short-term stays in Quebec
• Number of children under the age of 22 who will be accompanying you to Quebec
• Your financial assets and ability to support yourself and your family for the first three months after your arrival
• Your relationship with Canadian citizens or permanent residents existing in Quebec
• If you have a spouse coming with you to Quebec, then they will be evaluated based on factors such as age, education, and language proficiency which can add to your score
• Validated job offer or an offer of employment form a Quebec employer

The points you score in the selection grid will indicate your eligibility for immigration to Quebec. If you score the required points and meet the needs of the province’s labor market, you will be issued an Invitation to Apply or ITA through the Arrima portal. The priority order for sending the ITAs are:

• Immigration candidates who applied for a Quebec Selection Certificate before August 2, 2018
• Individuals with a validated job offer from a Quebec employer

You will then have to submit your application for the Quebec selection certificate within 60 days of receiving the ITA. Once you receive your certificate you can apply for your PR visa.

Anyone can submit an EOI to migrate to Quebec through the portal to try their chance.

However, you will greatly improve your chances of getting an ITA if you have a validated job offer. If you have a job offer from a Quebec employer, you will have a significant addition to the number of points in your application. The job offer must be validated by the Quebec Ministered ’immigration, francisationet integration (MIFI).

The introduction of the Arrima portal has no doubt simplified the application process for the QSW program of the Quebec province. But on the flipside, it has increased the number of applications. This makes it even more important for you to try and score more points to get your ITA and successfully migrate to Canada.

Self-Employed Persons Program

The Canadian Self-Employed Persons Program (SEPP) is specifically designed for applicants who intend and have the ability to become self-employed in Canada. There is a separate self-employed program for Quebec.

Required qualifications for SEPP: Candidates must have the experience and ability to:

• Make a major contribution as artisans or as athletes at an international level to the cultural or sporting life in Canada
• Buy a farm in Canada and handle it

Relevant Experience is defined as:

• At least two years of participation in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level
• At least two years of experience of self-employment in cultural activities of athletics
• At least two years of experience in farm management

Selection factors
Once applicants have been classified as meeting the concept of ‘self-employed individuals,’ they will then be evaluated on the basis of the selection criteria set out in the table below. If they want to immigrate to Canada as a self-employed citizen, applicants must receive a minimum of 35 points out of 100 potential points.

Other requirements

The applicant and the applicant’s immediate family members must, like most other Canadian immigration systems, undergo medical evaluations and safety tests, as well as be able to show that they will have adequate settlement funds to support themselves and their families once they arrive in Canada.

Qualifying for an ITA under the SEPP

When you apply for the program, you’ll need to meet the criteria mentioned above in order to receive points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). These points are then added to create a score for your online profile which will be created on your application. This cumulative score competes against other scores till there is a draw from the pool of applicants. These applicants will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada. It’s important to remember that your score can change if you get new recommendations, talents, or skills.

Quebec self-employed program

The Quebec self-employed program is designed for applicants who wish to immigrate to Quebec by generating their own employment in Quebec.

In order to qualify for the program, the applicant must have:

• Two years of experience in the occupation they wish to pursue which can include but need not be limited to athletics, cultural activities, or farm management.
• Should have a minimum net worth of 10,000 dollars of legally acquired funds of which the spouse’s funds can also be included
• Should have the intention and ability to create their own employment by pursuing an occupation where they have experience.

Under the Self-Employed Persons Program, eligible occupations within Canada’s artistic, cultural and athletic fields include: