Canada Freelancer Visa: How to Move & Work in Canada as a Freelancer

The Federal Skilled Worker Program uses a 100-point selection grid to assess whether applicants meet its selection requirements. Applicants are assessed under factors including education, work experience, language ability, age, arranged employment and adaptability.

Each person who wishes to immigrate to Canada is awarded a score out of a possible 100 points. Candidates must score at least 67 points in order to qualify for most Canadian visas. Factors such as the ones listed below will be taken into account:

• Education accounts for a maximum of 25 points
• Experience accounts for a maximum of 35 points
• Age accounts for a maximum of 10 points
• Affluency in English and/or French accounts for a maximum of 24 points
• Adaptability to the country accounts for a maximum of 6 points

Education, work experience, language ability, age, arranged employment and adaptability all contribute to the Federal Skilled Worker selection score. Applicants receive more age points between 18 and 35, with fewer points awarded as age increases under the Federal Skilled Worker selection grid.

Below are the points in reference to age:

• Age 18-35 accounts for 12 points
• Age 36 accounts for 11 points
• Age 37 accounts for 10 points
• Age 38 accounts for 9 points
• Age 39 accounts for 8 points
• Age 40 accounts for 7 points
• Age 41 accounts for 6 points
• Age 42 accounts for 5 points
• Age 43 accounts for 4 points
• Age 44 accounts for 3 points
• Age 45 accounts for 2 points
• Age 46 accounts for 1 point
• Age 47 and above accounts for 0 points under the Federal Skilled Worker selection grid.

Your Federal Skilled Worker score depends on your education, qualifying work experience, language ability, age, arranged employment and adaptability factors. Adaptability points can be earned by completing apprenticeships or university degrees. If you are unsure about any of these factors, an immigration lawyer will be able to assist you and explain in further detail.

To prove your abilities in each of the assessed areas, you will have to submit official evidence such as diplomas, employer references, or language test results.

The Federal Self-Employed Persons Program is a permanent residence program for people with qualifying experience in cultural activities or athletics who can become self-employed in Canada; new applications are currently paused.

Applicants must have at least two qualifying one-year periods of experience in cultural activities or athletics during the relevant five-year period, including qualifying self-employment or world-class participation.

The federal Self-Employed Persons Program has no regulated minimum net-worth requirement, but applicants must show they can settle in Canada and finance the work on which their selection is based. Despite this, applicants will need to prove they can support themselves and any dependents financially during their stay.

The following selection criteria apply to this program:

• Work Experience – At least 2 qualifying one-year periods of experience in the relevant five-year period.
• Education – Education contributes up to 25 points under the program’s selection criteria; there is no requirement for a post-secondary qualification specifically in your field.
• Age – Applicants aged 21-49 receive the maximum 10 points under the program’s selection grid.
• Language Skills – Points are awarded for proficiency in English and/or French, based on approved language testing.
• Adaptability – Applicants can receive points for specified adaptability factors, with a maximum of 6 points.

Some provincial or territorial immigration streams may suit entrepreneurs or self-employed applicants, but eligibility varies by province or territory and stream.

It is worth knowing that the option is available, in case you wish to immigrate to the respective province offering the PNP.

Provincial nomination is typically processed through the Express Entry system. However, not all provinces manage their PNP through Express Entry (Quebec, for example).

The fastest way to get a nomination is by looking to see what professionals your preferred province is ideally looking to sponsor. Applicants can apply for a nomination as long as they meet the specified requirements.

If you are in the express entry pool, a nomination will boost your score by 600, ensuring you get permanent residency in many cases.

Applicants must ensure their visa application has been thoroughly checked for discrepancies, mistakes and legibility before being sent off, as well as having the correct documents. These include:

• A valid passport (applicants are unable to immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport)
• Correct travel documents
• A valid permanent resident visa
• A Confirmation of Permanent Residence document
• Sufficient funding to support yourself and any dependants travelling with you

Applicants must be aware that if an application is not correct, contains false or fraudulent information, or has missing documents, the application will run the risk of being denied. Other consequences may be a bar on applying for permanent resident status for up to five years without the chance for appeal.

Avoid delays in processing time by telling us about any changes to your personal information, and thoroughly checking applications before sending. Enlisting the help of an immigration lawyer to double check your application is highly advised.

Changes in personal situation are:

• Changes in address
• Changes in contact information (email, mobile, etc.)
• Changes to your job or job offer
• A new educational credential you have achieved
• Marriages or divorces that may restrict your plans
• Births or deaths in your family that may restrict your plans
• Adoptions that may restrict your plans
• Updated language test results

Your application processing will be delayed if:

• There are criminal or security problems found within your application
• Application fees have not been paid or received
• Family situations that include divorce, marriage, or child custody statuses that aren’t clear
• Background checks need to be conducted still
• The visa office has to verify the information you provided