Canada's federal Self-Employed Persons Program in 2026

The federal Self-Employed Persons Program is paused. IRCC stopped accepting new applications on 30 April 2024, and the pause remains in effect while existing inventory is processed.

It was not a generic freelancer visa. The legacy federal program focused on people with relevant world-class experience in cultural activities or athletics who could make a significant contribution in Canada.

Software consultants, ordinary freelancers, contractors and small-business owners should not be told this is an open route.

Foreign-employed remote workers should read the digital nomad visitor guide. A self-employed professional whose Canadian work would create significant benefit may need to examine the separate significant-benefit entrepreneur work permit; that is not a generic freelancer permit.

Québec is separate from the federal program. Québec currently publishes a Self-Employed Worker Program that accepts applications at any time under Québec's own selection rules. Applicants intending to settle in Québec should use Québec's official program rather than the paused federal Self-Employed Persons Program.

Skilled PR candidates should compare Express Entry, PNP and provincial entrepreneur programs.

Verified against IRCC on 18 September 2026.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Canada