What types of businesses or professions does Canada accept in the self-employed category?
Canada benefits economically or culturally from many kinds of ventures. That is why the system is flexible. We often receive inquiries from persons whose occupations are not currently on the General Occupations List (see our Guide for Independent Class) for independent immigrants, wanting to know if they could qualify by applying in the self-employed category. Some of the more frequent examples are lawyers, doctors, nurses, and dentists. However, in most cases, occupations are not on the list because Canada has an oversupply of these individuals. It would be extremely difficult for applicants in these professions to demonstrate that they would significantly contribute to the economy.
