The Self-employed class is reserved for world-class athletes, well-known artists and those with specialized farm management skills.

Musicians (Taken from Landed: Six New Lives in Canada)

REQUIREMENTS:

The self-employed are part of the class of independent immigrants which includes skilled workers, entrepreneurs and investors.

Self-employed immigrants are people who:

• have the intention, relevant experience and ability to be self-employed in Canada and to make a significant contribution to cultural activities, athletics or the purchase and management of a farm in the country.

"Relevant experience" means at least two years of one of the following types of experience, during the five years before the date of application for a permanent resident visa:

• self-employment in cultural activities or athletics,

• participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics, or

• farm management experience.

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There were 704 immigrants under the self-employed category in 2001.

20 per cent of recent immigrants are children.

One in eight immigrants reports having dual citizenship.

SOURCES: 1996 Census Facts and Figures 2001: Immigration Overview

Business applicants (entrepreneurs, investors and self-employed) intending to settle in Quebec should apply through the province's immigration offices abroad, as listed on the CIC's Web page.