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Self Employed Photographer

snowjunkie

Full Member
Jun 27, 2011
37
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Category........
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Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
Dec, 2010
AOR Received.
April 25, 2011
Med's Request
Oct 4, 2011
Med's Done....
Oct 12, 2011
Passport Req..
Apr 13, 2012
Hey All

I did a very silly thing and let my PR go - previously had PNP for high skilled IT and never met my RO. Very sad day.. however I am now self employed and have been for years, and would eventually like to return to Canada.

I'm from New Zealand; does this affect processing time?

Having had PR before - will this affect my application? As long as I renounce it will there be any complication whatsoever?

Is it true for Self Employed stream that I need to prove CAD100k net worth?

Last time I used a lawyer - it cost me 2500. Can I do the application myself? I still have my IMM008 forms I can probably copy.. I assume I just need to gather a ton of evidence of my business?


I would like to apply asap so in 4-5 years I can return with more experience etc. The plan is to live in Canada and commute to USA when needed only.


Thank you!
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,538
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Toronto
Category........
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Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
You can apply without a lawyer - however you have to be ready to research the application process yourself. Having had PR in the past won't impact the processing time either positively or negatively.

No - for self employment stream you do not need to show you have 100K.

Yes - you'll need evidence of your business include incorporation papers, income tax returns, etc.
 

snowjunkie

Full Member
Jun 27, 2011
37
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
Dec, 2010
AOR Received.
April 25, 2011
Med's Request
Oct 4, 2011
Med's Done....
Oct 12, 2011
Passport Req..
Apr 13, 2012
You can apply without a lawyer - however you have to be ready to research the application process yourself. Having had PR in the past won't impact the processing time either positively or negatively.

No - for self employment stream you do not need to show you have 100K.

Yes - you'll need evidence of your business include incorporation papers, income tax returns, etc.
Thank you - very helpful.

I'm a sole proprietor in the US. Is there a level of income they consider good/bad? Would it be beneficial to me to incorporate to appear more "legitimate"?

I can prove I employed people - however as many self employed do - we write off a lot - therefore the final income looks fairly low.
 

scylla

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Jun 8, 2010
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AOR Received.
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01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
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LANDED..........
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I'm not sure there's a specific level. However you'd want to be making enough money through this business that it is your sole source of income.

You'll also want to demonstrate how the photography is a cultural activity.
 

snowjunkie

Full Member
Jun 27, 2011
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Dec, 2010
AOR Received.
April 25, 2011
Med's Request
Oct 4, 2011
Med's Done....
Oct 12, 2011
Passport Req..
Apr 13, 2012
Thank you so much Scylla.

It is my only income source here, and was for 2 years in Canada before I left to the US. (Regret leaving already!) I'm hoping to include that into the application.

As for cultural... I'm a commerical photographer. I will have to look into this. I'm guessing plans to have some gallery show in Canada wont suffice, maybe I can try to exhibit some works I've shot in Canada.

Does anyone have specific lawyers who are experienced in helping SE applicants?

I'd prefer to do myself but don't want to make a mistake and have it all sent back!
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,538
20,358
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
You need to meet the cultural activities requirement to succeed under self employed. So I would put a priority on sorting that out. Not sure if simply exhibiting your work will accomplish that if you're a commercial photographer.
 

PMM

VIP Member
Jun 30, 2005
25,494
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Hi

You need to meet the cultural activities requirement to succeed under self employed. So I would put a priority on sorting that out. Not sure if simply exhibiting your work will accomplish that if you're a commercial photographer.

PS, the OP should know that the processing time for self employed, if successful, is 62 Months, so see if s/he qualifies under another program.
 

BaNana82

Star Member
Jun 29, 2017
86
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Nairobi
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Nairobi
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14-10-2016
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23-03-2017
IELTS Request
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06-06-2017
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24-06-2017
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Waived
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01-11-2017
Hi




PS, the OP should know that the processing time for self employed, if successful, is 62 Months, so see if s/he qualifies under another program.
That's what the CIC website says but right here on this forum there are people who have had their applications processed in as little as 9 months. Could be a case of old information? I don't know. But yes I agree with you that if OP can qualify for another program he/she should try that first