Being self-employed while on PGWP?

[nagalar]

Hello,

I am currently a self-employed web developer in my home country. I am planning to join a diploma program in Canada in the upcoming January related with my field. This program is recognized by CIC, which means that it will give ~2 years of work permit after graduating.

My question is: can I continue to work by myself in Canada in my work permit period? I make a decent amount of money which would comfortably pay for my living costs while on work permit. Do I have to get a job in Canada to have a right to stay there while on work permit?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[yyzstudent]

Yes, but it won'tcount towards canadian ecperience to get PR in the future, if that is what you want.

 

[scylla]

In addition to not qualifying as experience under CEC, it also tends to be much more difficult to prove this experience under other immigration streams. If you don't care about PR - then go ahead. If becoming a PR is a priority - change your plans and find a full time job in Canada once you complete your studies.

 

[nagalar]

Thank you so much for your helpful replies. My plan was to apply for Self-Employed Visa during the work permit period after graduating. I have a sole-person company in my home country, registered to my name. So the products I developed and the revenue they generated are pretty much all under log. Would that make proving the experience easier?

 

[scylla]

Thank you so much for your helpful replies. My plan was to apply for Self-Employed Visa during the work permit period after graduating. I have a sole-person company in my home country, registered to my name. So the products I developed and the revenue they generated are pretty much all under log. Would that make proving the experience easier?

So in other words, you haven't actually bothered to research the Self Employment immigration stream and have no idea what it takes to qualify.

Here's who qualifies under the Self Employment stream:

- Relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics, and intend and be able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada
- Experience in farm management, and intend and be able to buy and manage a farm in Canada

Maybe time to do some actual research? Just a thought...

 

[nagalar]

Sorry, I'm guessing I couldn't convey myself good enough. I did in fact, do research. My job covers two of those "cultural activities" mentioned, which vary by province. What I am looking for, is to get a diploma education which would contribute towards my self-employed applicant points, both by having a 2 year education in Canada and by adding to my self-employed experience years. I have had positive but mixed responses from the education agents and immigration agents I talked to. I've realized several of them gave false information after searching on the internet, so I can't take their word for granted. I wanted to get your unbiased view to consider my plans.

 

[scylla]

The self employment stream is a poor plan. This stream has extremely long processing times (it's not at all unusual to wait well over 4 years and the posted processing time on the CIC web site is currently 96 months), you don't qualify for a bridging open work permit while waiting (which means you would have to stop working and leave Canada once your PGWP expires) and it's difficult to be approved. I would change your plans.

 

[yyzstudent]

96 months is 8 years of processing.

 

[nagalar]

Oh, I didn't realize the processing time took that long. None of the agents told me about this either. That is ridiculous. I will make an inquiry regarding this. If it is consistently that long, I will indeed rethink my plans. Thanks so much for your helpful input.