Can remote foreign work experience (paid monthly, under contract) count for PR?

[sureshsingh065]

Hi everyone,


I’m helping a friend who's currently on a valid Canadian work permit and working full-time here. They're also exploring ways to strengthen their Express Entry profile.


A family-run marketing company in Dubai (legit setup, with a registered firm) is offering them a remote position as a Marketing Coordinator (NOC 11202) — 15 to 20 hours/week, paid monthly, with a signed contract and job description. The pay will be shown as direct deposit to their Canadian bank account, and they’ll have a reference letter and proof of work history.


They’ll not be physically present in Dubai and won’t be issued a Dubai visa or job card — just doing real work remotely from Canada. The work is not “freelance,” it would be contract-based with a fixed schedule and deliverables.


The question is:
Can this be considered as valid “foreign work experience” for PR under Express Entry (CEC or FSW)?
Would CRA expect them to report this income for Canadian taxation?
Do they need to be physically present in Dubai or hold a Dubai visa for this to qualify?


Would appreciate any insights or experience from others who did something similar.


Thanks in advance!

 

[scylla]

Hi everyone,


I’m helping a friend who's currently on a valid Canadian work permit and working full-time here. They're also exploring ways to strengthen their Express Entry profile.


A family-run marketing company in Dubai (legit setup, with a registered firm) is offering them a remote position as a Marketing Coordinator (NOC 11202) — 15 to 20 hours/week, paid monthly, with a signed contract and job description. The pay will be shown as direct deposit to their Canadian bank account, and they’ll have a reference letter and proof of work history.


They’ll not be physically present in Dubai and won’t be issued a Dubai visa or job card — just doing real work remotely from Canada. The work is not “freelance,” it would be contract-based with a fixed schedule and deliverables.


The question is:
Can this be considered as valid “foreign work experience” for PR under Express Entry (CEC or FSW)?
Would CRA expect them to report this income for Canadian taxation?
Do they need to be physically present in Dubai or hold a Dubai visa for this to qualify?


Would appreciate any insights or experience from others who did something similar.


Thanks in advance!

He can't double count work experience for the same period. He can take this job. But he can only claim points for either the Canadian job or the foreign job. He can't claim points for both.

Yes, they will need to declare this income in their CRA return and will be taxed on that income.

 

[canuck78]

Hi everyone,


I’m helping a friend who's currently on a valid Canadian work permit and working full-time here. They're also exploring ways to strengthen their Express Entry profile.


A family-run marketing company in Dubai (legit setup, with a registered firm) is offering them a remote position as a Marketing Coordinator (NOC 11202) — 15 to 20 hours/week, paid monthly, with a signed contract and job description. The pay will be shown as direct deposit to their Canadian bank account, and they’ll have a reference letter and proof of work history.


They’ll not be physically present in Dubai and won’t be issued a Dubai visa or job card — just doing real work remotely from Canada. The work is not “freelance,” it would be contract-based with a fixed schedule and deliverables.


The question is:
Can this be considered as valid “foreign work experience” for PR under Express Entry (CEC or FSW)?
Would CRA expect them to report this income for Canadian taxation?
Do they need to be physically present in Dubai or hold a Dubai visa for this to qualify?


Would appreciate any insights or experience from others who did something similar.


Thanks in advance!

What you are describing is actually a freelance job. They are being paid directly into their Canadian bank account. Doesn't sound like they can work legally in Dubai. They will have to file taxes on this job as self-employed in Canada.