Freelance while waiting for PR process

[AgustinCB]

Hi!

I'm in Canada with a Working Holiday Visa. It expires in August. About that time, I'll also make one year living with my girlfriend and we will start the process of sponsorship.

As far as I know, I can get an open work permit while my PR is processed. However, the time frames aren't promising: About 6-8 months to receiving. I don't feel comfortable being for so long without working. In the past, I have worked as freelancer over the Internet. Would I be able to do the same in that time frame? Can that affect my application?

Thanks,
Agustin

 

[scylla]

You can work freelance provided none of your customers/clients are in Canada or are Canadian companies. In other words, the work you are doing cannot be for anyone in Canada.

 

[LuxRitchie]

Great question. I have a similar situation.
I am US Citizen living in the US and am the sole-proprietor of a small consulting business. I currently have 2 clients in Canada.
My husband is a Canadian citizen husband is sponsoring me for PR in Canada. We are moving to Canada next week (before the PR is approved).
Do I need to stop working with my Canadian Clients, until the P

 

[scylla]

Great question. I have a similar situation.
I am US Citizen living in the US and am the sole-proprietor of a small consulting business. I currently have 2 clients in Canada.
My husband is a Canadian citizen husband is sponsoring me for PR in Canada. We are moving to Canada next week (before the PR is approved).
Do I need to stop working with my Canadian Clients, until the P

Yes, you have to stop all work for these 2 clients until you have PR.

 

[LuxRitchie]

Thank you. That makes me sad

 

[scylla]

Thank you. That makes me sad

How long ago did you submit the sponsorship application? What stage are you in right now? Hopefully you don't have too long a wait.

 

[LuxRitchie]

We just received a notice that we need to submit more information.

Out of curiosity… What are the penalties of I don't stop working with my Canadian clients? Fines? Permeant residency declined? Prison? …

 

[PMM]

Hi

We just received a notice that we need to submit more information.

Out of curiosity… What are the penalties of I don't stop working with my Canadian clients? Fines? Permeant residency declined? Prison? …

1. Reported and possible removal from Canada.

 

[scylla]

We just received a notice that we need to submit more information.

Out of curiosity… What are the penalties of I don't stop working with my Canadian clients? Fines? Permeant residency declined? Prison? …

As PMM said above, the risk is being reported and potentially removed from Canada. You could also end up with a 1 year exclusion order (i.e. 1 year ban from Canada).

 

[LuxRitchie]

Thanks. That is good information . Don't worry, I plan to follow the rules. It is a good thing I looked into it.