Self-Employment in Canada – Foreign Work Experience or Canadian

[Dinesh Kumar Raj Kumar]

Hi everyone,
I’m seeking guidance on whether my self-employment experience gives score for foreign work experience or canadian work experience for Express Entry.
Here’s my situation:

• I have 2 years of software development experience in my home country.
• After moving to Canada, I worked part-time during my studies as a self-employed contractor(software development) for a U.S.-based employer with no Canadian offices.
• Upon completing my studies, I began working full-time as a self-employed contractor(software development) for the same company.
• For the first 7 months in Open work permit, I was paid directly as an independent contractor.
• Then I incorporated a business in Ontario, and for the upcoming months, I received payments through my corporation.
• All work was performed remotely.
• I completed 1 full year of full-time self-employment (30–40 hours/week) under NOC 21231(Software Engineer).
• After completing this, I secured a full-time Canadian job in the same field and have completed 1 year of work experience here.
• Combining all this, I will have about 3 years of foreign skilled work experience and 1 year of Candian work experience, which I believe will increase my CRS points significantly.

I have documentation including:

• Contracts, invoices, and payment proofs
• CRA tax filings (T2125 and T2 returns)
• Ontario incorporation documents
• Client reference letters confirming duties, duration, and hours
• Employer reference letter for my Canadian job

I’ve read that self-employment can be claimed for Foreign Work Experience if well documented, but I have also seen conflicting advice.
Could anyone please advise on:

• Whether this combined experience (home country + part-time during studies + full-time self-employment with a US employer having no Canadian presence) be used to claim point for foreign work experience?
• What kind of documentation others have used successfully to prove self-employment?
• Any tips to avoid red flags and strengthen my application?

Thanks in advance for your help!