Subject: Can 3 years of Freelance/Cash Electrician experience be accepted for Express Entry?

[kyrillos12]

Hi guys,

I need quick advice. My official Passport states my profession as Electrician. I have 3 years of freelance experience (2023-present) working on sites with engineers and companies, but all my payments were in Cash (No bank statements or social insurance).

My questions:

1. Does IRCC accept 3 years of freelance/cash experience for Express Entry points? Is it feasible or not?
2. What exact documents should I submit to prove these 3 years and get my work experience points?

Thanks!

 

[Naturgrl]

If you experience letters, contracts, receipts, payslips, taxes paid, bank statements showing full time work for 3 years then it is possible. Without bank statements or social insurance then very difficult to prove you actually did the job.

 

[kyrillos12]

If you experience letters, contracts, receipts, payslips, taxes paid, bank statements showing full time work for 3 years then it is possible. Without bank statements or social insurance then very difficult to prove you actually did the job.

Thanks for your feedback!

Just to clarify, in Egypt, independent trade work (like electricians) operates strictly on a self-employed / sub-contractor basis. Tradesmen working independently do not have corporate payslips or social insurance, as we work for ourselves per project.

Since I cannot provide cash payment receipts, can I prove my 3 years of self-employed experience to IRCC using:

1. Official Reference Letters from Licensed/Consultant Engineers, explicitly including their National Syndicate Registration Nos., Tax IDs, and direct contact details for background checks.
2. My official Government Passport & ID stating my occupation as "Electrician".
3. Signed contracts/agreements with those licensed engineers for the site projects executed.
4. Site photos/portfolio proving the actual execution of electrical installations.

Has anyone successfully passed IRCC verification for self-employed skilled trades relying on verified Engineers' tax/syndicate credentials and government ID, without submitting payment stubs or stubs?

 

[Buletruck]

Thanks for your feedback!

Just to clarify, in Egypt, independent trade work (like electricians) operates strictly on a self-employed / sub-contractor basis. Tradesmen working independently do not have corporate payslips or social insurance, as we work for ourselves per project.

Since I cannot provide cash payment receipts, can I prove my 3 years of self-employed experience to IRCC using:

1. Official Reference Letters from Licensed/Consultant Engineers, explicitly including their National Syndicate Registration Nos., Tax IDs, and direct contact details for background checks.
2. My official Government Passport & ID stating my occupation as "Electrician".
3. Signed contracts/agreements with those licensed engineers for the site projects executed.
4. Site photos/portfolio proving the actual execution of electrical installations.

Has anyone successfully passed IRCC verification for self-employed skilled trades relying on verified Engineers' tax/syndicate credentials and government ID, without submitting payment stubs or stubs?

Do you have a trade certification or have you completed an apprenticeship?

 

[kyrillos12]

Do you have a trade certification or have you completed an apprenticeship?

Yes. I hold an official Government Trade Skill Certificate & Practice License issued by the Ministry of Labour (Certifying my skill level as a Skilled General Electrician).

 

[CanGoldDigger]

Yes, it's possible, but try to provide as much proof as possible.

IRCC doesn't care much if you paid taxes or worked unofficially considering foreign work experience, especially for countries where it's a common practice.