Coming to Canada as a Self-Employed person

[Alex Ortscheit]

I'm a French-South African (with dual citizenship) self-employed in the film industry in South Africa wanting to move to Toronto.

When searching for a work permit application, it seems I am eligible to come to Canada as a self-employed person. The Canadian immigration website instructed me to create an account on the Permanent Residency Portal and apply for permanent residency. Permanent residency is definitely what I want, but I am concerned that I don’t meet the criteria yet. I have never been to Canada, I have no relatives there (my girlfriend is a Canadian citizen but we’re not married yet), I am self-employed with no job offers, and I have a low net worth. The only positives working for me are my French Nationality, French and English fluency, 5-years work experience, and my age.

I am wondering whether I should wait before applying for permanent residency, and come to Canada first with an eTA visa, and apply for permanent residency while there. However, it would not be able to sustain myself without a work permit. So I am searching for solutions that would be relatively quick and cost-effective.

 

[Naturgrl]

I'm a French-South African (with dual citizenship) self-employed in the film industry in South Africa wanting to move to Toronto.

When searching for a work permit application, it seems I am eligible to come to Canada as a self-employed person. The Canadian immigration website instructed me to create an account on the Permanent Residency Portal and apply for permanent residency. Permanent residency is definitely what I want, but I am concerned that I don’t meet the criteria yet. I have never been to Canada, I have no relatives there (my girlfriend is a Canadian citizen but we’re not married yet), I am self-employed with no job offers, and I have a low net worth. The only positives working for me are my French Nationality, French and English fluency, 5-years work experience, and my age.

I am wondering whether I should wait before applying for permanent residency, and come to Canada first with an eTA visa, and apply for permanent residency while there. However, it would not be able to sustain myself without a work permit. So I am searching for solutions that would be relatively quick and cost-effective.

So are you applying through Express Entry for PR? If so you need ECA, IELTS and TEF to submit a profile. Then you need to be invited through a draw. Then apply for PR and wait. You don’t get a work permit while you wait.

Self employment PR is based on NOCs in the arts, sports and culture. You show your business plan and that you are world class in your filed. Processing is about 3-4 years and only a few are selected.

 

[Alex Ortscheit]

Thanks for the reply Naturgrl!
No, I was doing PR through the PR Portal. But I suppose that's not worth it if it takes 3-4 years with low success rate...
It seems based on your reply that Express Entry is the best way forward. I'm happy to take the ECA, IELTS and TEF tests. I just need to find the right platform.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thanks for the reply Naturgrl!
No, I was doing PR through the PR Portal. But I suppose that's not worth it if it takes 3-4 years with low success rate...
It seems based on your reply that Express Entry is the best way forward. I'm happy to take the ECA, IELTS and TEF tests. I just need to find the right platform.

Google - Express Entry Canada, and see if you are eligible to apply.

 

[Alex Ortscheit]

I already have. I've done the assessment on the Canada.ca website. I was told "You may be eligible to come to Canada as a self-employed person. The steps they've given me were to use the PR portal to create a profile and start a PR application (not express entry). This is what led me to creating this thread to find out if it's worth doing.

 

[Naturgrl]

I already have. I've done the assessment on the Canada.ca website. I was told "You may be eligible to come to Canada as a self-employed person. The steps they've given me were to use the PR portal to create a profile and start a PR application (not express entry). This is what led me to creating this thread to find out if it's worth doing.

What is your NOC/job? Did you google - Express Entry Canada. It is a separate application process.

 

[Alex Ortscheit]

I am self-employed in the film industry (camera department).

I did also look at an EE application process but I need my ECA, IELTS and TEF before being eligible. Canada.ca won't approve my application without them. I'll get that done before submitting another application.

 

[Naturgrl]

I am self-employed in the film industry (camera department).

I did also look at an EE application process but I need my ECA, IELTS and TEF before being eligible. Canada.ca won't approve my application without them. I'll get that done before submitting another application.

Right you need ECA and language scores to even submit a profile. But you can check if you are eligible (selection factors) to start the process.

 

[scylla]

I am self-employed in the film industry (camera department).

I did also look at an EE application process but I need my ECA, IELTS and TEF before being eligible. Canada.ca won't approve my application without them. I'll get that done before submitting another application.

Recommend you also calculate your points under EE. This is a points-based program meaning those with the most points are selected out of the pool. You are aiming for a score of around 500 to make sure you will be selected. You need ECA, IELTS, and TEF just to enter the pool. You need to complete this before you can enter the pool and be selected.

 

[Alex Ortscheit]

Thanks Scylla. According to this website, with above average results in the language tests, my score is only at 422 points. If I could acquire work experience in Canada it would solve that problem, but I suppose it's impossible (even for freelancers) to work in Canada with an eTA Visa. If there are no solutions, my partner (Canadian) and I were discussing getting married once I arrive in Canada to increase my points and my chances with the draw.

 

[scylla]

Thanks Scylla. According to this website, with above average results in the language tests, my score is only at 422 points. If I could acquire work experience in Canada it would solve that problem, but I suppose it's impossible (even for freelancers) to work in Canada with an eTA Visa. If there are no solutions, my partner (Canadian) and I were discussing getting married once I arrive in Canada to increase my points and my chances with the draw.

You cannot work in Canada on an ETA. That would be illegal and this won't count as Canadian work experience (just as a violation of the terms of your eTA). Marrying your Canadian partner will not increase your points in any way. There are no additional points for being married to a Canadian. Your score will be the same after marriage.

 

[YVR123]

Thanks Scylla. According to this website, with above average results in the language tests, my score is only at 422 points. If I could acquire work experience in Canada it would solve that problem, but I suppose it's impossible (even for freelancers) to work in Canada with an eTA Visa. If there are no solutions, my partner (Canadian) and I were discussing getting married once I arrive in Canada to increase my points and my chances with the draw.

if you decided to get married with your partner, he/she can consider to sponsor you to become PR.
it's under family class sponsorship. (not sure if inland or outland is your planned route)
If your partner is with you now, you two can get married and be sponsored via outland.
Otherwise, if your partner is in Canada, then wait till you arrive and get married before applying for the sponsorship.

 

[canuck78]

How old are you? Under 35? You may want to look up IEC and may qualify. That would allow you to work in Canada.

 

[Alex Ortscheit]

if you decided to get married with your partner, he/she can consider to sponsor you to become PR.
it's under family class sponsorship. (not sure if inland or outland is your planned route)
If your partner is with you now, you two can get married and be sponsored via outland.
Otherwise, if your partner is in Canada, then wait till you arrive and get married before applying for the sponsorship.

My partner has already moved to Canada, so inland would be the planned route.
Considering that we would need to wait to get married and apply for sponsorship, should I also wait before applying via express entry until we are married?

 

[Alex Ortscheit]

How old are you? Under 35? You may want to look up IEC and may qualify. That would allow you to work in Canada.

Thanks for the suggestion! I am under 27 so that's definitely worth looking into! Will tackle this option.