As I've read the instructions for eligibility to apply under the Canadian Experience Class, I've run into a grey area where I'm not sure my unusual employment situation will qualify me in this category.
As a performing artist, I've worked in Canada the required 24 months within the past 36 months and fulfilled all the other CEC requirements. I've been issued a work permit with a job title on the NOC code list that is Skill Level A. My work permit and positive Labour Market Opinion from Service Canada list my specific employer, location of employment, wages, full-time hours of work, etc. However, when I file my taxes with revenue Canada, as a performing artist, I apply as a self-employed person -- this is the way all performing artists in Canada are categorized for tax purposes, not just those of us on a work permit.
My question is: is there a difference between "self-employment" as considered by Revenue Canada and as considered by Immigration? Self-employment cannot be used to qualify for CEC, but it seems to me that it's only the tax designation that makes my Canadian work "self-employment;" after all, my work permit doesn't name myself as my employer.
Can anyone clear this up for me?
As a performing artist, I've worked in Canada the required 24 months within the past 36 months and fulfilled all the other CEC requirements. I've been issued a work permit with a job title on the NOC code list that is Skill Level A. My work permit and positive Labour Market Opinion from Service Canada list my specific employer, location of employment, wages, full-time hours of work, etc. However, when I file my taxes with revenue Canada, as a performing artist, I apply as a self-employed person -- this is the way all performing artists in Canada are categorized for tax purposes, not just those of us on a work permit.
My question is: is there a difference between "self-employment" as considered by Revenue Canada and as considered by Immigration? Self-employment cannot be used to qualify for CEC, but it seems to me that it's only the tax designation that makes my Canadian work "self-employment;" after all, my work permit doesn't name myself as my employer.
Can anyone clear this up for me?