Does independent consultant contract present any problems under EE FSW?

[av.citizen]

Hi guys,

I would appreciate if someone with similar experience could shed light on this matter. I am a software developer and I work remotely for a company in Ireland. I have an independent consultant agreement with them, although I perform the same duties as usual employees do: I work 40 hours/week and receive fixed salary. I am sure my employer don't have problem with providing me a letter with my main duties listed. Will such kind of contract present problems if I receive an ITA? I read somewhere that it might be considered as self-employed work.

 

[av.citizen]

Can someone help?

 

[haznac]

It is freelance work since it is not a payroll employment. But I don't see why it would be a problem. As long as you prove the hours you put in and the money you received at the bank, it is all good.

 

[dobes]

It is freelance work since it is not a payroll employment. But I don't see why it would be a problem. As long as you prove the hours you put in and the money you received at the bank, it is all good.

My partner taught English in Europe under a self-employment license. There is a place on the PR application to tick the "self-employed" box when listing your jobs. My partner was able to supply letters from the schools he taught freelance for, and it would have been better if he still had his invoices for his services or his tax forms - but this was years ago, so he doesn't.

It seems to be fine to be self-employed, but you should find as much documentation as you can to support it - the letter is primary, but invoices and evidence of pay checks or regular deposits to your bank account also help.

 

[haznac]

My partner taught English in Europe under a self-employment license. There is a place on the PR application to tick the "self-employed" box when listing your jobs. My partner was able to supply letters from the schools he taught freelance for, and it would have been better if he still had his invoices for his services or his tax forms - but this was years ago, so he doesn't.

It seems to be fine to be self-employed, but you should find as much documentation as you can to support it - the letter is primary, but invoices and evidence of pay checks or regular deposits to your bank account also help.

Absolutely. Being self-employed myself, my application got rejected last year exactly for that very reason - not sending invoices, tax records, bank statements showing transactions from companies in question. Those are absolutely vital. 9 reference letters, all detailing how much money they had paid me, were NOT enough.

 

[av.citizen]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Will try to make sure that I've got all necessary documentation.
Another question: my invoices are maintained by electronic system called FreshBooks because I work remotely. Will it be ok?