Express entry for self employed

[shritigr]

Hi there,

I want to know if I apply through express entry is it compulsory to do a job as I have am self employed here in India and would like to be self employed in Canada too. For self employed visa there is a processing time of 9 years. So, is it allowed to do freelancing work/ be self employed if you are selected by express entry?

 

[haznac]

There is no rule against it once you land, but the program you will be applying under is Federal Skilled Worker. Therefore, I don't recommend you to make it clear in your application that you want to keep your self-employed business. There is a chance that kind of a statement may render you ineligible for FSW program. But as I say, once you land, no one is going to follow you to see what you are doing.

 

[haznac]

You may have this follow-up question: "Are my chances any lower for FSW when the agent sees I have a self-employed history?". The answer is no, they are not. However, self-employed history must be proven with reference letters from your clients; bank statements showing regular incoming money from your self-emploted activities, especially from those who gave you a reference letter; tax certificate (not mandatory but very useful); official stamped invoices you issued to your clients (not mandatory but very useful); any certificate from a body that regulates your profession in your home country (not mandatory but very useful).

 

[shritigr]

Thanks for the reply

 

[haznac]

No problem