Freelancing Software Developer, should I even try?

[raedwa01]

My wife of 18 years is a Dual Citizen (Canada/US). We were home a few weeks ago to visit in-laws and my son absolutely thrived while visiting. We've gone back and forth on the idea of moving back to Nova Scotia for some time now. In the past, it wasn't feasible as I was a full time employee of companies in the United States that had no Canadian branches, let alone in the Annapolis Valley area. In recent years, I have become a freelance consultant of sorts. I have been working exclusively with a firm here in the United States, but almost all (90%) of my work is here at home. They said they have no issue if I choose to work from my (future) home in Canada vs my home in the US.

My concern is where to start on immigration? I've seen lots of things about work permits and express entries and other things. I like to think I am fairly successful. I am grossing about 150K+ in US dollars currently. I expect I would keep that same level while living up there. Honestly, I don't know why Canada would care as long as I am paying taxes, contributing to the economy and not living off social support. Is this something I should even pursue? Will Canada reject my application or keep me from working as a freelancer if I were to move there? Am I stuck in the long wait for a Visa? I think I read that the wait in New York is close to 2-3 years. By then, my son will be established in school and I don't know if I want to disrupt his life that much at that point. Would I even qualify for an express entry?

 

[scylla]

First of all - you're posting in the wrong section. You should be posting to the Family Sponsorship section of the forum since your wife will be sponsoring you through family class. Secondly, US spousal sponsorship applications are not processed through NY - they are processed through Ottawa. You can probably expect around 8-10 months of processing - although several have been getting through in less than six months recently. You can certainly work as a freelancer in Canada as a permanent resident.

You cannot move to Canada as a visitor - all you can do is visit short term (and yes - Canada will care much like the US cares when a Canadian attempts to live in the US without authorization). If you want to stay in Canada long-term - you need to immigrate.

Don't bother with express entry - go the spousal sponsorship route. And once again, move over to the Family Sponsorship section of the forum.

 

[raedwa01]

Ok, thanks. My biggest concern was the employment issue. I wasn't planning to move until after the visa was issued, just concerned that I would be denied the ability to freelance from up there is all.

 

[deweysmith]

Ok, thanks. My biggest concern was the employment issue. I wasn't planning to move until after the visa was issued, just concerned that I would be denied the ability to freelance from up there is all.

I am doing exactly this (sponsored by my wife, freelance developer) and I have had no issues. Taxes are a bit of a pain, you may want to look into establishing a consulting company in Canada once you are a permanent resident, but immigration-wise it's very straightforward.

Is your son a Canadian citizen? You may want to look at certifying his birth and claiming his citizenship before a PR sponsorship application, because becoming a sponsored PR may make him ineligible to claim citizenship by birth, which he is eligible for now if your wife was born in Canada.