Self-employment / Sole proprietor

[Kai2105]

Hello all,

First of all thanks for all the info that is provided here - that's super super helpful.

I got an ITA for CEC based on the work experience that I gathered during the last 2.5 years, under a PGWP. The relevant work experience for the CEC application was as a CASUAL worker (for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada).

However, during that time I also worked as a freelancer / sole proprietor (which was acutely my main source of income). This doesn't give me any points for the PR application, and as far as I know is irrelevant for the CEC application - do I still have to provide all the details etc for this job, and what document are required? Just a letter of reference from my clients / contract provider? All my invoices?

Thanks a lot in advance. Happy to provide more info if needed.

Cheers,

 

[Kai2105]

/push Just wondering if somebody knows the answer?

 

[ariannaw]

Hello! I am just wondering if you figured this out at all? I am in a similar position!

 

[Kai2105]

Hi Arianna,

No unfortunately not - still wondering myself. I would think though that it's probably better to include it. Otherwise numbers on tax receipts etc won't make sense and could raise additional questions.

Another question I have now, is do we need to include any work information from before we got the PGWP? Again, this is not relevant for points at all and would cause additional work.

Cheers,
Kai

 

[jes_ON]

I got an ITA for CEC based on the work experience that I gathered during the last 2.5 years, under a PGWP. The relevant work experience for the CEC application was as a CASUAL worker (for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada).

However, during that time I also worked as a freelancer / sole proprietor (which was acutely my main source of income). This doesn't give me any points for the PR application, and as far as I know is irrelevant for the CEC application - do I still have to provide all the details etc for this job, and what document are required? Just a letter of reference from my clients / contract provider? All my invoices?

Well, if you listed it in your Profile, you will be asked for all the documentation. You did not need to list self-employment it in your profile, since it is not eligible for points. You DO need to list it in your eAPR under Personal History. If you can delete the job from your profile after the ITA, go ahead and do it. If you cannot, simply upload a letter of explanation instead of the documentation.

 

[Kai2105]

Thanks very much for the reply jes-ON! This is super helpful.

No I didn't list any self-employment for my profile that got me the ITA. It does, however, now give me the chance to modify each of the sections and entries, so I could always add it.

But, am I understanding correctly that
-I DO NOT have to add self-employment under "Work history" (and provide documentation) but
-I DO have to list it under "Personal history" (but without supporting documentation)?

and this is despite my tax slips obviously showing that I made more money than what my CASUAL alone would have brought in.

 

[Rxm169]

I worked as a contractor too. Didn’t claim any points for it. Just mentioned it in my personal history. You don’t need to provide any explanation or documentation for it.

 

[Kai2105]

Okay fantastic, thanks so much! My other question then would be:

For the profile that got me the ITA, I entered that I started employment in April 2018. That was when my Post Graduation Work Permit was approved, and the date I started counting hours for the PR. HOWEVER, the employment contract states that I was employed starting Sep 2017.

Under "Works History", should I change the beginning of the employment work to the date that matches the employment contract, or leave it as is which would be the beginning of the study permit / when I counted hours for PR?

(I am only submitting casual employment timesheets starting April 2018 as additional proof of my hours)

 

[Rxm169]

Your employment start date should be whatever your employment reference letter will state, which is one of the documents you’ll have to provide. As far as I know you don’t need to provide any timesheets and such, the reference letter states your hrs worked, salary, etc.

im not sure if you worked after receiving final transcripts and before getting implied status (which would be illegal).did you? I have a similar situation, but mentioned all actual dates of employment.

I’d wait to hear from senior members regarding your question.

 

[ariannaw]

I worked as a contractor too. Didn’t claim any points for it. Just mentioned it in my personal history. You don’t need to provide any explanation or documentation for it.

Did you work as a sole proprietor?

 

[Kai2105]

Your employment start date should be whatever your employment reference letter will state, which is one of the documents you’ll have to provide. As far as I know you don’t need to provide any timesheets and such, the reference letter states your hrs worked, salary, etc.

im not sure if you worked after receiving final transcripts and before getting implied status (which would be illegal).did you? I have a similar situation, but mentioned all actual dates of employment.

I’d wait to hear from senior members regarding your question.

Okay thanks, yes it would be great to hear from a senior member as well.

And no, I didn't work between finishing my studies and the time I applied for PGWP. I actually don't think I even worked between applying for PGWP and getting approved - but per contract I was already employed as a CASUAL worker (as and when required).

To clarify: a casual worker contract can last lets say a year. But over that year you only work when required/needed. Hence, it's not like a permanent employee who has very regular hours etc. That's always why I thought it's a good idea to submit timesheets as part of my application.

 

[Rxm169]

Did you work as a sole proprietor?

No, Independent Contractor.

 

[Rxm169]

Okay thanks, yes it would be great to hear from a senior member as well.

And no, I didn't work between finishing my studies and the time I applied for PGWP. I actually don't think I even worked between applying for PGWP and getting approved - but per contract I was already employed as a CASUAL worker (as and when required).

To clarify: a casual worker contract can last lets say a year. But over that year you only work when required/needed. Hence, it's not like a permanent employee who has very regular hours etc. That's always why I thought it's a good idea to submit timesheets as part of my application.

Ah I see. That’s fair

 

[Kai2105]

I have prepared a sample reference letter - would anybody of the VIP Members mind having a look at let me know if everything seems okay? I can send a private message with the letter.

Many thanks!