Unemployed, valid work permit, awaiting PR: what are my options?

[daniel514]

Hello,

First of all, thank you for providing this forum! I've found a tremendous amount of useful info here in my application process, and canadavisa.com turns up on google more often than any other site when seeking comprehensive immigration info. So thanks!

Now to my question. I am a US citizen currently living in Canada on a temporary work permit valid through 2013. I resigned from that job in April 2011, and have been unemployed since then. I am a game developer by trade, and would like to develop games at home for sale over the internet, if possible. This could mean selling directly to customers, licensing to website operators, or doing contract work, if one is more doable than the others.

I spoke with CIC a couple times, and got friendly advice, though somewhat contradictory. I was unclear whether I could submit an IMM1249 to change my visa to self-employed or not. Additionally, I was told that if I was paid by a US company, in US funds, to a US bank account, that I could do so without violating my visa. I was also told that the aforementioned US company must not be one I've created solely for this purpose.

My question is this: is there any way I could earn income as a game developer without violating my visa/status?

Relevant info:

• Worked for a Canadian game developer on visas between 2004-2011.
• Applied for spousal PR November 2010 with my common law wife as sponsor (she is a Canadian citizen).
• Current work permit was for an employer in Quebec. Past work permits for same employer in Alberta office.
• Currently residing in BC.
• PR application required some additional documents as a result of our move from QC to BC earlier this year. We sent those in and they were listed as received September 2011. PR status is now once again "in process."

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to any info you can offer!

Best,
Daniel

 

[dskairon]

Hi daniel

why don't you join some company (small company) who agrees for a small cut from your income and provides you with a job offer in your specialized filed. You may have to do some research work for that you know. Give some adv. in news paper etc.I feel that why you will be given priority in your PR application and with in few months you are PR holder

 

[daniel514]

Hi dskairon,

Thanks for the reply. That is definitely one option. I thought of starting a Canadian company with my PR sponsor as an officer, but I didn't think of the business arrangement you mention. Both are possibilities.

What about the form IMM1249? Is it possible to change the conditions of my current visa to one that allows self-employment?

And does CIC care if I do work for a US company while living in Canada? As I mentioned in my original post, it sounded like the CIC was okay with this, but I seemed to get different answers each time I called them.

Best,
Daniel

 

[malek777]

Hi Daniel,

I just read your post. Im in the same boat! I was wondering if you managed to get a work permit as self employed?


Thanks,

Malek

 

[daniel514]

Hey Malek,

Unfortunately, I never did. I ended up just waiting it out until my PR came through (I got notice of a decision a few weeks later).

The posts I make above were the best leads I could find after months of research, though. Being employed/paid from a non-Canadian source, or trying to change conditions via IMM1249.

While getting through on the phone can be a hassle, calling CIC is probably the most effective source for answers. Alternately, I never looked into whether it would be possible to call my provincial office. The reason I mention that is that they seemed to be extremely fast in processing things once the national office was finished. Perhaps speaking with a local rep might yield more answers?

Sorry I couldn't be of greater help! Good luck!

Best,
Dan