dave_topley

Hi all,

It's been a while since I last posted, but it would appear that we are now nearing the end of our application process having now completed our medicals.

I have a couple of questions specifically related to business class (entrepreneur) business situation.

Question 1.

As a condition of this class, I am (in fact have already registered) starting an IT company in London, Ontario specialising in software development and supply to public safety organisations (primarily police). As part of that business I shall be, personally, providing some consultancy services.

If those services were provided to UK police forces that involved me travelling back to the UK for short periods of time (a week or two at most per business trip), with all invoicing for those services being provided from my Canadian business, and my salary etc. being provided from my Canadian business (and thus Canadian taxation system), would that time spent on business in the UK (or elsewhere outside of Canada e.g. USA) be counted as qualifying time for retention of PR and/or as qualifying time towards Canadian Citizenship?

Question 2.

As a further condition of this class, I shall need to employ 'at least one full time post or equivalent' for a Canadian citizen or Permanent resident (excluding immediate family members - don't all rush at once!). Being pedantic, does that 'employment' need strictly to be a direct employee (or employees) of my business e.g. salaried or may it be an 'associated consultant' responsible for their own taxation etc. and thus I may pay him/her via invoicing for consultancy services?

Hope all that makes sense and thanks in advance for your comments

Dave

Andrew Miller

Those days will never count towards citizenship.

They may count towards 2/5 residency obligation to maintain PR status, but not if it is a one-person (owner) business, even with some independently associated consultants or contractors. It will be really tricky to have what you propose approved if those days abroad add to substantial number. If those trips will be just few a year, not longer than a week or two per trip then you may get away with it. But company must operate in Canada, not just be registered here, pay salaries, issue invoices and collect receivables - business must operate in Canada.


It must be full time, salaried employee or employees - contractors or "associated consultants" won't count.

dave_topley

Thank you Andrew for your promt reply.

The company will, indeed, be fully operating within Canada with the majority of customers being Canadian.

On the second point, that confirms my understanding although, as you can imagine, the initial info in the guidelines doesn't make it absolutely clear. I shall, therefore, be looking for full time employers when I arrive.

Timing is fortuitous. We received our Requests for Passports today so we shall be arriving in Canada on 3rd August. :-)

Thanks again

Dave

Andrew Miller

Congratulations!!!!