Self-employed immigration
#16
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Self-employed immigration
This may be of use when filling out the forms
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...-criteria.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...-criteria.html
#17
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 26
Re: Self-employed immigration
One of my big concerns is that you just have to pay the fees when you send the forms without the chance to see if you're even likely to be accepted and I'm assuming - unless someone corrects me - that if we were to apply and be told we weren't successful, that we'd lose the fees?
The Business section - Form Schedule 6A, Question 11D
We definitely included tax return information to support some of our answers. We didn't need to ask the accountant, we just grabbed the info from previous returns.
I have no idea on business debt and whether it'll effect your application. Sorry.
And for the business experience section in the Document Checklist, they say:
"Proof of your relevant experience during the 5 years before application submission" and that "The onus is on you to produce documentation to support your experience in one of these areas". My initial thought is to provide a letter-headed signed statement from all of my clients that says the duties I have carried out for them, how long I've worked for them for and the rate of pay. Am I missing anything there? What else did you provide? And any further suggestions from others about what else to send?
"Proof of your relevant experience during the 5 years before application submission" and that "The onus is on you to produce documentation to support your experience in one of these areas". My initial thought is to provide a letter-headed signed statement from all of my clients that says the duties I have carried out for them, how long I've worked for them for and the rate of pay. Am I missing anything there? What else did you provide? And any further suggestions from others about what else to send?
When it came to copies of things, did you just get a "professional" person to certify them or does have to be a solicitor (the closest thing to a notary I can find for UK)?
I'm sorry I can't be much help on specifics. I wouldn't want to lead you down the wrong path so thoroughly reommend the link above as the best starting point.
We were confident that we were a good fit for this programme before applying, but we know there's still a chance that it's going to be a no. That's the risk we had to take as our EE point score was never going to be enough.
Again, sorry I can't be much help on the specifics, all I can recommend is being as thorough as possible in your answers and treating it like you just have one shot.
Good luck!
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2021
Location: London
Posts: 6
Re: Self-employed immigration
Hello Forum Gang
I hope you are all keeping safe and well.
I have finally got my act together and got the documents and proofs for a Self Employed application as we were discussing a couple of months back. Thanks to you all for your help thus far...
A couple of questions for you:
- Just to triple check my own status, as I understand it here (https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself#content), I am considered as someone who "works for myself" in the UK - I currently have my own Limited Company, through which I work, and I also work through a payroll/umbrella company. As I understand it, I work for multiple companies selling a service so I will be considered as a "Self Employed" person by Canada. Does that sound correct to you guys?
- My occupation as a Freelance Video Editor (working in TV) falls under the NOC Code 5131 (film editors) and this is part of the "Cultural Activities" as required for this program - does that sound correct?
- As I previously suggested, to prove my experience as a self employed person, I am going to provide the following. Please let me know if you think this sounds correct?
Signed Reference Letters from each of my clients (including job title, rate of pay, hours and dates of work and a brief description of duties)
Remittance Slips / Timesheets from these clients for work invoiced
Tax Info (from each of the 5 years being claimed)
- Having looked at the Document Checklist of what needs to be sent over, I have a number of Educational Certificates, WES ESA Certificates, IELTS Certificates, Passports, Birth Certificates etc. Now in the checklist it says whether to send the originals or copies. In the guide it doesn't strictly say that every document that you send a copy for needs to be certified / notarized. Or have I got that wrong? There is a section where it says copies need to be notarized but that seems to relate to documents that need translating. It's definitely not clear to me. As far as I can tell it doesn't seem to say anywhere that EVERY photocopied document I am sending them needs notarizing. Before I go and find a notary and spend what looks like is going to be HUNDREDS of pounds to get it all done, I wanted to check - Do I need to get EVERY SINGLE document for which they are requesting copies rather than originals Notarized or are there specific ones that I need to do?
Any help would be massively appreciated guys.
Thanks.
I hope you are all keeping safe and well.
I have finally got my act together and got the documents and proofs for a Self Employed application as we were discussing a couple of months back. Thanks to you all for your help thus far...
A couple of questions for you:
- Just to triple check my own status, as I understand it here (https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself#content), I am considered as someone who "works for myself" in the UK - I currently have my own Limited Company, through which I work, and I also work through a payroll/umbrella company. As I understand it, I work for multiple companies selling a service so I will be considered as a "Self Employed" person by Canada. Does that sound correct to you guys?
- My occupation as a Freelance Video Editor (working in TV) falls under the NOC Code 5131 (film editors) and this is part of the "Cultural Activities" as required for this program - does that sound correct?
- As I previously suggested, to prove my experience as a self employed person, I am going to provide the following. Please let me know if you think this sounds correct?
Signed Reference Letters from each of my clients (including job title, rate of pay, hours and dates of work and a brief description of duties)
Remittance Slips / Timesheets from these clients for work invoiced
Tax Info (from each of the 5 years being claimed)
- Having looked at the Document Checklist of what needs to be sent over, I have a number of Educational Certificates, WES ESA Certificates, IELTS Certificates, Passports, Birth Certificates etc. Now in the checklist it says whether to send the originals or copies. In the guide it doesn't strictly say that every document that you send a copy for needs to be certified / notarized. Or have I got that wrong? There is a section where it says copies need to be notarized but that seems to relate to documents that need translating. It's definitely not clear to me. As far as I can tell it doesn't seem to say anywhere that EVERY photocopied document I am sending them needs notarizing. Before I go and find a notary and spend what looks like is going to be HUNDREDS of pounds to get it all done, I wanted to check - Do I need to get EVERY SINGLE document for which they are requesting copies rather than originals Notarized or are there specific ones that I need to do?
Any help would be massively appreciated guys.
Thanks.
#20
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 26
Re: Self-employed immigration
Hey,
Proof of your experience seems to make sense.
In terms of using a notary, it's been over a year since we submitted our application, and I don't remember using one (apart from the photographer signing the photos). I certainly don't remember paying for one, anyway (having been aware of the escalating costs as we pulled the application together!).
PLease don't take my word for it though. I'd keep looking for a definitive answer until you're confident yourself.
For what it's worth, we haven't heard a peep since passing our medicals and paying the right of permanent residency fee in November. Really frustrating!
Proof of your experience seems to make sense.
In terms of using a notary, it's been over a year since we submitted our application, and I don't remember using one (apart from the photographer signing the photos). I certainly don't remember paying for one, anyway (having been aware of the escalating costs as we pulled the application together!).
PLease don't take my word for it though. I'd keep looking for a definitive answer until you're confident yourself.
For what it's worth, we haven't heard a peep since passing our medicals and paying the right of permanent residency fee in November. Really frustrating!
Last edited by ThisisRobbo; Mar 3rd 2021 at 10:02 pm.
#21
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 26
Re: Self-employed immigration
Hey,
So, we applyed through the Self Employment programme at the turn of the year and this morning we received our invitation for Pre-Arrival services. Having googled it, there appears to be mixed opinions as to whether this is a good thing or simply a standard email.
Does anyone know what the next stage is or how far through the process we are? The timeline still suggests December 2021 until completion.
Many thanks all
So, we applyed through the Self Employment programme at the turn of the year and this morning we received our invitation for Pre-Arrival services. Having googled it, there appears to be mixed opinions as to whether this is a good thing or simply a standard email.
Does anyone know what the next stage is or how far through the process we are? The timeline still suggests December 2021 until completion.
Many thanks all
Just thought I'd quickly update this thread as I've found it can be helpful when looking for insight. Since passing our medicals at the beginning of November we haven't received any updates. However, last week we did receive the 'client experience' email which suggests that a decision has been made - we just don't know what that decision is 🤷♂️.
Keeping our fingers crossed but with the 'third wave' taking hold, who knows how much longer we'll have to wait.
#22
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 26
Re: Self-employed immigration
Hey all,
Just thought I'd quickly update this thread as I've found it can be helpful when looking for insight. Since passing our medicals at the beginning of November we haven't received any updates. However, last week we did receive the 'client experience' email which suggests that a decision has been made - we just don't know what that decision is 🤷♂️.
Keeping our fingers crossed but with the 'third wave' taking hold, who knows how much longer we'll have to wait.
Just thought I'd quickly update this thread as I've found it can be helpful when looking for insight. Since passing our medicals at the beginning of November we haven't received any updates. However, last week we did receive the 'client experience' email which suggests that a decision has been made - we just don't know what that decision is 🤷♂️.
Keeping our fingers crossed but with the 'third wave' taking hold, who knows how much longer we'll have to wait.
#25
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Self-employed immigration
Brilliant news!! Congrats!
Check the date you have to use the COPR by - do you have a while before it expires? Hopefully you won't have to wait too long before you can fly over..
Use the time wisely, read up on 'things to do before you come' - what to bring etc., etc., https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...gistics-Canada visit all the places you really like (once you are allowed to) and enjoy blighty while you are still there.
#26
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 26
Re: Self-employed immigration
Thanks! Our COPR expires end of October, so we'll see how we get on. In the meantime, I'll get reading...