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| Subject: Telecommute working in Canada |
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I have been trying to find an answer to this question for some time now. I know you cannot work in Canada without a work permit. However, if I have a self employed freelance writing job, where I sit at my computer during the day and write for companies based in the USA and in the UK, do I need a work permit to do this?
It seems to me that the work permit is necessary for jobs that Canadian citizens could potentially get. My job is my own...I have my own clients. This is annoying me no end as I dont know what I would say to the Canadian Border Officer without sounding like I am working without a work permit.
Also...I recently spent 9 months in Canada (yes I applied and was accepted for the extra three). I really want to go back as I loved my time there. I made a lot of new friends and the whole experience was fantastic. However, I dont know if I should go so soon. I may not be allowed in because I am returning so soon (it will only have been 3 months since my return if I do go back out). Does anyone know what my options are as I am sick of reading page after page of text on the CIC Immigration website.
Thank you for reading guys!
[13-06-2010,08:48]
[**.174.122.106]
James |
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(in reply to: Telecommute working in Canada)
Yes you do need a work permit for this.
I am going to use as an example a 1-800 number.
Let´s say that X company is located in Ontario and takes call for technical support for a company in the US and Australia.
X Company or consultant has to be registred as a company in Canada which means, it has to pay taxes.
You have no authorization to do such a thing. If you want to service companies in the US or UK, why don´t you do it from your home country?
Or immigrate to Canada as a business person.
Short answer. You need a work permit in order to work in Canada.
[14-06-2010,11:01]
[***.115.153.178]
DocD |
(in reply to: Telecommute working in Canada)
Thanks for the answer but I found out today that you are wrong. As I pay taxes to the UK and I am paid into a UK bank account, I dont need a work permit.
Thank you for your help though.
You might want to research your answers more.
[14-06-2010,21:07]
[**.174.122.106]
James |
(in reply to: Telecommute working in Canada)
I think you should research what you think you know a little more.
I will take the time to explain as simple as I can your two possible scenarios.
You entered Canada as a visitor few months ago and you were authorized to stay 6 months in the country, then you asked for an extention for another 3 and then you left Canada right?
When you received your visitor´s extention you were given an 8 digit number or a customer number which means there is a file on you that has been created which will pop up at the screen of the CBSA officer when you try to re-enter Canada.
Now 6 months later you want to re-enter Canada.
If you tell to the CBSA officer that you want to stay for 6 months, that will raise some flags. If you tell him/her that you are going to stay only...let´s say 2 months, he/she will ask to see your return ticket and assuming that your ticket matches your request, you will be authorized to stay only TWO months. When you try to apply for an extention, you just may not get it.
This is a very smooth scenario.
#2
CBSA thinks that based on your visitor´s record you don´t meet the criteria of what is known as a "temporary visitor" and the airport is as far as you are going to go.
I think you are misunderstanding the concept of a visitor or a "business visitor". Business visitor´s normally don´t require an extention for more than 6 months an when they do, they have a "host" company to support or justify the request.
At the end, go ahead and let me know how it goes for you.
[15-06-2010,11:43]
[***.115.153.178]
DocD |
(in reply to: Telecommute working in Canada)
The thing which I dont understand and I guess I will never understand is why someone who is 22 and just wants to visit friends in Canada and enjoy himself over there and travel around a bit would not be allowed in.
It seems utterly ridiculous to me, but I know immigration is like that all over the world.
Innocent young travellers are being viewed as potential illegal immigrants. I like Canada, but dont get me wrong, I dont want to live there. Europe is far more interesting.
Thanks for the info.
[15-06-2010,13:20]
[**.174.122.106]
James |
(in reply to: Telecommute working in Canada)
Oh by the way, I double checked the working in Canada thing with the Canadian Immigration in London, the Canadian Embassy that is. Turns out I was right and because I pay taxes in UK and am paid into UK bank account I DONT need a work permit...this is in case anyone stumbles over this forum.
Cheers
[15-06-2010,13:24]
[**.174.122.106]
James |
(in reply to: Telecommute working in Canada)
I´m thanking James A LOT for posting his question and especially the follow up about finding a confirmation for his case.
I´m also a telecommuting worker, on senior software developer position (NOC code of 2173 if I´m not mistaken), being for years with same US company and I plan to do so in the future.
Now, I would like to live in Canada. Period.
I don´t see why would that be so strange and unbelievable - to readers here, as well as to Canadian customs.
I have enough money to support myself and my family, but I would like to live in healthier society, where people kept some more of their humanity, where you don´t have to teach your 2nd grade son to handle knife attacks or worse or where you can walk out in the night with some lower chances of being shot or mugged, where the schooling and/or health insurance is possibly a bit better.
So, I´m targeting Canada to stay there, raise my children to become honest man and to contribute to society they live in.
What´s wrong with that?
As James earlier, I was also looking for an answer for a while and I´m still not sure I found it.
What I would like to know is - is it possible to stay for some period in Canada, telecommuting for foreign company and getting paid on foreign account, paying taxes to that foreign country (or to Canada if possible, whatever).
Could that period count towards the days needed for permanent residence?
I read this article:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/fw01-eng.pdf, under "Information technology workers". It says that if you are working like that, you DO NOT need to have a work permit, but I suspect that could be only for a period of 12 months.
Would it be possible/legal to ask for permanent residence during or after those 12 months?
I know it´s a tough question, but maybe someone will see it and know the answer or it will at least help him find his own answers - in a year or two when he/she sees this.
What´s wrong with that
[27-12-2011,11:10]
[**.175.67.51]
Marko |
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