Changing my visa from student to self employed

[sanem91]

I am a grad student in Canada. In my home country I worked as a freelance translator for more than five years. Now, can I get registered as a freelance translator in Canada, leave the school and change my status? I don't have an official certificate in translation, and freelance employment is considered informal in my home country. Would these lead to a rejection of my self employed visa request? Thanks to everyone in advance

 

[scylla]

I am a grad student in Canada. In my home country I worked as a freelance translator for more than five years. Now, can I get registered as a freelance translator in Canada, leave the school and change my status? I don't have an official certificate in translation, and freelance employment is considered informal in my home country. Would these lead to a rejection of my self employed visa request? Thanks to everyone in advance

No - you can't do that. If you try, you'll be refused.

Your best option is to complete your studies so that you can qualify for a post graduate work permit. Once you have a PGWP, you'll be free to work full time as a freelancer.

 

[sanem91]

No - you can't do that. If you try, you'll be refused.

Your best option is to complete your studies so that you can qualify for a post graduate work permit. Once you have a PGWP, you'll be free to work full time as a freelancer.

Thank you very much for the clear information. So I'm just curious, would I be refused because of the lack of previous formal employment or is it about certification (or perhaps, both)?

 

[scylla]

Thank you very much for the clear information. So I'm just curious, would I be refused because of the lack of previous formal employment or is it about certification (or perhaps, both)?

You'd be rejected for both of these reasons and more. Self employment visas are very rarely issued. When they are, it's typically to people who have started large businesses in Canada that are employing a number of Canadians. Strongly recommend you stay in school.