Full-time job and starting small business on PGWP

[computerscience23]

Hello guys! I recently graduated and applied for PGWP. I am currently on implied status. I started a full-time job and looking forward to starting a small side business soon. I will register the business on CRA to get the business number. I was wondering if I can do so legally? Would that have any implications on PR application in the future?

Thanks in advance!

 

[fritchou]

Unfortunately you are not permitted to own 100% of any business registered in Canada. Only citizens and PRs are permitted to do so. The only other alternative is to wait until you have PR status.

 

[computerscience23]

Unfortunately you are not permitted to own 100% of any business registered in Canada. Only citizens and PRs are permitted to do so. The only other alternative is to wait until you have PR status.

Actually this business will be in partnership. And my partner is a Canadian citizen. Would that be fine? Also can you please share the source of the information if possible.

 

[fritchou]

Actually this business will be in partnership. And my partner is a Canadian citizen. Would that be fine? Also can you please share the source of the information if possible.

just google that and u will find info. u can't start or won business until you are citizen or pr holder. that is the short answer. ask canadian laywers about co-founding. not sure about that.

 

[Simba112]

Actually this business will be in partnership. And my partner is a Canadian citizen. Would that be fine? Also can you please share the source of the information if possible.

For tax residency purpose, you can split ownership and that will be okey. If you meet residency requirement as per the CRA residency Act, then you can be majority shareholder but not by 100%, let say 51%. Once you become landed immigrant and want to restructure, you can do so by following the guidelines and plus Annual return if it is Corporations...

 

[computerscience23]

just google that and u will find info. u can't start or won business until you are citizen or pr holder. that is the short answer. ask canadian laywers about co-founding. not sure about that.

Not sure what you're saying is true. According to official CIC website:

With a post-graduation work permit, as with all open work permits, graduates can

• work full time
• work part time
• be self-employed

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...st-graduation-work-permit-program/permit.html

 

[Naturgrl]

Not sure what you're saying is true. According to official CIC website:

With a post-graduation work permit, as with all open work permits, graduates can

• work full time
• work part time
• be self-employed

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...st-graduation-work-permit-program/permit.html

You can be self employed as it doesn’t mean you have to register a business. It doesn’t count towards CEC.

 

[computerscience23]

You can be self employed as it doesn’t mean you have to register a business. It doesn’t count towards CEC.

Yes but my question is what if we register the business? Are we allowed to? I will be using my full time job experience for CEC, so that’s fine.

 

[Naturgrl]

Yes but my question is what if we register the business? Are we allowed to? I will be using my full time job experience for CEC, so that’s fine.

As long as your Canadian partner has majority ownership in the business. You register the business in the province where your partner resides. Honestly get a lawyer who knows the ins and outs when one partner is not a citizen or PR.

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/nonresident-business-in-canada-2948595

 

[Ironclad]

As long as your Canadian partner has majority ownership in the business. You register the business in the province where your partner resides. Honestly get a lawyer who knows the ins and outs when one partner is not a citizen or PR.

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/nonresident-business-in-canada-2948595

Well, talking about ins and outs. Think the full-time or small-time business/job is irrelevant compared to what is at stake.

 

[Naturgrl]

Well, talking about in's and out's. Think the full-time or small-time business/job is irrelevant compared to what is at stake.

Absolutely agree. OP needs an immigration lawyer who understands this because if done incorrectly then PR may not be possible. Don’t understand why OP needs to set up a business now and can’t wait until he/she has PR.

 

[fritchou]

Absolutely agree. OP needs an immigration lawyer who understands this because if done incorrectly then PR may not be possible. Don’t understand why OP needs to set up a business now and can’t wait until he/she has PR.

indeed. i would not risk it tbh. one violation of rules and bye bye to PR dream.

 

[JamStory]

Totally agree, seek the advice of a lawyer.

 

[computerscience23]

After consulting the immigration department of my DLI, it seems like it is totally legal to work full-time for an employer and be self-employed (registered business) simultaneously since PGWP is an open work permit. They asked me to watch out for 2 main things:

1. Report income from side business every year.
2. Self-employment experience won't count towards CEC (but this is fine since I'll be using my full-time experience anyways).

Thank you everyone for the help!

 

[Simba112]

After consulting the immigration department of my DLI, it seems like it is totally legal to work full-time for an employer and be self-employed (registered business) simultaneously since PGWP is an open work permit. They asked me to watch out for 2 main things:

1. Report income from side business every year.
2. Self-employment experience won't count towards CEC (but this is fine since I'll be using my full-time experience anyways).

Thank you everyone for the help!

Thats from open work permit point of view, but when registering business as corporation you need not to have majority shares if you are not PR/Citizen but you can have minority if you are temporary status..
Speak with your accountant or any consulting firm they know way round