Registering for a sole proprietorship business — on student visa

[hoborg]

Would you be allowed to apply for a sole proprietorship business (simply to be able to work under a business name) with a student visa (as long as you have the work permit on your study permit and, of course, you know that you do not work for more than 20hr/week)?

 

[k.h.p.]

Why would you register a sole proprietorship and not a corporation? You don't get any legal benefit from a sole proprietorship - you are personally liable.

 

[hoborg]

You cannot just open a corporation in Ontario by yourself as an international student, and it is not allowed. I ask because I would like to explore the possibility of doing some freelance work under a registered name, and sole proprietorship business registration fulfills that well. However, I am not sure if I can (lawfully allowed to) open a sole proprietorship business as an international student.