Hi,

I would like to know how home based work in Canada is classified and if it is possible to undertake such work in Canada legally. I am currently employed as a transcription typist for the Dept of Justice and have worked there for over four years.

I wish to move to Saskatchewan and have been told there are many international organisations looking for employees to undertake transcription work from home. My question is how do I go about this and could I do this legally in Canada? Would I need to find an employer who was willing to sponsor me so I can gain a work permit in Canada (even though the company is not literally based on Canada) or would I be classified as self-employed or do I need to apply under a different category altogether?

Thanks for your help,
Sue

Whether or not you would be considered self-employed would depend on the structure of your agreement with the company.

Otherwise, if your employer is a Canadian one, then the standard requirements for a work permit would apply (i.e., LMO and then work permit application), even if it is a home based position. If your employer is a foreign company with no Canadian division, then no work permit would ordinarily be required; you would be responsible to obtaining and maintaining temporary resident (visitor) status, however.

Thanks David.

I'm familiar with a visitor visa as I spent a year in Canada on one. However, I did not think it was legally permissible to work whilst on a vistor visa? If I was working for an Australian transcription company from home whilst on a vistor visa in Canada would immigration be happy to allow me into the country knowing that? Would I need something in writing from my Australian employer showing I had a home based job, and equally importantly would Canadian Immigration allow me into the country knowing I would be working?

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.