As yourself,  can I afford to set up a business?

You need to make sure that you calculate how much it is going to cost to start up and run your business to ensure that you have accurate figures in your business plan, especially if you’re applying for investment from third parties.

All costs need to be recorded for reporting to Canada Revenue ( even if you are a limited company or a certain type of partnership).

Here is a guide to costs you may incur when setting up your business:

Business planning,  Registrations, Permit and Licences
 Insurance ,  set up and location, employee, payroll and taxes

For more please check this link:
Information on planning, starting and growing your own business

Canada Revenue recommends that you keep the following records, which will help you to fill out your tax return:

cashbooks;
invoices and receipts;
electronic sales records or till rolls;
mileage records;
bank statements;
P60s (if you are also employed);
payroll records (if you have employees);
rent books;
hire purchase records;
an inventory of stock on hand;
a record of money taken out of the business for personal use.
So what do I need to know now that I have to pay self-employment taxes every year?

Each year, depending on the number of people I provide my services to, I need to collect  finantial statements at the end of the year to file my taxes.  Learn about Federal and provincial taxes of the contracting world and in order to avoid an audit, you need to make sure  you report exactly what is on that form.

Now that you started the year as a contractor, you should probably pay quarterly taxes rather than wait until the end of the year. If you think it’s a good idea simply to pay a year’s worth of payroll, federal and provincial income taxes once a year, think again. The CR will levy a

severe underpayment penalty for holding on to its money the entire year. Payments are to be made April 15th, July 15th, October 15th and January 15th (The January payment will be in the following fiscal year).

Owning my own business,  you will be keeping your eyes and ears open for every possible deduction to minimize the new taxes that you now need to pay. Previously, the standard deduction was all that I needed but those days are well behind me.
Somehow, you need to realize that every check you receive for you work is not 100%  yours to keep. A good chunk of that belongs to the government, so in order not to spend everything I make, I’ve decided to set aside an online savings account specifically for payment of  CR taxes. Four times a year,  you will take money out of that account to pay my estimated taxes the other days of the year, that account does not exist!   Self-Employment taxes can certainly be a drag if you’re just getting started in a new business and have never heard of them before.

But when you’re 65 and reaping the benefits of social security (reaping may be exaggerated and that’s assuming there’s anything left that far in the future) you won’t be as upset that the CR made you pay it.

If you are an entrepreneur ready to invest in and actively manage a business in the province, you may be eligible for the ON Provincial Nominee Program’s (PNP) Business Immigration stream. This stream accelerates the permanent residence application process for individuals who can establish themselves in ON. and develop a business that will provide significant economic benefits to the province. To qualify, you must meet specific personal net worth thresholds, make a minimum investment in an eligible business, be actively involved in the daily management of the business, and create one or more new jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Please note that meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval.

The Business Immigration application process has two phases:
In phase one, you sign a performance agreement and are initially supported for a two-year work permit.
In phase two, you arrive in ON. on the work permit, establish and actively manage your business, and complete the investment and job-creation requirements.
Applicants are nominated by the ON PNP for Permanent Residence in Canada only when they satisfy the terms of their performance agreement.

You can apply to the PNP as a business immigrant in one of three categories as described below. Each category has specific requirements.

The Entrepreneur category is the best choice if:
You would like to start or purchase and expand a business anywhere in ON.
You have a personal net worth of at least $800,000.
You intend to invest at least $400,000 in (and acquire at least one-third equity ownership of) the business.
You can commit to creating at least three new jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
You would like to propose one key staff member on your application.
The Regional Entrepreneur category is the best choice if:
You would like to start or purchase and expand a business outside of the Vancouver and Abbotsford metropolitan areas.
You have a personal net worth of at least $400,000.
You intend to invest at least $200,000 in (and acquire at least one-third equity ownership of) the business.
You can commit to creating at least one new job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The Strategic Projects category is the best choice if:
Your company is interested in setting up a ON-based operation (such as a branch office or subsidiary) anywhere in the province.
Your company intends to make an equity investment of at least $500,000 in the business.
You would like to propose up to five key staff members on the application and you can commit to create at least three new jobs for each key staff member.
The Regional Business Succession Option is a good choice if you intend to purchase and manage an existing ON. business. This option applies to all business immigration categories where the business is located outside of the GTA Toronto and out of the metropolitan areas. This category offers priority processing and includes reduced job creation requirements.

Farming Businesses Only
Applications proposing agricultural activities must include a feasibility assessment of the proposed business prepared by a consultant from the List of Eligible Consultants approved by the Ministry of Agriculture under its ON Farm Business Advisory Services Program.

Read more about the criteria required to apply under these categories.

You may wish to explore other options for immigrating to Canada. Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website to read about federal business immigration options.

• How do I apply for a job?
• What kind of CV do I need?
• What will the interview process be like?
• Will my qualifications be recognised?
• Do I still need to pay Canada tax and National Insurance?
• What are the next steps?
• Our Services

CVs in Canada are similar to those used in the UK (see applications, CVs and interviews for ideas ), but you will not need to include your marital status in your personal details. Check our Resume & Writing services

Finding a job

Internet: Over the last decade the online job market has exploded into the mainstream and in the  Canada it is now the most popular way to apply for work, especially among younger people and graduates. Online recruitment websites allow you to search according to your criteria, such as sector, salary and region. You can also post your CV on websites so that companies looking for specific skills can find you.

Newspapers & Magazines: Broadsheets such as Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, Toronto Sun, etc all have job offers, mainly for executives and professionals, as well as sections dedicated to specific professions, i.e. teaching, computers, media. In Ontario, check out the Toronto Sun (mainly for business and secretarial positions), Metro and  www.poss.ca  for lower level jobs.

Recruitment agencies: Most agencies specialize in a particular field such as computers, nursing, secretarial work, accounting, catering, construction, and so on. There are also “Head hunting” agencies which are hired by big companies to recruit executives, managers or professionals. Others deal solely with temporary staff (temps), and can find you work in an office or as a babysitter, cook, gardener, security guard or any other type of job. To find an agency you can either look in the “employment agencies” section of the yellow pages or go to xxxx  for a list of agencies and their specialist fields.

Career fairs: A good place to get started is to visit a career fair. Fairs usually have a range of employers and concentrate on a specific sector. Usually you apply by sending in your CV and employers decide who they want to meet in advance. As well as getting general information on employment perspectives in different companies, it is often possible to arrange interviews.

Speculative applications: If a specific company is of interest you can send a speculative application. Applications are retained and checked against positions as they become available in some companies.

Chambers of Commerce: Contact the local chamber of commerce of your home country in the  Canada, as they are often asked for candidates and sometimes have a database of open job positions. Often a chamber of commerce will have a list of companies from your home country doing business in the  Canada, which can make good targets for speculative applications.

Jobcentres: They can be found in every town and focus mainly in jobs for the non-professional. They usually have databases of local, national and European vacancies and know about local employers and their needs. Their advisers can help you with all aspects of finding work. They normally have newspapers, books, leaflets and Internet access to support you in your job search

Networking: Sometimes getting a job is about knowing the right people or being in the right place at the right time. You could join an expats club or attend social gatherings where you think you could meet people that are well connected. Just mingle as much as you can and make sure you let everybody know you are looking for employment.

For up-to-date tips on CVs, job applications and interviews, visit our link on foreign national employment, You may also find useful information on your  Canada job search on our link  for  foreign national recruiters and international HR professionals profiles.

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Career Development Workshops:

1. Resume Writing
2. Interviewing
3. Negotiating
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5. Career Information Sessions
6. Additional resources and workshops are available to meet individual needs as necessary.
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There’s few things that you should have with you most of the time:

• – Passport – They will ask you for it when you will try to open a Bank account and at any recruitment agency, and when you will want to rent a room/ apartment,
• – Driving License – If you have one, maybe you don’t realize, but if you come from any US or any country that is a member of European Union your driving license is valid in  Canada, and for about $$+ you can exchange your driving license to a  Canada one – really useful in getting a job,
• – Social Insurance or SIN Card – When you first arrive to  Canada you won’t have Canadian SIN, but once you get it, memorize or carry the card with you at all times,
• –RESUME or  CV – Essential for getting a better job then manual one, and in some agencies they will ask for a CV whether you look for an office work or for a manual one. Get one great services here

Recruitment Agencies and such

Not many people realize that  Canada is a great place to find a job! It really is. You have not only Recruitment Agencies, but also government-sponsored companies that will help you with your CV (I’ll provide a good CV example in other article), with confidence during an interview, and that will advice you where to look for a job suitable for you.

Unemployment in  Canada exist only because of  some English teenagers who are too lazy to work and rather have two kids and live with parents and claim welfare or social assistance  then study or get a better job. I see it every day, 15 year old girls with a child or two and a young dude who isn’t even sure if it’s his kid. (Sorry for off topic)

As soon as you get to the place in  Canada where you would like to live sign up in every recruitment agency and remember that keeping good relationships with people who work there is essential for getting a job, because only from those people it depends whether they get you a job or no.

Call them often!

When you work for a Temp Agency, then sometimes they will have nothing for you, that’s why it’s best to sign up to few of them. But when you are without a job call them, once a day, just asking if there is ANYTHING you could do, they won’t mind, they are used to it, so you better get used to it too.

Of course, there are downsides of getting a job through Recruitment Agency. An agency earns money each hour that you work. They “sell” your work to a company that they cooperate with, so that company, pays let’s say 11$ per hour of your work, but you get only 9$, the  2$left goes to recruitment agency. It’s a good place to find first job, just to make some money for living, so you don’t die of hunger, but in a bigger perspective it’s best to find a job through Job Centre or Friday-Ad or any newspaper that posts job offers.

Keep improving!

In your town, even if it’s small, there has to be a library, there usually you will be able to find out about free courses. Maybe there’s Learn4Life, maybe something else, but there has to be something that will provide you with free improving your skills.
It’s very important to show your employer that your skills and personal development are essential for you and that you are willing to invest energy to learn new stuff.

Most people come to  Canada with some education and some skills and just stay same, get any job and generally stop improving. The key to a real success is to keep improving, learning new stuff, not to be stagnant.

More on this topic in few days when I gather more info and get used to my new job.

If you have an offer of temporary employment, you may be entitled to a Canada Temporary Work Permit. With a Work Permit, you could be in Canada in a matter of weeks to months. A work permit lets you work in Canada temporarily. Many foreign skilled workers who come to Canada on Work Permits can eventually qualify for fast-track Canadian Immigration (Permanent Residency) through one of the Provincial Nomination Programs, the Canadian Experience Class, or Arranged Employment.

Before we get into how you could go about doing that let’s turn the tables around and look at this from the perspective of the
owner of a Canadian company.

One day he gets a resume and cover letter in the mail applying for a position available at the company. The cover letter further
goes on to state that the applicant isn’t currently living in Canada but is planning to apply for immigration shortly and would
like a job offer from the company.

Now picture yourself as the owner of the company. You’re thinking great…. I’m going to offer this person a job even though I don’t know when they’re going to apply for Canadian immigration. If they actually do apply for immigration to Canada, I’m not the slightest bit sure that they’re even going to be here by the end of this year or the next, if they make it at all.

You are basically expecting a person to choose an uncertain, undecided potential worker over the hundreds of applicants he has
to choose from locally.

I’m sure you’d agree that going about looking for a job in Canada before you even immigrate is futile and a waste of time.

UNLESS….

One of the exceptions to this rule would be if you had a PhD or other invaluable experience in a very specialized field, and that
because of the extremely specialized nature of your work, local Canadian talent would be hard to come by. In cases such as these, get in touch with us and we should be able to expedite the entire immigration process for you with our legal referrals. link

So what does one do? I  tell you it’s either Action or Nothing.

Action

1. Be an Entreprenuer

2. Go for post secondary program for 2 yrs and you will have 3 yrs of work permit issue thereafter. During study you can work part time. ( Brandon University in Manitoba is the cheapest one to study)

3. Perhaps you need to get inside information of employers applying for pre-approval of hiring foreign skilled workers or
those employers applying for LMO to service Canada.Immigration consultant handling this type of employers application for pre- approval & LMO and placement companies involved thereafter hiring of foreign skilled workers( with pre-approval or LMO for employers) can get you good lead.This could be either for work permit for fix period or permanent job with AEO.ON,BC, NB, Nova scotia and Quebec itself are a tough provinces to get in, and its employers do not issue AEOs easily. However, I suggest you try and go for SK and MB. They are growing, a lot of new jobs in different fields are created there, and job offers along with PNP
certificates are issued pretty easily. Also look out for Canada recruitment fairs in Europe. You have to register in advance, they
are normally held in May-June and in November.

Follow this link, Destination Canada  Also please check http://www.manitoba.ca and http://www.immigration.gov.sk.ca
Do Nothing

Well, not absolutely nothing.

If….. as is the case with most skilled workers, you want to find a job before landing in Canada and you cannot find a job before
starting the process, then you can still act to mitigate as much risk as possible, by applying for jobs much later in the process.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do some research about the economic atmosphere in Canada, and about the industry that you
work in right now of course.

Start the immigration process first and then apply for a job when the immigration process is close to complete. We will tell you
that there should now only be 2 to 3 months or more before your permanent resident visa’s are issued and it should be at this time that you start to look for a job in Canada.

Why don’t you take your first step now by getting a Canadian style resume?

Once you’ve done that, take a look at this page, which will give you a brief overview of Ontario’s economy.

NOTE: that our partner law firm does not assist in finding job
offers, they assist with the process of obtaining a work permit
for those who already have an existing job offer.

Dos and Don’ts

It is never easy searching for a job from overseas. Here is a summary of the do’s and don’t for overseas jobseekers in the Canadian employment market place.

Do

Look for work diligently. You’ll find a job faster that way.
Focus on finding casual employment instead of seeking the “perfect job”.
If you are seeking a professional position related to your career goals, be prepared to spend more time job searching.
Look for work just before or during peak tourism periods (winter months for ski resorts / summer months for lake resorts).
Ensure you have enough money to support yourself for at least two months in case you don’t find something right away.
Know your rights as a worker in Canada.

Do have a good command of the English language (or French in Quebec) and being well presented goes a long way

Do visit the various Canadian job websites BEFORE deciding to emigrate to familiarise yourself with the job opportunities in your field.
Do apply for your permanent residence visas. Very important. Prospective employers will ask about your immigration status and having your residence visas (or at least being in the application process) is a prerequisite for most Canadian job vacancies.
Do start applying for advertised job vacancies from OVERSEAS, but only 1 to 12 weeks before a possible start date or a visit to Canada.
Do send a “cold” letter of application and CV to EVERY potential employer and recruitment agent in the region of Canada you intend settling in to let them know that you are available. Use LinkedIn,  www.canpages.ca, www.scottsinfo.com/ or the http://www.canadianbusinessdirectory.ca  to locate certain or indepth details.
Do prepare your CV in the Canadian style and write a short but clear covering letter confirming that you have been granted permanent residence visas (or that you have been assessed as eligible and are in the visa application process).  If  you don’t then hire a professional to do for you.  Get your Canadian Syle Resume
Do provide a Canadian postal address and Canadian mobile/email address in your CV where possible.  ( ask for this service)
Do visit Canada or arrive permanently (once your visas have been approved) to attend job interviews, as very few employers will engage candidates on a “sight unseen” basis.
Do make a positive impression in the interview, be flexible and have copies of your residence visas and references available
for employers to sight.
Don’t

Don’t apply for job vacancies OR visit Canada for job interviews more than 1 – 12 weeks away from a possible start date.Employers will not be interested.
Don’t expect everything to work like home. Be flexible and willing to fit in with local ways of doing things.
Don’t expect a job at the same level or higher than you had overseas. You may lack Canadian local knowledge and may need to take a step back in order to advance later. Wait one year.
Don’t expect the same salary or more than you had overseas. The cost of living and income tax rates are lower in Canada than many other western developed nations, so look at your NET INCOME not the gross amount.
Don’t expect a job offer in the first week. On average, it can take local Canadians 1 – 8 weeks to find a new job.
Don’t “over negotiate” the contract with your first employer. Be flexible and understand that employment law and contract terms may be different in Canada.

Here are just a few other typical suggestions for finding employment in Canada:

Walk-In Method: If you think you would enjoy working at a particular workplace, ask to speak to the manager about opportunities. This method works best if you concentrate your efforts on retail businesses and restaurants located on busy streets or in shopping malls.

Employment Agencies: Typically listed in the phone book under “Employment Agencies”, these are a good option for participants skilled in office-related tasks (e.g. using spreadsheet or slide presentation software) for short-term temporary help to fill vacancies in businesses where permanent staff are ill or on holiday. Agencies are responsible for all aspects of your employment including pay cheques and appropriate tax deductions.

Networking: Since many jobs aren’t publicly posted, ask people that you know or meet about possible job positions or referrals that they might have.

Classified Ads: Most local newspapers have an employment section in their classified ads.

Internet: The following websites provide general employment-related assistance, including job boards. Companies that hire in Canada.

Finding work in Canada can be one of the fastest ways to begin your life in Canada.

Your Work in Canada Options

It all starts with a job offer from a Canadian employer.
With a full-time permanent job offer, you may qualify for Arranged Employment under the Federal Skilled Worker program or for a Skilled Worker category of one of the Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP). Both of these options will entitle you to fast-track Canadian Immigration (Permanent Residency).

If you want to stay in Canada permanently, you must qualify under one of the permanent resident categories, such as the skilled worker category. Information about coming to Canada as a skilled worker can be found in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

A work permit for Canada can only be obtained if you have an offer of employment before applying for your Canadian work visa. Canada seeks to attract temporary skilled workers to fill positions that Canadian employers are currently having difficulty to fill by a Canadian Permanent Resident or Citizen.

A Canadian work permit is issued on a temporary basis only and on the condition that you work for the specific employer sponsoring you. You can apply to change your Canada immigration status once in Canada, however the Canada work visa is not transferable and you will not be able to stay and work in Canada on your Canadian Visa upon termination of your employment.

Your employer must take the following steps before applying for a Canadian Work Visa:

1) Your employer must first confirm your position is suitable to apply for a Canadian Work Permit by making an application to Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC)

2) Your employer must then offer you the confirmed position

3)Your employer must then make an application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a Work Permit for Canada.

Please be aware that not all employment offers will be considered and HRDC’s role is to confirm that your position will be of benefit to the Canadian Labour Market and of no threat to Canadian citizens employment opportunities before an application for a Canada Work Permit can be considered.

In summary, employers that need to address skill shortages in Canada may seek to employ a foreign national by sponsoring a Canadian Visa.

If you have an offer of employment from a Canadian employer, you may be eligible to apply for a Work Permit. Please feel free to contact us for further information.

As you may be aware, some employers find themselves in a catch 22 situation with the work permit process in which case you may like to consider the Federal Canada Skilled Worker Visa. This visa enables you to gain Permanent Resident status, in which you are entitled to live and work in Canada without the need of an employment offer.  Continue to part II here

Help finding work in Canada.

Do you need help finding work in Canada?

Foreign Credential Assessment:  Do you need to have your foreign credentials assessed?

Canada has been one of the best countries where foreign nationals love to seek greener pasture plus citizens of Canada love foreign nationals too. Many find it easier to get working visas in Canada than getting one from other countries like the US, Australia, UK, Japan and other rich countries. Why is that? Simply because in Canada,  Canada is a well disciplined country. It loves its immigrant workers as much as it loves its citizens.

OFW Jobs Hiring in Canada 2014

Usual jobs for foreign nationals in Canada are in the following area:

Nursing – Foreign nationals nurses are everywhere in Canada, if you’re RN you’d definitely get a job here
Caregiver jobs – lots of foreign nationals find caregiving jobs via direct hiring too as long as they have their credentials validate for Hotel and restaurant jobs or else, check here, others – such as housekeeping staff, bartenders, waiter or waitresses, fast food crew, restaurant managers, cashiers and the like not mandatory.

• Teaching
• Construction
• Engineering
• Accounting – CPAs, auditors
• Information Technology
• Architecture

How to get a job in Canada easily and successfully?

One of the great tips to get a job in Canada for foreign nationals via direct hiring is to choose the jobs classified under the skilled and low-skilled jobs. Why? Because these jobs are usually hiring and have the most available vacancies. Canada hires foreign workers if and only if they find no citizens in Canada to fill those jobs. If you heard of LMO (Labor Market Opinion) – that’s one of the requirements before an employer can hire foreign workers there. No wonder why many professional workers in the Philippines such as doctors and others leave their jobs here and apply for positions related to their career and experience. Anyway, higher salaries and compensation awaits anyone who will work abroad like Canada. There are also professional positions hiring like CPA, teachers etc although majority of Filipinos apply for the skilled and Canada jobs with LMO.
Online employer

First thing you would do is find an employer in Canada. Some employers post their jobs vacancies online. Remember to apply only to trusted job websites like the following listed below.

http://www.jobbank.gc.ca
http://www.workopolis.com
http://www.monster.ca

Employer agents/ Job fairs in your country for Direct Hiring

If you have a friend or relative in Canada, they could refer you for employers provided you are qualified for the position they are hiring. The more you find employers, the more chance you got of getting hired.

You can also apply to some people who conduct direct hiring in your country or else. These people usually schedule some orientations about their job offers in Canada. These agents are affiliated with Canadian employers who directly hire OFWs. They do the same steps as local agencies do to their applicants. The good thing about them is there’s not much competition from the number of applicants than to other agencies. They will also assist you in processing your documents for the application at the Canadian embassy.

LMO and Employment Permits Processing in Canada

Once you found an employer, good thing for you because they will process the LMO and some documents needed for your employment in Canada. If your papers are ready, you can then apply for your working visa at the Canadian Embassy of  your choice. See the requirements for working visa application in Canada for foreign nationals. You may also need your SSS Employee Static Information as supporting document for your visa approval.

Visa Application at Canadian Global Embassies 

Good thing about applying for a visa and work permit in Canada is that you may not need a personal interview at the embassy if your papers are all complete and consistent, your visa will be delivered to you so soon. You can apply online or via Call Center. Make sure you personally prepared all your papers and documents for the complete requirements before processing them for application online or call center. You may need to attend an interview if the consul contacted you for one. If they didn’t, then you’re lucky. The Canadian Embassies address are listed below.

Link to Embassies

POEA Registration as Name Hire

After you had your visa approved, you will then have to register yourself at the POEA for Name Hire / Direct Hire to be an official OFW. You will have PDOS (Pre-departure Orientation Seminar) and process your  paperwork too. Once you’re done, they will give you your Exit Clearance which you will use at your departure at the airport when you leave  your country and fly to Canada.

Take note that POEA Name Hire has a Direct Hiring limit policy of 10 for every employer.

Now that you know the tips and the procedure for direct hiring in Canada, are you ready to apply? Gather your guts and make your dreams come true.  Get your LinkedIn profile rewrite and find an employer now and let that passport have visa stamped

Let’s hear your thoughts. Post your messages at the comment box below. Good luck!