₦airaland Forum

MimithankGod:
Hi everyone Good morning
Please I have a question.
Is it possible to use my own registered business to claim work experience for Express Entry? I was actively running my business online while I was still in university, and I have about one year of post-graduation work experience. I’m trying to increase my CRS score, so I was wondering if I can use my business experience to claim an additional two years of work experience.
I spoke to an travel agency, and they told me that self employed work experience cannot be used. I’m a bit confused because I’ve seen different opinions online.

You intend to claim full-time work experience while you were enrolled in the University probably full-time simply by having a "registered business"? that'd be fun to watch, Goodluck with that.


If you like take the ChatGPT answer from the agent with vested interests below he's just trying to make a buck or 150,000 as the case may be, you'd only have yourself to blame. The evidentiary record required for NOC 60020 (Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers) requires Third party letters, invoices, audits, business address,bank activity showing consistent deposits and finally *Corporate Tax Records* . Even if it is for highly skilled services like freelance software engineer, data analyst you need your portfolio, website, GitHub , completed projects and exhaustive taxed financial proof

When you get hit with the eventual PFL for this histrionics all in the name of trying to max out CRS scores, it tends to elicit regret.

You can claim whatever to claim whatever to gain points but remember you eventually have to provide exhaustive proof. They are highly skeptical of Nigerian documents, the starting point is to consider them fake. Use your tongue to count your teeth

https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/country-information/rir/Pages/index.aspx?doc=457580

Hello guys,

There was a French draw today and the cut off was 420 while I have 507.

I have not recieved any email, and I have logged into my account and still can't find any ITA.

Please what could possibly be the problem?

Wait for 24hrs

1soul:
Hello guys,

There was a French draw today and the cut off was 420 while I have 507.

I have not reviewed any email, and I have logged into my account and still can't find any ITA.

Please what could possibly be the problem?

Ahialolo:
Wait for 24hrs

Okay

Thank you. I was genuinely worried o

MimithankGod:
Hi everyone Good morning
Please I have a question.
Is it possible to use my own registered business to claim work experience for Express Entry? I was actively running my business online while I was still in university, and I have about one year of post-graduation work experience. I’m trying to increase my CRS score, so I was wondering if I can use my business experience to claim an additional two years of work experience.
I spoke to an travel agency, and they told me that self employed work experience cannot be used. I’m a bit confused because I’ve seen different opinions online.

The travel agency is only partly correct.

The answer depends on where the self-employed work experience was gained and which immigration program you're applying under.

If your business was registered and operated in Nigeria, that experience can count as foreign skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and may contribute to your CRS score, provided it meets IRCC's requirements.

Since you mentioned running the business while you were still in university, it's worth clearing up another common misconception.

Work experience gained while studying "outside Canada" can still be claimed for CRS points, provided it was paid, met the required work hours (generally at least 15 hours per week), and qualifies as skilled work.

This is different from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), where work experience gained while studying "in Canada" generally does not count toward CEC eligibility.

However, simply owning a registered business isn't enough. You must be able to prove that you genuinely operated the business and performed skilled work.

IRCC may ask for evidence such as:

* Business registration documents.
* Tax records or bank statements showing business income.
* Invoices, contracts, or payment records.
* Reference letters from clients describing the services you provided.
* Evidence that your duties align with a skilled NOC (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).

Another important point is that, under the current rules for category-based selection (such as Healthcare, STEM, or Trades), applicants generally need to demonstrate at least 12 months of continuous full-time skilled work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work) within the previous three years to qualify for those specific draws.

So, if your business was in Nigeria, the work was genuine, paid, properly documented, and aligns with a skilled NOC, you may be able to claim it.

The key question isn't whether you were self-employed, it's whether you can provide sufficient evidence that the experience meets IRCC's requirements.

If you don't mind sharing the nature of your business and the services you provided, I can help you determine whether it is likely to qualify as skilled work under the NOC system.

Thank you so much for your response
Yes, I have every single document to back it up the CAC registration, tax records, and client records. I'm also hoping to get reference letters from my clients, suppliers, and every business partner I've worked with.
My business is in skincare and self-care products, sold online, and it was run entirely in Nigeria.
I started running it informally around 2020, but it was officially registered in 2024, so I'm hoping I can at least use the 2024 registration date going forward. My goal is to claim this experience under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
As for my role, I handle sourcing the products, market research, customer complaints, delivery, and posting/managing the social media basically all the core activities of running the business.

relocationhub:
The travel agency is only partly correct.

The answer depends on where the self-employed work experience was gained and which immigration program you're applying under.

If your business was registered and operated in Nigeria, that experience can count as foreign skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and may contribute to your CRS score, provided it meets IRCC's requirements.

Since you mentioned running the business while you were still in university, it's worth clearing up another common misconception.

Work experience gained while studying "outside Canada" can still be claimed for CRS points, provided it was paid, met the required work hours (generally at least 15 hours per week), and qualifies as skilled work.

This is different from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), where work experience gained while studying "in Canada" generally does not count toward CEC eligibility.

However, simply owning a registered business isn't enough. You must be able to prove that you genuinely operated the business and performed skilled work.

IRCC may ask for evidence such as:

* Business registration documents.
* Tax records or bank statements showing business income.
* Invoices, contracts, or payment records.
* Reference letters from clients describing the services you provided.
* Evidence that your duties align with a skilled NOC (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).

Another important point is that, under the current rules for category-based selection (such as Healthcare, STEM, or Trades), applicants generally need to demonstrate at least 12 months of continuous full-time skilled work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work) within the previous three years to qualify for those specific draws.

So, if your business was in Nigeria, the work was genuine, paid, properly documented, and aligns with a skilled NOC, you may be able to claim it.

The key question isn't whether you were self-employed, it's whether you can provide sufficient evidence that the experience meets IRCC's requirements.

If you don't mind sharing the nature of your business and the services you provided, I can help you determine whether it is likely to qualify as skilled work under the NOC system.

Thank you for your response🙏🏼

Just to clarify this, I'm not just claiming this business to pad my CRS score. I actually ran it. If it's about proving that, I have plenty of documents: CAC registration, tax documents, bank statements showing customer transactions, an official business account, delivery receipts, supplier receipts, and I'm also hoping to get reference letters from clients, shipping/logistics company, and suppliers.
The one thing I'm genuinely trying to figure out is whether I can claim this as full-time work experience while I was still studying that's really my main question.

Ghaliz:
You intend to claim full-time work experience while you were enrolled in the University probably full-time simply by having a "registered business"? that'd be fun to watch, Goodluck with that.


If you like take the ChatGPT answer from the agent with vested interests below he's just trying to make a buck or 150,000 as the case may be, you'd only have yourself to blame. The evidentiary record required for NOC 60020 (Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers) requires Third party letters, invoices, audits, business address,bank activity showing consistent deposits and finally *Corporate Tax Records* . Even if it is for highly skilled services like freelance software engineer, data analyst you need your portfolio, website, GitHub , completed projects and exhaustive taxed financial proof

When you get hit with the eventual PFL for this histrionics all in the name of trying to max out CRS scores, it tends to elicit regret.

You can claim whatever to claim whatever to gain points but remember you eventually have to provide exhaustive proof. They are highly skeptical of Nigerian documents, the starting point is to consider them fake. Use your tongue to count your teeth

https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/country-information/rir/Pages/index.aspx?doc=457580

Hello guys,

Please I need advice.

My ex wife has refused me access to my two daughters to have them do medicals so that I can be able to sponsor them anytime in the future. I want to add them to my application as non accompanying but her refusal to cooperae is giving me sleepless nights.

Not declaring them can amount to misrepresentation.

My 60 days is already reading and my current wife is really tensed for fesrnof this affecting oit application.

Please what do I do in this instance?

Has anyone encountered this before?

1soul:
Hello guys,

Please I need advice.

My ex wife has refused me access to my two daughters to have them do medicals so that I can be able to sponsor them anytime in the future. I want to add them to my application as non accompanying but her refusal to cooperae is giving me sleepless nights.

Not declaring them can amount to misrepresentation.

My 60 days is already reading and my current wife is really tensed for fesrnof this affecting oit application.

Please what do I do in this instance?

Has anyone encountered this before?

Resolve this with your family member and your wife's family member.

Ontarioo:
Resolve this with your family member and your wife's family member.

I have involved her family members but it is still proving abortive.

MimithankGod:
Thank you for your response🙏🏼

Just to clarify this, I'm not just claiming this business to pad my CRS score. I actually ran it. If it's about proving that, I have plenty of documents: CAC registration, tax documents, bank statements showing customer transactions, an official business account, delivery receipts, supplier receipts, and I'm also hoping to get reference letters from clients, shipping/logistics company, and suppliers.
The one thing I'm genuinely trying to figure out is whether I can claim this as full-time work experience while I was still studying that's really my main question.

Thanks for clarifying, it is theoretically possible to do this but in practice it is usually unwieldy and should be backed by a LoE.

If you're not on Reddit join the r/canadaexpressentry and r/Canada immigration. Claiming to study full-time while working full-time attracts a high degree of scrutiny and the attendant ADR&PFL but if all your documents are in order not only payments to your bank accounts but payments to yourself, audits, taxes and all. Congratulations you've kept a perfect book perhaps more than 90% of Nigeria small business owners in which case there's absolutely nothing stopping you.

On a totally unrelated note, they verify this tax documents extensively and if you pay back taxes not on time but paid as some sort of remediation, you should absolutely make sure your paper trail is intact and again a LoE. Goodluck

1soul:
Hello guys,

Please I need advice.

My ex wife has refused me access to my two daughters to have them do medicals so that I can be able to sponsor them anytime in the future. I want to add them to my application as non accompanying but her refusal to cooperae is giving me sleepless nights.

Not declaring them can amount to misrepresentation.

My 60 days is already reading and my current wife is really tensed for fesrnof this affecting oit application.

Please what do I do in this instance?

Has anyone encountered this before?

Yes. I'm sensing that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, your next step depends on the resolution of the marriage.

On your decree Nisi, did the court grant your wife sole custody of your kids? if they did you have no legal recourse. if your ex-wife only has primary custody then you're entitled to your private, unsupervised time with your kids.

You must get a lawyer, get the lawyer to rush through a fundamental right enforcement suit, it'd cost you a pretty penny this being Nigeria and all, you can get a judge to rule on it. They are your kids, you're not taking them away from their primary caregiver you simply want to secure their future.

The simpler way is to try the elders in your family, if all of this fails retain every record of your attempt to contact your wife and her intransigence, all backed up with a LoE. You should be fine.

Denying your kids a future because you detest the other parent would never not be wild to me. Goodluck.

Ghaliz:
Yes. I'm sensing that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, your next step depends on the resolution of the marriage.

On your decree Nisi, did the court grant your wife sole custody of your kids? if they did you have no legal recourse. if your ex-wife only has primary custody then you're entitled to your private, unsupervised time with your kids.

You must get a lawyer, get the lawyer to rush through a fundamental right enforcement suit, it'd cost you a pretty penny this being Nigeria and all, you can get a judge to rule on it. They are your kids, you're not taking them away from their primary caregiver you simply want to secure their future.

The simpler way is to try the elders in your family, if all of this fails retain every record of your attempt to contact your wife and her intransigence, all backed up with a LoE. You should be fine.

Denying your kids a future because you detest the other parent would never not be wild to me. Goodluck.

There was no court marriage between my ex and I.

I remarried and my new wife is part of my application.

I want to still try if I can get their medicals but my 60 days is already running.

My ex is seriously frustrating my effort.

Oga move on !!! keep your evidence how you tried include them for future purposes. When they grow she would explain to them why she choose to prevent them. Secure yours first before you loose everything chasing wind

1soul:
There was no court marriage between my ex and I.

I remarried and my new wife is part of my application.

I want to still try if I can get their medicals but my 60 days is already running.

My ex is seriously frustrating my effort.

1soul:
There was no court marriage between my ex and I.

I remarried and my new wife is part of my application.

I want to still try if I can get their medicals but my 60 days is already running.

My ex is seriously frustrating my effort.

Even in cases of traditional marriage, a customary court still has jurisdiction and a magistrate can still compel her to appear.

If everything fails, you can file a legal complaint, add evidence of your correspondence, swear an affidavit you've tried to reach your wife to make your children available to no avail, upload this in lieu of their medical report along with a letter of explanation.

This isn't as rare as you think, it is a real tragedy when a marriage break down and the children have to navigate the landmines. Goodluck man...

MimithankGod:
Thank you so much for your response
Yes, I have every single document to back it up the CAC registration, tax records, and client records. I'm also hoping to get reference letters from my clients, suppliers, and every business partner I've worked with.
My business is in skincare and self-care products, sold online, and it was run entirely in Nigeria.
I started running it informally around 2020, but it was officially registered in 2024, so I'm hoping I can at least use the 2024 registration date going forward. My goal is to claim this experience under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
As for my role, I handle sourcing the products, market research, customer complaints, delivery, and posting/managing the social media basically all the core activities of running the business.

Thank you for providing more details.

From what you've shared, your case sounds much stronger than someone who simply says, "I ran a business."

The fact that you have:

* CAC registration
* Tax records
* Client records
* Business transactions
* Plans to obtain reference letters

means you already have several of the documents IRCC typically expects when assessing self-employed foreign work experience.

One point I'd encourage you to look into carefully is the timeline.

You mentioned operating informally from 2020 but officially registering the business in 2024.

The 2024 registration certainly strengthens your evidence because it establishes the business as a legally recognized entity. However, that doesn't automatically mean your pre-2024 experience cannot be considered. If you have credible evidence showing you were genuinely operating the business before registration, such as invoices, payment records, bank statements, supplier communications, contracts, or other third-party documentation-it may still be relevant.

The key is whether you can substantiate the experience.

The next thing to consider is your NOC.

IRCC doesn't assess your application based on the fact that you owned a skincare business. They assess whether your main duties match those of a skilled occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

From your description, your responsibilities included:

* Product sourcing
* Market research
* Customer relationship management
* Business operations
* Sales and marketing
* Social media management

The challenge is identifying which skilled NOC best reflects the duties you performed for most of your working time. That is often more important than the name of the business itself.

Also, make sure your reference letters do more than confirm you owned a business. They should describe:

* The services you provided.
* Your main duties.
* The period you worked.
* Whether the work was paid.
* The approximate hours worked.
* The relationship between the referee and your business.

Overall, based on the information you've shared, I wouldn't dismiss your self-employed experience simply because it was a business in Nigeria. The stronger your third-party evidence and the better your duties align with an appropriate skilled NOC, the stronger your position will be under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

I wish you the very best with your application.

1soul:
There was no court marriage between my ex and I.

I remarried and my new wife is part of my application.

I want to still try if I can get their medicals but my 60 days is already running.

My ex is seriously frustrating my effort.

Sorry you're going through this. Unfortunately, you're not the first person to face this situation.

The most important thing is don't leave your daughters out of the application simply because your ex is refusing to cooperate. If they are your biological children, they should still be declared as non-accompanying dependants.

From what you've described, your immediate priority should be to show IRCC that you've made genuine efforts to have the medical examinations completed.

That means keeping evidence such as:

* Text messages or emails requesting the medicals.
* Any replies showing your ex refused or ignored your request.
* Birth certificates showing you're the father.
* Any custody or family-related documents you have (if available).

Since your 60-day deadline is already running, don't wait until the last minute hoping she'll change her mind. Include a detailed Letter of Explanation (LOE) explaining the situation, the attempts you've made, and attach all supporting evidence.

One point I'd also suggest is sending one final written request for the medicals, if you haven't already. Keep the message polite and factual. Whether she responds or not, it becomes additional evidence that you made reasonable efforts.

Regarding the fact that there was no court marriage, that doesn't remove your obligation to declare your biological children. IRCC is concerned with your family relationships, not whether the previous relationship was formalized by a court marriage.

Finally, because this issue can affect both your current application and your ability to sponsor your daughters in the future, it's worth getting professional immigration advice if you can. Every case is fact-specific, and the outcome often depends on the evidence provided.

I hope your ex reconsiders, but even if she doesn't, make sure your application clearly shows that you acted in good faith and did everything reasonably possible within the time available.

Hello House,
I am 33 years old and I did NPower(N Teach) from January 2017 to December 2019.
I was receiving the 30,000 monthly stipend and I have bank statement to prove payment, since Npower is a volunteer work and 2019 is a long time will it count.

My question is can I use this N power work experience to apply for Canada Express Entry under federal skilled worker? The duties I did were prepare lesson notes, teach and Mark scripts.
Has anyone successfully used npower to claim foreign work experience points for Express Entry?
What documents did IRCC ask for?

Thanks in advance.

Hello House,
I am 33 years old and I did NPower(N Teach) from January 2017 to December 2019.
I was receiving the 30,000 monthly stipend and I have bank statement to prove payment, since Npower is a volunteer work and 2019 is a long time will it count.

My question is can I use this N power work experience to apply for Canada Express Entry under federal skilled worker? The duties I did were prepare lesson notes, teach and Mark scripts.
Has anyone successfully used npower to claim foreign work experience points for Express Entry?
What documents did IRCC ask for?

Thanks in advance.

Thank you so much for your response I really appreciate🙏🏼

Ghaliz:
Thanks for clarifying, it is theoretically possible to do this but in practice it is usually unwieldy and should be backed by a LoE.

If you're not on Reddit join the r/canadaexpressentry and r/Canada immigration. Claiming to study full-time while working full-time attracts a high degree of scrutiny and the attendant ADR&PFL but if all your documents are in order not only payments to your bank accounts but payments to yourself, audits, taxes and all. Congratulations you've kept a perfect book perhaps more than 90% of Nigeria small business owners in which case there's absolutely nothing stopping you.

On a totally unrelated note, they verify this tax documents extensively and if you pay back taxes not on time but paid as some sort of remediation, you should absolutely make sure your paper trail is intact and again a LoE. Goodluck

Good evening all

Please can I want to ask if there’s anyone who has used providus bank statement as proof of funds?

As it’s a commercial bank I just want to know if it can be used

PrettyRX:
Oga move on !!! keep your evidence how you tried include them for future purposes. When they grow she would explain to them why she choose to prevent them. Secure yours first before you loose everything chasing wind

Please I sent you a personal mail. I want to discuss something important with you

Hello
Please can you guide me on how to be qualified for the trade draw, particularly plumbing.

For someone with law background, how can you qualify for either health draw or education draw? Because there's no such thing as ITA for lawyers. I've been trying to learn French to enable me take the TCF exam but it isn't been easy. So I'm trying to explore other options if any.

If I get a job in a nursery school, after 12months, will it be enough??
Or if I'm able to prove that I've worked in a hospital for a period of 12months, will it be enough?

Please house, is upfront medical still required or can I wait until after submission. So I can do medical and biometrics together

Unfortunately I don't respond to emails, kindly share here or an abandoned old thread

1soul:
Please I sent you a personal mail. I want to discuss something important with you

IAmRuby:
For someone with law background, how can you qualify for either health draw or education draw? Because there's no such thing as ITA for lawyers. I've been trying to learn French to enable me take the TCF exam but it isn't been easy. So I'm trying to explore other options if any.

If I get a job in a nursery school, after 12months, will it be enough??
Or if I'm able to prove that I've worked in a hospital for a period of 12months, will it be enough?

From my understanding of the current Express Entry rules, simply working in a nursery school or hospital for 12 months is not enough. What matters is the role you perform, not just the workplace.

For example, if you work in a nursery school as an Early Childhood Educator or Assistant (NOC 42202) or as a Teacher Assistant (NOC 43100), and you accumulate at least 12 months of qualifying work experience, you may become eligible for the Education category.

Similarly, working in a hospital doesn't automatically qualify you for the Healthcare category. Your job must fall under one of the eligible healthcare occupations. For instance, if you're employed as a Nurse Aide, Orderly or Patient Service Associate (NOC 33102) and you have at least 12 months of qualifying experience within the required period, that experience may make you eligible for Healthcare category-based draws.

Since you have a law background, another option worth exploring is the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Some provinces periodically target occupations based on their labour-market needs, so you may not necessarily need to change careers if a provincial pathway aligns with your profile.

As for French, I understand your frustration. It's still one of the strongest ways to improve your chances, but if it's proving difficult, it's reasonable to explore other pathways at the same time rather than relying on a single strategy.

If you're considering changing careers, I'd advise deciding which occupation you want to pursue first, then confirm that it's one of IRCC's eligible occupations before investing a year of work experience in it. That can save you from spending 12 months in a role that doesn't actually qualify for the category you're targeting.

Thank you so much for your response I really appreciate🙏🏼

relocationhub:
Thank you for providing more details.

From what you've shared, your case sounds much stronger than someone who simply says, "I ran a business."

The fact that you have:

* CAC registration
* Tax records
* Client records
* Business transactions
* Plans to obtain reference letters

means you already have several of the documents IRCC typically expects when assessing self-employed foreign work experience.

One point I'd encourage you to look into carefully is the timeline.

You mentioned operating informally from 2020 but officially registering the business in 2024.

The 2024 registration certainly strengthens your evidence because it establishes the business as a legally recognized entity. However, that doesn't automatically mean your pre-2024 experience cannot be considered. If you have credible evidence showing you were genuinely operating the business before registration, such as invoices, payment records, bank statements, supplier communications, contracts, or other third-party documentation-it may still be relevant.

The key is whether you can substantiate the experience.

The next thing to consider is your NOC.

IRCC doesn't assess your application based on the fact that you owned a skincare business. They assess whether your main duties match those of a skilled occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

From your description, your responsibilities included:

* Product sourcing
* Market research
* Customer relationship management
* Business operations
* Sales and marketing
* Social media management

The challenge is identifying which skilled NOC best reflects the duties you performed for most of your working time. That is often more important than the name of the business itself.

Also, make sure your reference letters do more than confirm you owned a business. They should describe:

* The services you provided.
* Your main duties.
* The period you worked.
* Whether the work was paid.
* The approximate hours worked.
* The relationship between the referee and your business.

Overall, based on the information you've shared, I wouldn't dismiss your self-employed experience simply because it was a business in Nigeria. The stronger your third-party evidence and the better your duties align with an appropriate skilled NOC, the stronger your position will be under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

I wish you the very best with your application.

Hi please can I send an email🙏🏼

walenden:
A 6 month Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management from Twinm Institute, Nigeria, via EduQual UK, can get you a Canadian equivalency of a one-year postgraduate diploma through WES, as shown

PrettyRX:
Even the 6months route, I've read on reddit where PAs were asked ADR for 1 year statement if salary doesn't correlate.
It's better to upload every trail initially like sales of assets, investment or gift.

I wanted to discuss Gift deed POF with you as I am working on my documentations for submission.

I needed a little personal guide

Ok, what aspect specifically?

1soul:
I wanted to discuss Gift deed POF with you as I am working on my documentations for submission.

I needed a little personal guide