If your Open Work Permit (OWP) from Canada has expired, you are no longer legally allowed to work in Canada — including self-employment or freelance work. This includes:
Creating content on YouTube as a source of income (i.e., monetized videos)
Receiving revenue from ads (e.g., AdSense), memberships, or donations (e.g., Super Chats, Patreon, etc.)
Even though being a YouTuber may not seem like traditional employment, Canadian immigration law generally considers monetized content creation as work, especially if you are residing in Canada and earning income through a platform. Here's why:
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Key Points:
“Work” under Canadian immigration law includes any activity where you are paid or expect to be paid
Even donations or passive income through a monetized channel is considered work if it's generated from your ongoing efforts
If you are still physically in Canada without a valid permit, earning income may be a violation of immigration conditions
