Visit before Work

[mrkobain]

Hi guys,

I have just been approved for work permit for Canada in the last few days and received my letter of introduction which gives me a year to enter.

I was wondering, is it possible to travel there on a visitor visa without activating the work permit? I am planning on going to Vancouver for a weeks holiday in September and to see what it is like there before committing to that city. I would rather enter on a tourist visa than activate the work permit as I am not planning on moving there until early next year. The work permit shows an ETA also, would I have to apply for a different one when going as a tourist?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[Bs65]

By work permit are you referring to the IEC program ? People on IEC do this all the time visit first then come back later or go to the border and flagpole to get their IEC permit activated. If asked about IEC you just tell CBSA this trip you are visiting and will activate at a future date.

The ETA is linked to your passport and is valid for 5 years or as long as your passport is valid if that is less than 5 years. It has nothing to do with having an IEC but just gets issued at the same time to save time/costs so no you do not another to be a tourist

 

[mrkobain]

Yes its for the IEC...ok thanks for clarifying! The work permit doesn't say how long the visa will be valid for, do you know what that will be? I'm an Irish citizen

 

[PMM]

Hi

Yes its for the IEC...ok thanks for clarifying! The work permit doesn't say how long the visa will be valid for, do you know what that will be? I'm an Irish citizen

1. ETAs are normally a five year validity If you want to know, then you check here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/my_application/status.asp?s=10

 

[mrkobain]

Hi




1. ETAs are normally a five year validity If you want to know, then you check here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/my_application/status.asp?s=10

Ok I meant how long would the work permit be valid for once I enter on the IEC permit...I know I have a year to enter on the permit, but how long you get after that I'm unclear on

 

[scylla]

Ok I meant how long would the work permit be valid for once I enter on the IEC permit...I know I have a year to enter on the permit, but how long you get after that I'm unclear on

Depends on your country of origin.

 

[mrkobain]

Depends on your country of origin.

As mentioned above, I am an Irish citizen