U.S. Citizen wanting to work remotely for very short time periods

[richardc1]

Hello,

So this is my situation... My fiance (who is a Canadian citizen) was working on becoming an American citizen. Due to confusions with paperwork, she has been given a 3-year bar from the United States. She is half way through that bar now. We have sought a lawyer who is trying to get her home but it looks like she will more than likely be there for the rest of the term. The lawyer is unable to advise on my question.

I am currently working with a global company at their headquarters in Florida. They offered me the chance to work remotely for short periods of time (1-2 months in Ontario max, then 1-2 months home in Florida). Granted that I follow the appropriate measures to keep everything on the up and up. I am desperately searching for information on a case like this but I cannot find anything, any advice or recommendations are greatly appreciated!!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hello,

So this is my situation... My fiance (who is a Canadian citizen) was working on becoming an American citizen. Due to confusions with paperwork, she has been given a 3-year bar from the United States. She is half way through that bar now. We have sought a lawyer who is trying to get her home but it looks like she will more than likely be there for the rest of the term. The lawyer is unable to advise on my question.

I am currently working with a global company at their headquarters in Florida. They offered me the chance to work remotely for short periods of time (1-2 months in Ontario max, then 1-2 months home in Florida). Granted that I follow the appropriate measures to keep everything on the up and up. I am desperately searching for information on a case like this but I cannot find anything, any advice or recommendations are greatly appreciated!!

Hi

Provided none of your clients are in Canada and you are not paid in Canada, you can work remotely while you are here.

 

[richardc1]

Hi

Provided none of your clients are in Canada and you are not paid in Canada, you can work remotely while you are here.

That's the problem is we are a training organization and we have clients globally, I do not work directly with them though, I work for my company who provides educational materials to the end user

 

[scylla]

That's the problem is we are a training organization and we have clients globally, I do not work directly with them though, I work for my company who provides educational materials to the end user

That's a problem and technically you would need a work permit to engage in that kind of work in Canada. Are you sure there are clients in Canada specifically?

 

[richardc1]

That's a problem and technically you would need a work permit to engage in that kind of work in Canada. Are you sure there are clients in Canada specifically?

That's a problem and technically you would need a work permit to engage in that kind of work in Canada. Are you sure there are clients in Canada specifically?

Yes I believe we do. What would I do to get that permit and which permit would I be going for exactly, I would rather have it then not need it then need it and not have it

 

[richardc1]

Small update. I called the number listed at the bottom of this page but was offered no help. After being passed to the lawyer and saying I did not wish to hire a lawyer, only needing to know what form is best for my situation. I was treated very poorly, with his only response is I should be offered a job in canada and move there. I understand you do not want to waste your time with me but spending a few minutes talking to me could have helped substantially if not turned me into a customer. Please if anyone knows of someone I could call to get advice I would appreciate it greatly! I just need to know what visa is correct for me and I will do my best to take it from there. We're already out of money after our current lawyer did little to nothing to help.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

There are specific requirements to qualify for work permits and your situation doesn't look to meet any of them. If the job qualified under NAFTA and there was an office in Canada that could give you a job offer, you could apply. Otherwise, the employer needs a positive LMIA in Canada.

 

[scylla]

Small update. I called the number listed at the bottom of this page but was offered no help. After being passed to the lawyer and saying I did not wish to hire a lawyer, only needing to know what form is best for my situation. I was treated very poorly, with his only response is I should be offered a job in canada and move there. I understand you do not want to waste your time with me but spending a few minutes talking to me could have helped substantially if not turned me into a customer. Please if anyone knows of someone I could call to get advice I would appreciate it greatly! I just need to know what visa is correct for me and I will do my best to take it from there. We're already out of money after our current lawyer did little to nothing to help.

If you want advice from a lawyer - you'll unfortunately have to pay for it.

As for forms, to get a work permit you need a job offer from an employer located in Canada - and that job offer needs to be for a full time position in Canada. If your job falls under NAFTA - you can obtain the work permit with the job offer alone. If not, your employer also needs to obtain an approved LMIA. The situation you've described won't qualify for a work permit since you're employer isn't located in Canada. I think the work permit is a non-starter for you. That's the real problem you're facing.