+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

As a visitor, what am I ALLOWED to do while waiting?

denbert

Full Member
Nov 4, 2014
26
1
I know I cannot study or work, as a visitor.

But I read somewhere here that you can do short studies??

Can someone give a proper link about that?

Like what kind of short studies? How short is allowed, less than 6 months??

If I want to take up hairdressing, is that ok?

If I want to take up caregiving course less than a month, is that ok?

thanks!
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,938
22,177
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=484&t=15
 

screech339

VIP Member
Apr 2, 2013
7,887
552
Category........
Visa Office......
Vegreville
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
14-08-2012
AOR Received.
20-11-2012
Med's Done....
18-07-2012
Interview........
17-06-2013
LANDED..........
17-06-2013
denbert said:
I know I cannot study or work, as a visitor.

But I read somewhere here that you can do short studies??

Can someone give a proper link about that?

Like what kind of short studies? How short is allowed, less than 6 months??

If I want to take up hairdressing, is that ok?

If I want to take up caregiving course less than a month, is that ok?

thanks!
You can volunteer your time. But only at positions that doesn't required a paid job. You can't volunteer in the position that normally a Canadian/Pr get pai for.


You can take courses that are less than 6 months but not courses that are part of certificate that take more than 6 months to complete. I don't think you can take hair dressing courses since it would require more than 6 months to get get certificate or diploma in hairdressing. Otherwise everyone would be taking university courses since each course only take 3-4 months to complete. It is not simple as that.
 

Canadianinlove

Hero Member
Apr 21, 2015
557
17
Category........
Visa Office......
POS
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
07-04-2015
AOR Received.
01-05-2015
File Transfer...
01-06-2015
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
13-02-2015
Interview........
29-10-2015
Passport Req..
30-10-2015
VISA ISSUED...
30-10-2015
LANDED..........
02-11-2015
My hubby has been spending a lot of time at the gym during the day.
He is going to look like Hercules by the time we are done! :eek:

Thank you for asking the question, I found it helpful.

denbert said:
I know I cannot study or work, as a visitor.

But I read somewhere here that you can do short studies??

Can someone give a proper link about that?

Like what kind of short studies? How short is allowed, less than 6 months??

If I want to take up hairdressing, is that ok?

If I want to take up caregiving course less than a month, is that ok?

thanks!
 

km9203

Hero Member
Aug 9, 2015
670
101
Med's Done....
Sent with app
Canadianinlove said:
My hubby has been spending a lot of time at the gym during the day.
He is going to look like Hercules by the time we are done! :eek:

Thank you for asking the question, I found it helpful.
Hahaha. I have been doing pilates classes 3-4 times a week! It is hard to keep busy but boy will I be toned after...thanks, CIC. :)
 

Canadianinlove

Hero Member
Apr 21, 2015
557
17
Category........
Visa Office......
POS
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
07-04-2015
AOR Received.
01-05-2015
File Transfer...
01-06-2015
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
13-02-2015
Interview........
29-10-2015
Passport Req..
30-10-2015
VISA ISSUED...
30-10-2015
LANDED..........
02-11-2015
There are positives in every situation if you look for them.

You could also look at community classes and maybe find something that you like. My husband is a Marine Engineer but we are thinking of him taking Forklift classes because he is bored stiff. Also we look at first aid classes and stuff like that...

Really anything to keep him occupied. I know it is tough feeling so restricted. But as you said you'll be toned and fit!

km9203 said:
Hahaha. I have been doing pilates classes 3-4 times a week! It is hard to keep busy but boy will I be toned after...thanks, CIC. :)
 

km9203

Hero Member
Aug 9, 2015
670
101
Med's Done....
Sent with app
Canadianinlove said:
There are positives in every situation if you look for them.

You could also look at community classes and maybe find something that you like. My husband is a Marine Engineer but we are thinking of him taking Forklift classes because he is bored stiff. Also we look at first aid classes and stuff like that...

Really anything to keep him occupied. I know it is tough feeling so restricted. But as you said you'll be toned and fit!
I found a florist that does flower arranging classes, something I have always wanted to try so I am signing up for that. :)
 

Canadianinlove

Hero Member
Apr 21, 2015
557
17
Category........
Visa Office......
POS
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
07-04-2015
AOR Received.
01-05-2015
File Transfer...
01-06-2015
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
13-02-2015
Interview........
29-10-2015
Passport Req..
30-10-2015
VISA ISSUED...
30-10-2015
LANDED..........
02-11-2015
Awesome good for you. Now you have an opportunity to pursue interests perhaps you hadn't had time for.

I had friend to moved to the US, Seattle. He husband, a Canadian got a great job at Microsoft and they moved. She wasn't able to work. She was always doing something fantastic and enjoying herself. She had volunteered at an art gallery and gave tours. It just seems so fun.



km9203 said:
I found a florist that does flower arranging classes, something I have always wanted to try so I am signing up for that. :)
 

Aquakitty

VIP Member
Mar 21, 2011
3,014
164
BC
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Ottawa
App. Filed.......
04-03-2015
AOR Received.
14-04-2015 - SA Received: 20-04-2015
Med's Done....
28-01-2015 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
25-06-2015
LANDED..........
11-07-2015
In Canada we have a lot of "community" colleges that offer all sorts of short-term certificate and adult education type classes. Check with the local colleges and recreation centres, they all offer all kinds of things.

Keep in mind there is no law against taking online courses from another country as well. My husband nearly has his degree this way.

You are very right, Canadianinlove. You can sit around being bored and feeling sorry for yourself, or you can get out and do something useful with your time! ;D
 

km9203

Hero Member
Aug 9, 2015
670
101
Med's Done....
Sent with app
Aquakitty said:
In Canada we have a lot of "community" colleges that offer all sorts of short-term certificate and adult education type classes. Check with the local colleges and recreation centres, they all offer all kinds of things.

Keep in mind there is no law against taking online courses from another country as well. My husband nearly has his degree this way.

You are very right, Canadianinlove. You can sit around being bored and feeling sorry for yourself, or you can get out and do something useful with your time! ;D
I did a digital marketing course online through a UK school. Was only 2 months but I enjoyed it :D I look for vouchers on groupon etc for different activities.
 

Canadianinlove

Hero Member
Apr 21, 2015
557
17
Category........
Visa Office......
POS
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
07-04-2015
AOR Received.
01-05-2015
File Transfer...
01-06-2015
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
13-02-2015
Interview........
29-10-2015
Passport Req..
30-10-2015
VISA ISSUED...
30-10-2015
LANDED..........
02-11-2015
Great suggestions!

Aquakitty said:
In Canada we have a lot of "community" colleges that offer all sorts of short-term certificate and adult education type classes. Check with the local colleges and recreation centres, they all offer all kinds of things.

Keep in mind there is no law against taking online courses from another country as well. My husband nearly has his degree this way.

You are very right, Canadianinlove. You can sit around being bored and feeling sorry for yourself, or you can get out and do something useful with your time! ;D
 

Mapleson

Hero Member
Apr 2, 2015
534
31
Toronto, Canada
Category........
Visa Office......
Havana
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
23-03-2015
Doc's Request.
21-08-2015
AOR Received.
24-04-2015
File Transfer...
28-05-2015
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
13-02-2015
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
24-09-2015
VISA ISSUED...
30-09-2015
LANDED..........
18-10-2015
Check with your local library! Often there are many "newcomer" programs that can help their transition and fill the time while waiting for the application process to be completed.
 

kangamoose

Hero Member
Jul 13, 2015
361
17
Category........
Visa Office......
Sydney
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
03/08/2015
AOR Received.
02/09/2015
File Transfer...
AOR2 06/10/2015
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
11/07/2015
Passport Req..
DM 10/02/2016 Passport Copy Request 11/02/2016
LANDED..........
03/03/2016
I started an online business on etsy :) I have a work visa but live in a part of Alberta hit pretty hard by the oil crash, so theres not much work around...
 

kiwi01

Star Member
Aug 8, 2015
165
3
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
10/11/2015
Med's Done....
30/09/2015
Anyone know if taking the Canadian Securities Course is allowed? It's an online course which you can do at you own pace, so conceivably I could sit the exam for it after only a few weeks of signing up. Although after completing it you can go on and take further courses to get a certificate so it sounds like it might not meet the criteria. Do I just ring up the CIC number and try get confirmation on what is and what is not allowed?
 

Mapleson

Hero Member
Apr 2, 2015
534
31
Toronto, Canada
Category........
Visa Office......
Havana
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
23-03-2015
Doc's Request.
21-08-2015
AOR Received.
24-04-2015
File Transfer...
28-05-2015
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
13-02-2015
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
24-09-2015
VISA ISSUED...
30-09-2015
LANDED..........
18-10-2015
kangamoose said:
I started an online business on etsy :) I have a work visa but live in a part of Alberta hit pretty hard by the oil crash, so theres not much work around...
Unless you are on an OWP, you should check into your specific restrictions. For visitors, online work, such as etsy or elance, is non-permissible, as it's paid work that could be done by a Canadian.