Backup Plans - Visitor Permits and Work Visas

[CharlesF2]

Hi everyone. I'm in Burbank, CA and I've been offered a job up in Toronto and need to relocate soon. Here's the problem, my employers are waiting on paperwork for my work visa. If it doesn't arrive soon I may have to wait until January to begin working. My lease is here is up soon and I would prefer to find an apartment up there and be ready for the work when it begins, instead of throwing money into living for a month in hotel limbo while I wait for the permit to go through. So, would it be possible to enter as a visitor to secure an apartment, and change to a work permit once I begin the job?

Also, my wife is a Russian citizen, but is also a conditional US Permanent Resident. Would she be able to enter as a visitor as well?

 

[scylla]

You can't "move" to Canada and bring all of your belongings until the work permit has been approved. If you try to move to Canada early, it's quite possible you may run into issues at the border (this could include being refused entry).

When you say that your employers are waiting on the paperwork - what do you mean by that? Is this an internal transfer within the organization you're already working for? Is it a new company and your employer is applying for an LMIA?