Hi! I'm not exactly a skilled worker of any kind, just a British citizen and musician who's wanting to go travelling for a bit and I've always been fascinated by Canada, so I'd very much like to go, but I'm only 20 so I have no idea where to start with preparations! If someone could help me out by letting me know what I'd need to do to make sure I don't get kicked out of the country before buying my ticket then that would be just wonderful haha I'd be looking at going next October/November and, since I'm a musician, I will be looking to play gigs and sell CDs over there while I'm around, but I'm not 100% sure whether I'd need a visa to do that or not. As I say, I'd only be staying for around a year, possibly less, but no more than that, I wouldn't think at least. Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to hearing from some of you. :')
British musician looking to visit Canada for a year.
- Thread starter jhenry
- Start date
If you want to play gigs and sell CDs - you can't do that as a visitor. This is classified as working and it's illegal to work while here as a visitor.
You will need a work visa to come here and do as planned. I think it will be extremely difficult for you to qualify for a regular work visa. To qualify, you first have to find an employer in Canada who is willing to offer you a job. That employer must then obtain an approved LMO. An LMO is basically permission from the government to hire a foreign worker and to be approved, the employer must prove the job was advertised and no Canadians could be found to fill the role.
Based on your age, your best bet is the IEC (International Experience Canada) open work visa which allows you to come to Canada for a year on a working holiday (assuming you meet the requirements and are accepted). The IEC visas go quickly (only a limited number are available each year) and they will start accepting applications early next year. Information can be found here:
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx?view=d
You will need a work visa to come here and do as planned. I think it will be extremely difficult for you to qualify for a regular work visa. To qualify, you first have to find an employer in Canada who is willing to offer you a job. That employer must then obtain an approved LMO. An LMO is basically permission from the government to hire a foreign worker and to be approved, the employer must prove the job was advertised and no Canadians could be found to fill the role.
Based on your age, your best bet is the IEC (International Experience Canada) open work visa which allows you to come to Canada for a year on a working holiday (assuming you meet the requirements and are accepted). The IEC visas go quickly (only a limited number are available each year) and they will start accepting applications early next year. Information can be found here:
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx?view=d
I don't entirely agree with this. See the link below; scroll to performing artistsscylla said:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit.asp.
You can get more info on working as a performing artist without a work permit here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/fw01-eng.pdf Page 32 and 33 for example.
Two things to remember:
1. You can not play in a bar or a restaurant without a work permit
2. You can not have any regular gig for more than 4 weeks at a time without a work permit
Also keep in mind that your visitor status expires after 6 months. If you want to stay longer than 6 months, you can apply to extend your visit status before it expires or you can pop off to the US for a short break and then try to come back and see if they will let you in for another 6 months. Also make sure you have emergency and accident insurance. You will not be covered under Canadian health care so if something happens to you, it could get expensive if you are not insured.
Two things to remember:
1. You can not play in a bar or a restaurant without a work permit
2. You can not have any regular gig for more than 4 weeks at a time without a work permit
Also keep in mind that your visitor status expires after 6 months. If you want to stay longer than 6 months, you can apply to extend your visit status before it expires or you can pop off to the US for a short break and then try to come back and see if they will let you in for another 6 months. Also make sure you have emergency and accident insurance. You will not be covered under Canadian health care so if something happens to you, it could get expensive if you are not insured.
I agree this provision is here. However the assessment of whether you qualify is up to the immigration officer(s) a person encounters at the border. This clause works well if you are a band playing an already booked non bar/restaurant venue (e.g. stadium, concert hall). It doesn't work well for someone more independent without any formal gigs booked. Not sure it works for the OP. There's certainly a risk of being refused.annabruce said:
There was a case a few years ago either here or on one of the other immigration forums I read (trying to find the thread now) where someone from the UK came over with a guitar and a few CDs to sell. He was refused entry, sent back and ended up with a one year ban because immigration decided he didn't meet the exclusion clause and was planning on working illegally. (He was livid but there was nothing he could do.) Ultimately the burden of proof is on the individual entering the country to prove they meet the requirement.
So IMHO the IEC visa is still the best way to go to ensure no problems (assuming the OP qualifies to apply). Coming over as a visitor might be doable but carries risk.
It would certainly be a mistake to arrive at the border with a bunch of CDs and state his plan gig and sell those CDs.
However, as a young 20 year old from a visa exempt country, arriving at the border with a backpack and a musical intrument and enough money to pay for his travels, won't seem particulary suspicious to a border officer. I would suggest that he start his travels a little earlier. Arriving just as winter starts, may cause a raised eyebrow. Once he's in Canada, perhaps he should arrange to have his CDs sent to him.
By the way, if he qualifies, the IEC visa you suggested is a good idea.
However, as a young 20 year old from a visa exempt country, arriving at the border with a backpack and a musical intrument and enough money to pay for his travels, won't seem particulary suspicious to a border officer. I would suggest that he start his travels a little earlier. Arriving just as winter starts, may cause a raised eyebrow. Once he's in Canada, perhaps he should arrange to have his CDs sent to him.
By the way, if he qualifies, the IEC visa you suggested is a good idea.
True. It is best to come in the spring and not say too much when arriving. Get mom to mail the CD's later.
The working holiday visa is also a good idea. If you want to apply, keep watch on their website: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx?view=d and apply when they open for the 2013 program because they fill up pretty soon. If you get it for 2013, you can enter any time in 2013 and it will be valid for 12 months. That's an open work permit so it means you can work any job and you can play in bars or restaurants if offered or the same gig for more than 4 weeks or even take a different job if you are strapped for cash.
The working holiday visa is also a good idea. If you want to apply, keep watch on their website: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx?view=d and apply when they open for the 2013 program because they fill up pretty soon. If you get it for 2013, you can enter any time in 2013 and it will be valid for 12 months. That's an open work permit so it means you can work any job and you can play in bars or restaurants if offered or the same gig for more than 4 weeks or even take a different job if you are strapped for cash.