Changing from a tourist visa to a temporary working visa whilst in Canada?

[gc209]

Hi,

My wife and I had planned to travel to Canada to work for a ski season arriving in October and staying for around 8 months. Unfortunately we missed the cut-off point for 2012 visas (International Experience Canada visa style) and will now arrive in Canada just before Christmas without a working visa. We are happy to spend the first 2/3 months not working but are hoping that as soon as the 2013 visa application process opens, we would apply for one so that by around March/April time, we could change to the working visa for the remainder of our time in Canada and possibly work the summer instead. What is unclear to us is whether we can apply for the visa whilst out of the UK (we will be leaving in October to travel other countries before arriving in Canada in December but could have our application ready and posted out by family in the UK when the time comes) and also how we would go about changing from the tourist visa to the working one? Would we have to cross the border into the USA and back to do this?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Many thanks

George

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hi,

My wife and I had planned to travel to Canada to work for a ski season arriving in October and staying for around 8 months. Unfortunately we missed the cut-off point for 2012 visas (International Experience Canada visa style) and will now arrive in Canada just before Christmas without a working visa. We are happy to spend the first 2/3 months not working but are hoping that as soon as the 2013 visa application process opens, we would apply for one so that by around March/April time, we could change to the working visa for the remainder of our time in Canada and possibly work the summer instead. What is unclear to us is whether we can apply for the visa whilst out of the UK (we will be leaving in October to travel other countries before arriving in Canada in December but could have our application ready and posted out by family in the UK when the time comes) and also how we would go about changing from the tourist visa to the working one? Would we have to cross the border into the USA and back to do this?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Many thanks

George

1. Yes you can apply while outside the UK.
2. Once you have your letter of introduction, proof of 1 years insurance, with repatriation and $2.5K (this year, may go up) you go to the border and "flagpole". The US will refer you back to the Canadian side, where your work permit would be issued.

 

[gc209]

Thanks PMM, thats a relief to know. Regarding the insurance, I will have a year long policy starting in October but this won't last until the end of the visa, even though we are intending returning home the following October due to work commitments. Will I be required to purchase an extra policy just to satisfy the visa requirements even though it won't be used or do they make any exceptions if you can prove that you will be leaving Canada on a certain date?

Thanks for your help