Entry on one-way ticket as a visitor looking for work: will it be a problem?

[NiphredilSelphie]

Hi all,

My partner moved to Canada last November and is working there with a Work Permit. I have stayed behind in Germany for a few months to finish my work here, my contract here finishes at the end of March. My plan is to go to Canada as a visitor in April and look for a position in Canada. I have started looking for work already, but I'm currently very busy, working 7 days a week, to finish my work here in Germany, so I think it will be easier to find something when I am there. I plan to stay in Canada for about 2 months, then I think I will have to leave the country and reenter to get a work visa, which is not a problem. I didn't decide yet where I will leave to, because it depends if I have to go to an embassy in person to get a work permit, and various other things, so I will probably arrive in Canada with a one-way flight.

My question is, when I enter as a visitor, will it be a problem at immigration if I say I am there to look for work? Should I rather say I am just visiting my boyfriend? Is it a problem that I will only have a one-way flight? I have plenty of money to cover a return/onward flight, and I can show my bank statements. But I'm wondering if I should just buy a return ticket or a ticket to another country just to be on the safe side. I want to be 100% sure that I won't be turned away at the border, because I travel a lot for work and that will create all sorts of problems in future if I'm denied entry.

Thanks for any advice

 

[NiphredilSelphie]

Maybe I should add: I am an Australian citizen and I would arrive with an ETA not a visitor visa.

 

[Bs65]

Definitely do not say you are coming to Canada as a visitor with no work permit status to look for work as you risk being denied entry. Say you are visiting your boyfriend.

A one way ticket as a visitor will not work as for a start doubtful the airline will board you on a one way ticket just as a visitor and if you actually make it to Canada CBSa will be suspicious of your intentions being on a one way ticket. In any case apart from airlines such as Air Transat a return ticket from Europe is generally a lot cheaper than a one way.

No idea what occupation you are in but getting work and a permit in 2 months may be a bit optimistic.

 

[NiphredilSelphie]

Thanks very much for your response!

Ok, then to be safe I will book a return and say I'm just visiting. Another question, if by the time I go to Canada, I have been invited to come for a job interview, would it be acceptable to give that as a reason to come? Or does it look suspicious if I am coming for several months for a single interview?

I am a scientist, so there are limited options where I can work. I don't find something in 2-3 months I won't find something. Applying for the work visa might take longer but I might have to do that from overseas anyway.

 

[Wonderland_1010]

Thanks very much for your response!

Ok, then to be safe I will book a return and say I'm just visiting. Another question, if by the time I go to Canada, I have been invited to come for a job interview, would it be acceptable to give that as a reason to come? Or does it look suspicious if I am coming for several months for a single interview?

I am a scientist, so there are limited options where I can work. I don't find something in 2-3 months I won't find something. Applying for the work visa might take longer but I might have to do that from overseas anyway.

In order for you to get a work permit, your future employer must obtain a positive LMIA which most companies don't want to do because its time consuming and expensive. Unless you are a person with high skilled qualifications.....

 

[NiphredilSelphie]

Thank you, I'm aware of that. I have a PhD, and there are a lot of foreigners employed in the kind of jobs I'm looking for in Canada, due to having very specific skill sets.

 

[nehamerchant]

skilled workers enter through express entry pool, does these rule apply to you? or there special consideration for Phds?