International Experience Canada - Should I flagpole?

[Evi1hamst3r]

Hi everyone.

I am part of a university course in Australia which requires me to complete an international internship before a certain date. Bureaucracy was slow, and by the time all of my university's forms were completed, less than 56 days remained until I was needed in Canada. I have received my invitation to apply, and applied for IEC.

The chance that CIC will process my application before I am needed in Canada is very slim.

So:

Can I apply for a visitors visa, travel to Canada, and then activated my work permit once it is completed?
- How does one go about doing this? I have heard of flagpolling, but I am definitely not experienced with it.

I have placed certain start and end times into my work permit application. Can I extend the end date in Canada?
- How does one go about doing this? How long does it take?

How strict is Canada with "working without a permit"?
- The company I am working for has never had an international intern before. The tasks I am being given are coding-based and can be completed on my laptop. I would present my progress only when/if my work permit is accepted.
- Can I participate in orientation activities, meet with people at the company on a visitor's visa?


You guys are my last ditch effort. I truly underestimated the power of the red tape. Any/all help is appreciated.

Thanks for reading this far ~ and if you need any details about my situation, I'll respond as fast as I can.

 

[scylla]

You can certainly enter Canada as a visitor before your IEC is approved and then flagpole and a US/Canada land border to activate your IEC once it's ready.

You absolutely cannot do any work of any kind (either paid or unpaid) from Canada until you have a valid work permit in hand. Canada is very strict about this. If you do anything for your company before you have a valid work permit (including coding that can be completed from your laptop, orientation, etc.) you will be in violation of immigration law - which will make you deportable from Canada. Until you have a valid work permit, all you can do is visit Canada. Don't mess around and break laws unless you want problems.