My spouse is working on a work permit, can I come as a tourist?

[aprillee]

Hello,

my spouse has a work permit valid for a year. I am from a visa exempt country and I know that I can travel to Canada and stay there up to 6 months. My question is - may I have problems at the border if I tell the officers that I want to be with my spouse? I am concerned that they might think I am going to work without authorization. I've had issues in the past, I was refused US visa and Canadian work visa, and I think this makes my situation a bit complicated.

 

[scylla]

Does your spouse have a full time NOC A, B or 0 job? If so, why not apply for a spousal open work permit?

To answer your question, how long you are allowed into Canada as a visitor is determine by the officer you speak to at the border. People are often given the default six month visit - but it is also possible to only be granted a shorter visit (e.g. a few weeks or a few months). It's obviously also possible to be refused entry - but this is rare.

To increase your chances of a smooth entry, you should make sure you pack like a tourist (don't make it look like you're trying to move to Canada) and bring evidence you can show if asked that demonstrates you have ties to your home country (e.g. proof of employment, proof of property ownership). You must also have a return flight ticket and be able to show that you have enough money to pay for your visit to Canada. If you are planning on staying for six months, I would make sure you can demonstrate that you have at least $10K available.

Why were your work permits refused?

 

[aprillee]

Does your spouse have a full time NOC A, B or 0 job? If so, why not apply for a spousal open work permit?

To answer your question, how long you are allowed into Canada as a visitor is determine by the officer you speak to at the border. People are often given the default six month visit - but it is also possible to only be granted a shorter visit (e.g. a few weeks or a few months). It's obviously also possible to be refused entry - but this is rare.

To increase your chances of a smooth entry, you should make sure you pack like a tourist (don't make it look like you're trying to move to Canada) and bring evidence you can show if asked that demonstrates you have ties to your home country (e.g. proof of employment, proof of property ownership). You must also have a return flight ticket and be able to show that you have enough money to pay for your visit to Canada. If you are planning on staying for six months, I would make sure you can demonstrate that you have at least $10K available.

Why were your work permits refused?

today is my spouse's first day at new work, hopefully he will get a NOC B job, then I will apply for a work permit . Now I am just thinking about other possibilities for us to be together. If I go as a tourist I am thinking to buy a return ticket after a month and then change the date because I will not be able to get 10k dollars, what is more, my spouse will support me, I will not need to pay for rent or food, so I will not need that much money anyways. I have proof of employment, but if I travel to Canada, I will have to quit my job as I won't be able to have such a long leave...
My US work permit was refused because of weak ties to my home country and my Canadian work permit was refused because I unintentionally provided false information as I was in a hurry when filling out my application. Do the officers at the border see these refusals?

 

[scylla]

Assume they will have access to the Canadian refusal.

 

[aprillee]

Assume they will have access to the Canadian refusal.

do you think this might be a problem for me at the border? I have no illegal intentions and it really upsets me that because of silly mistakes in the past now I may face difficulties.

 

[scylla]

do you think this might be a problem for me at the border? I have no illegal intentions and it really upsets me that because of silly mistakes in the past now I may face difficulties.

It shouldn't be a problem at all provided you look like a genuine visitor and not someone who is attempting to live in Canada as a tourist.

 

[aprillee]

It shouldn't be a problem at all provided you look like a genuine visitor and not someone who is attempting to live in Canada as a tourist.

thank you, Scylla, for help!