Self Employed with kids visiting for a year

[retoucher]

My wife and I along with our three kids would like to visit NB for about a year. We are all US citizens. My wife does not work, and I work have a sole-proprietor business here in the USA that allows me to work from a laptop and internet connection from anywhere. Would a visitor visa work for me, or do I need a work visa? I assume I'd need to pay Canadian taxes as well. Also, for my kids to attend school, would they both need study permits or does that fall under some sort of work visa?

Thanks in advance!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Well, I see a few issues with your plan.

You would need to lie to CBSA on entry, which is a crime. If you tell them the truth, that you are coming to live here for a year as visitors, they will refuse you entry. How much stuff were you planning to bring? If you show up with more than a few bags each, the standard tourist amount, CBSA will most likely just refuse entry. There are plenty of stories on here of Americans rocking up to the border with U-Hauls or cars full of belongings and not only being refused entry but given Exclusion Orders.

You would need study permits for the kids and have to pay international tuition, which can be $10000/year per child. You would have to apply beforehand with CIC or at the border with CBSA. Applying with CIC might work, if you don't really explain that you are planning to live in Canada as visitors for a year. Applying at the border will probably result in refusal and possibly an Exclusion Order; genuine visitors don't need study permits for their children.

 

[PMM]

Hi

My wife and I along with our three kids would like to visit NB for about a year. We are all US citizens. My wife does not work, and I work have a sole-proprietor business here in the USA that allows me to work from a laptop and internet connection from anywhere. Would a visitor visa work for me, or do I need a work visa? I assume I'd need to pay Canadian taxes as well. Also, for my kids to attend school, would they both need study permits or does that fall under some sort of work visa?

Thanks in advance!

1. If you don't have any Canadian customers, then you don't require a work permit. CRA probably won't classify you as a resident, so probably no Canadian income taxes.
2. Whether you are admitted for a year, is a different matter, usually visitors are given 6 months initially and can apply for an extension.
3. The children will require study permits, and will be paying international fees which are $9500 per year per student: http://www.caps-i.ca/schools/atlantic-education-international/
4. You should also note that your family won't be covered by medical insurance in Canada.

 

[retoucher]

Thanks for the clarification! I'd never intend to lie or sneak around, but I couldn't find any concrete documentation about these study permits. I appreciate it!