Training as Intern for Charity - What kind of visa?

[peterw2]

Hi,

I am a 44 year old UK citizen. I want to stay in Vancouver for about 10 months spending time as an intern with a local charity. There is a branch of this charity in the UK and this placement would be for my own training and development. I will be totally self financed and supported from the UK.

The question is what kind of permit / visa do I need for this? It is not full time study with an institution, and I do not think it comes under work as the training placement is being designed specifically around my own development and needs.

Any advice about this would be really helpful!

 

[Londonlady31]

I was looking into this as well but once you are over 31 you can not get a working holiday visa so you need to apply for PR visa or you can go there on on a tourist visa which being british you are eliable for 6 months and you can look to extend it whilst there but there is no guarantee. I was told it is best to not mention to immigration you are going there to volunteer as they will see that as work. Unfortunately it is really hard to go to Canada after 31, I have just misssed it by a year so I have been looking at all the options as my partner lives there.

Check out this company Visa Wise, I have been speaking with them and you deal with a specialised immigration lawyer for Canada who are based in London.

 

[scylla]

I don't think coming over as a tourist will fly in this situation since the specific purpose for coming to Canada is to intern. I believe a work permit is required. This is one of those cases where contacting CIC to ask would be a very good idea.