Travel to Canada to work at a sister company for 2 weeks?

[Rpottam]

Hi all,

I'm currently in United States on a valid h1b work visa and I was asked by my employer if I can go to Canada and work for two weeks at our sister company. My payroll still runs on the parent company and I still reside in United States. Can I apply for a visitor visa and work at the site for two weeks?

 

[zardoz]

Hi all,

I'm currently in United States on a valid h1b work visa and I was asked by my employer if I can go to Canada and work for two weeks at our sister company. My payroll still runs on the parent company and I still reside in United States. Can I apply for a visitor visa and work at the site for two weeks?

You can't "work". You can attend business meetings or receive training. What "work" is expected to be done? You don't even benefit from NAFTA. Check out the possibility of an exception here ->
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...a/permit/temporary/need-work-permit-work.html

 

[Rpottam]

You can't "work". You can attend business meetings or receive training. What "work" is expected to be done? You don't even benefit from NAFTA.

To complete some projects at our plants in Canada.

 

[zardoz]

To complete some projects at our plants in Canada.

This is the only obvious possibility that I could find.

To work in Canada as a high-skilled worker for a short term
You do not need a work permit if you will come to Canada as a high-skilled worker and

• your job is under the NOC skill type 0 (managerial) or A (professional)
• you will only work for
  • up to 15 consecutive days once every six months or
  • up to 30 consecutive days once every year

If you are eligible, you may need a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization to come to Canada.

Your "work" doesn't sound as if it meets the "Business Visitor" description.

To work in Canada as a business visitor
You’re coming to Canada to do business activities, but you will not be part of the Canadian labour market.

If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.

Note: “Business people” does not mean the same thing as “business visitor.” Make sure you understand the difference, because “business people” usually need work permits.

See https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...rvices/visit-canada/business/eligibility.html

Types of activities
Activities you may conduct as a business visitor include:

• buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government
• taking orders for goods or services
• going to meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs
• giving after-sales service (managing, not doing hands-on labour)
• being trained by a Canadian parent company that you work for outside Canada
• training employees of a Canadian branch of a foreign company
• being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services

 

[Rpottam]

This is the only obvious possibility that I could find.

To work in Canada as a high-skilled worker for a short term
You do not need a work permit if you will come to Canada as a high-skilled worker and

• your job is under the NOC skill type 0 (managerial) or A (professional)
• you will only work for
  • up to 15 consecutive days once every six months or
  • up to 30 consecutive days once every year

If you are eligible, you may need a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization to come to Canada.

Your "work" doesn't sound as if it meets the "Business Visitor" description.

To work in Canada as a business visitor
You’re coming to Canada to do business activities, but you will not be part of the Canadian labour market.

If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.

Note: “Business people” does not mean the same thing as “business visitor.” Make sure you understand the difference, because “business people” usually need work permits.

See https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...rvices/visit-canada/business/eligibility.html

Types of activities
Activities you may conduct as a business visitor include:

• buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government
• taking orders for goods or services
• going to meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs
• giving after-sales service (managing, not doing hands-on labour)
• being trained by a Canadian parent company that you work for outside Canada
• training employees of a Canadian branch of a foreign company
• being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services

So I guess I fall under business visitor?

 

[zardoz]

So I guess I fall under business visitor?

That's up to you, to convince CBSA. Personally, I have my doubts.

 

[hawk39]

Hi all,

I'm currently in United States on a valid h1b work visa and I was asked by my employer if I can go to Canada and work for two weeks at our sister company. My payroll still runs on the parent company and I still reside in United States. Can I apply for a visitor visa and work at the site for two weeks?

I think if your US employer wants you to go to Canada to work for the sister company for two weeks, then it should be up to them to find out the legality of this request and to process any paperwork. I'm sure the legal departments from both sides of this company have already looked into this; it is not uncommon for a multinational company to send employees to their other branches.

 

[Copingwithlife]

That’s true , but I’ve also seen numerous times at the airport Immigration escorting travellers back to the US, when they’ve told them they are only visiting , but after further investigations they will be working
Once immigration is lied too, the jig is up