*URGENT* Entry into Canada as a visitor with a pending work permit.

[bubdobbs]

Hi, I'm a New Zealand citizen travelling on an New Zealand passport, wanting to enter into Canada as a Visitor. I have a pending work permit application for Canada that will not be processed until after my arrival in Canada (01/20/14). I will be departing from the USA, where I have been staying for 90 days under the visa waiver program. I plan to make a day trip back to the USA to get my work permit issued at a Canadian port of entry.
My main problem is that my proof of onward travel is a ticket to Iceland in September. This is fine for the one year allotment i get with the work permit, but it is outside of the 6 month allotment i get as a visitor. Will this be a problem at immigration?
I am staying with family in Toronto initially and then going on to find work in Vancouver, so not actually abusing the system but it might appear that way? I dont know.

Thanks for your time,
Nick

 

[kmtollemache]

Hi Nick,


Im in a similar situation myself,
can you please elaborate on the work permit application, is this the same as the IEC working holiday programme or seperate ???
and where is the location of the Canadian Port of Entry?

I have made the mistake of booking my ticket too soon to canada, and have not yet recieved my letter of introduction from the CIC.
My concern is, if i still goto Canada on a holiday visa - can i depart the country (to america) and re appear with the working Visa. OR is their a waiting period you have to encounter.

I also have little proof of onward travel - a ticket to Alaksa. Sorry ive been no help - but its nice to see someone in a similar situation

 

[bubdobbs]

Sorry for late reply. I got through okay, ended up booking a ticket to Bermuda for 30 days from my arrival in Canada, and refunded it when i did arrive. Also, i found out about 'flagpoling'. It is possible to officially leave Canada, via land border, to the US and get rejected without consequence, then return and "land" in Canada.

It is the same IEC program. Any international airport or controlled border is a port of entry. You should be okay with just a ticket to Alaska, although this is not preferable. Be prepared to elaborate and describe your travel plans to customs officials, they want to be convinced you'll leave when you're meant to.

There's no waiting period between entries. On your first entry as a visitor, avoid mentioning your intention to eventually find work.