Visiting girlfriend on a regular basis

[shliab]

I've been having trouble figuring out whether I need to apply for permission for the following situation.

I work for a company in NYC that has an office in Montreal. My girlfriend will be moving back to Montreal. My job is offering me the opportunity to work remotely in Canada 2 out of every 4 weeks. They would give me a desk in the Montreal office. I will have an apartment in NYC and stay with my girlfriend while in Canada.

If this *is* a problem for some reason, what would I need to do in order for Canada to let me do this? If we were engaged or married would this make a difference? Would I need a work visa? If I didn't use the Montreal office, does that make a difference? If I were there less often, would that matter?

Thanks!

 

[scylla]

If you do any work with or related to Canadian customers / clients - then you'll need a work permit to work from Canada. Note that a work permit will only be granted for a job that is located in Canada full-time.

 

[Ponga]

Given the fact that the office is in Montreal, a qualified Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident could (in theory) perform the same duties, right?

IMHO, this is a potential hornet's nest of trouble.

 

[scylla]

Given the fact that the office is in Montreal, a qualified Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident could (in theory) perform the same duties, right?

IMHO, this is a potential hornet's nest of trouble.

I don't think it's going to work out since if the company has an office in Canada, then presumably it has Canadian clients. If the company has Canadian clients, then a work permit is required to work from Canada legally. And a work permit is not going to be granted for someone who wants to work 50% of the time from Canada and 50% of the time from the US.

As for the qualified Canadian/PR bit - that may not be an issue if the job falls under NAFTA and no LMIA is required. However again, what will likely be an issue is the 50% bit.

 

[RWoods]

You won't be able to work out of the Montreal office without a work permit. My husband works for a company which has an office in Detroit and an office in Montreal. Several times employees from the Detroit office heading to the Montreal office for a few days have been turned around at the Canadian border and sent back to Detroit. If the employee is headed to the Montreal office to attend a meeting they are allowed to enter Canada but if the customs officer feels that employee is also going to work they are not allowed entry.