Visitor looking to stay in Canada.

[D_A_N_M]

Hi all,

I'm a UK citizen who first arrived in Canada on a visitor's visa in March 2013. I went back to the UK on May 31st, but came back to Canada on June 12th. I want to secure a visa that will allow me to stay longer than the permitted six months, ideally with which I can work in the country. I am an animator/designer/video & audio editor. I work in films, commercials and documentaries, as well as apps and games. I have a couple of questions:

I would like to secure a TFW visa. A friend who owns a video production company based in Toronto, where my skills would be applicable, has offered to sponsor me, but it requires an LMO which in turn requires she pay me a salary. Do I have alternatives?

If I were to apply for an LMO, can I stay in Canada on a six-month visitors visa while it gets processed?

 

[amikety]

You don't apply for a LMO. The employer applies for the LMO. You apply for a work permit after the employer gets a positive LMO.

You may want to look into the IEC visa for the UK. If you qualify, you can get a visa for 1 year good to work or travel in Canada. This visa goes fast in the UK (insanely fast) so if you're interested, get prepared for 2014 now.

You can stay as long as you're allowed. If the IO at the border doesn't write a date in your passport stamp, it's 6 months. If they do and you need to extend your stay, you can do that as well.

Your work permit application needs to either go to London VO or you apply at the POE. In your case, it will probably be fastest to apply at the USA border by "flagpoling."

 

[SenoritaBella]

Please note that if you entered Canada as a visitor, obtaining a work permit at the port of entry is no longer guaranteed and may not be possible. Visitors who want to change status to worker or student, are now required to return to their home country and apply from there.

A guy from Ireland recently met this fate. He came in as a worker initially, changed status to visitor when it was about to expire, then obtained a LMO and job offer and went to flagpole. He was denied entry and asked to go back to Ireland to apply for a work permit from there. He too is visa-exempt. So beware.

 

[D_A_N_M]

Okay thanks a lot for the information.

I have a six months visa, but I plan to go back to Europe in late September for a month. Can I fly back to Canada after that, or would they refuse me entry? I'm concerned as I'm currently in Canada for the second time this year. There was only a 2-week gap between trips last time, So I'm worried that coming back in October will be my third time this year. Should I be worried?

 

[amikety]

Okay thanks a lot for the information.

I have a six months visa, but I plan to go back to Europe in late September for a month. Can I fly back to Canada after that, or would they refuse me entry? I'm concerned as I'm currently in Canada for the second time this year. There was only a 2-week gap between trips last time, So I'm worried that coming back in October will be my third time this year. Should I be worried?

You'll need a good reason to explain why you're returning so frequently. While no one can tell you for sure, the IO may be interested and ask why you have so many recent travels to Canada.

If you tell them you want to get a job, you will probably be refused at the POE. (Unless you have a work permit by then - it would be obvious why you want to re-enter Canada.)

 

[D_A_N_M]

Okay I understand. Yes they were pretty interested in my second trip to Canada as it happens! But hopefully I'll have a permit by then. Thanks for the advice.

 

[ErickNL]

Please note that if you entered Canada as a visitor, obtaining a work permit at the port of entry is no longer guaranteed and may not be possible. Visitors who want to change status to worker or student, are now required to return to their home country and apply from there.

A guy from Ireland recently met this fate. He came in as a worker initially, changed status to visitor when it was about to expire, then obtained a LMO and job offer and went to flagpole. He was denied entry and asked to go back to Ireland to apply for a work permit from there. He too is visa-exempt. So beware.

I've come to Canada in september 2012 on a one way ticket, went home for 3 weeks over christmas, came back and (finally) found a job in may 2013. Flagpoled asap and had no troubles. They did ask a lot of very thorough questions, but if your honest and your story makes sense I believe they aren't that strict. The main thing they wanted to know is how you've been living, how did you pay for your tickets, what's your future plan, etc.