Working Remotely from Canada

[remoteworker]

Hello,

I am a citizen of the UK, with a full-time permanent job in the UK. My girlfriend lives in Canada and I am hoping to visit her occasionally, working remotely for my UK employer when I do. Visits would be roughly every 3 months or so and fairly short (maybe up to a month, but more like 2 weeks).

I'm pretty confident this is all perfectly fine and doesn't require a work visa (I am not seeking employment in Canada, my salary will always be received in a UK bank account and I will remain a full resident of the UK). Though I could see how my actions may be misinterpreted leading to trouble entering Canada.

Can anyone confirm what I'm seeking to do doesn't require any kind of Visa and advise on documentation and anything else I should bring with me when I visit Canada?

 

[scylla]

It's fine as long as your company does no business in Canada / has no Canadian clients.

Don't bring any documents with you that are related to work. Also, make sure you have nothing on your laptop related to work. This could be misinterpreted when you are entering Canada.

 

[remoteworker]

Well the company in question is a large multi-national. It's head quartered in the US and indeed has an office local to where my girlfriend lives. It may well have Canadian clients (though I have nothing to do with them). I am employed by their European arm.,

I'd have to take my work laptop with me, as it's what I need to work remotely. Though I'm not seeking any kind of employment within Canada and I would fully support myself whilst visiting.

 

[remoteworker]

Does anyone else have some advice?

 

[Ponga]

Search the CIC website for document FW01-eng.pdf and look at section 5.1

It specifically states that a person can work remotely (by telephone or internet) without a WP, provided that they are not remunerated in Canada.
Might be good to print that page off, just in case you need proof at the border.

Good luck!

 

[remoteworker]

Fantastic, exactly the info I needed (didn't find the foreign workers manual when I first was poking around the CIC site). Thanks for your help