Working In Canada - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**PlayPal** · 07-11-2005, 12:14 PM

Ok, so when I was in Europe this past winter, I met an AMAZING girl in Lagos, Portugal. We traveled together for a month and are now together, despite the fact that I'm in Oregon for the summer, and she lives in Montreal, QC. However, after I get done firefighting for the summer, I'm moving up there. As I understand it, Americans get six months up there as a "tourist" without needing any paperwork. That's all well and good, but I need to work. I've tried checking the Canadian consulate's website, and their immigration office, etc. but it's a lot of meaningless forms and requirements. Does anybody know anything about this? Can you simplify it for me? Got any tips? Anything will help. Thanks.

**space virgin** · 07-11-2005, 12:20 PM

Um, get married?

Most of the time a company has to sponsor you for your work visa. And the problem is that many companies don't want to go through with that hassle when they have readily available Canadian citizens to hire. *shrug*

I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's really not easy without getting married.

Believe me, I'd love to figure out a way and move to Vancouver (if not Spain) and work legally.

**elfmaiden** · 07-11-2005, 12:30 PM

Yeah I have a girl who imported an american girlfriend and he's havin' a bitch of a time trying to get her to stay. As it is right now, she goes home to the States for like a month every 6 months and just comes back.

He doesn't want to go the marriage route at the moment, so they've been just goin' back 'n forth.

Jenn

**elfmaiden** · 07-11-2005, 12:31 PM

Sorry that should be "Guy" not girl. *Dreams about having an edit button herself someday* Ha ha.

Jenn

Jeremy · 07-11-2005, 03:37 PM

Well I can't offer you any advice on the paper work but I did grow up in Montreal and you'll love it there.

It's a great party town with great clubs, bars, restaurants and the hottest night scene in Canada. The old city is also a great place, very european. You said you'll be there in Winter so be sure to have a good jacket. Montreal isn't just cold but it's damp because it's an island so the cold goes with through you.

PS. Just in Case you don't know 'Habs' is the nick name for Montreal's Hockey team the Canadiens. (pronounced the same as CanadiAns)

xanthuos · 07-11-2005, 05:52 PM

There's two things I suggest:
1) If you were a full-time student the semester prior, you can go through BUNAC's SWAP program for Canada. You'll be able to work in Canada at any job for 6 months, for a $250 fee. This is the only way for Americans to get a blank work permit for Canada without going the landed status route, which sucks.
2) Participate in clinical trials. Check out www.gpgp.net for more information. You'll need to have health insurance, and you'll need to pay for it yourself as you're ineligible for provincial healthcare as a "tourist"

If you have any more questions or anything, let me know. I'm struggling with the same situation as you.

Oh, and Jenn, why no edit button? I've got one.

**elfmaiden** · 07-11-2005, 06:02 PM

I'm just not cool enough I suppose.

Health trials. :S ROFL. Although the swap seems like a cool idea, or you can just fight through the paper work, I wonder what exactly is involved?

Jenn

xanthuos · 07-11-2005, 06:12 PM

HEY! No laughing at clinical trials!

And I was wrong about the edit button.

**benna2** · 07-11-2005, 07:09 PM

Well I have an idea PlayPal...I have been wanting to work legally in the States and I happen to be Canadian. Let's you and I get married, each get citizenship of desired country and then have a perfectly lovely divorce.

Other than that...I have no idea. I know that it is just as hard for Americans to work in Canada as it is for Canadians to work in the States. And I haven't found a way to do that yet!

**elfmaiden** · 07-12-2005, 06:06 AM

I think alot of Tpunks are going to get married for this very reason. LOL!

Jenn

**LiveFreeorDie** · 07-12-2005, 09:40 AM

Anybody who would willing move to montreal in the WINTER has got to be out of their f-ing minds!!!!!

The girl better be absolutely unbelievable. I mean, I live north of Boston, and it is freezing in the winter, but Montreal takes cold to a whole other level. It's why the city has a network of underground tunnels that you can use in the winter to go everywhere - because no one can bear to be outside for more than about 30 seconds!

Good luck!!!!!!!

xanthuos · 07-12-2005, 12:03 PM

Pffft, try winter on the prairies!

Qwardian · 07-12-2005, 01:36 PM

I'll pass thanx.

TdotGuy · 07-26-2005, 04:25 PM

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/

This link should tell you everything you need to know about temporary work permits in canada. Some types of work don't require a permit...but I'm not sure which ones. Good luck..you can always do some contstruction work under the table...god knows there's enough work to go around with the housing boom.

pink_floyd · 07-27-2005, 08:37 PM

Quote:

2) Participate in clinical trials. Check out www.gpgp.net for more information. You'll need to have health insurance, and you'll need to pay for it yourself as you're ineligible for provincial healthcare as a "tourist"

is that where they lock you in a room and give you experimental drugs?? B)

xanthuos · 07-27-2005, 11:08 PM

They do not lock you in a room. Your participation is, at all times, voluntary.
Not all of the drugs they are performing trials of are experimental either. Most, actually, are FDA approved drugs. What they may be gathering data on are different dosage forms, or the effect on absorption if taken in conjunction with another drug.

**PlayPal** · 08-26-2005, 05:05 PM

Hey, does anybody know if canada keeps track of when you enter the country if you drive across? And how hard is it to get your stay extended? Thanks.

**benna2** · 08-27-2005, 03:18 PM

If you are driving across in your own vehicle, then they will have on record when you left the states...and then eventually when you go back to the US they will know that you have been there the whole time.

However that being said, I honestly don't think it really matters. I'm Canadian, but have lived and worked in the States on and off for the past five years. Nothing has ever been said to me about it. Mind you, I do take precautions (like buying a round trip ticket, then cancelling the return, or getting someone to drive me across the border) But for the most part, the government isn't really "out to get" you unless you are involved in illegal criminal activity.

That being said however, I have been in the States for the past six months and am going back to Canada at the end of September because I can't work down here and I can't afford to not work. So it just really depends on you and what you are willing to do.

Good luck!

**PlayPal** · 09-09-2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PlayPal@Aug 27 2005, 12:05 PM
Hey, does anybody know if canada keeps track of when you enter the country if you drive across? And how hard is it to get your stay extended? Thanks.

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Thanks Benna. One more question: I'm thinking of driving across the Trans-Canadian highway ( think that's the name) to get there. It will be more expensive because of the gas prices up there, but if it's a nice drive then it will be worth it to see some new country. Worth it or not?

**benna2** · 09-10-2005, 11:59 AM

I drove that highway from Banff, Alberta-Toronto, Ontario. Overall, it's a pretty drive. It's very straight! The prairies are a little boring to drive through, but Northern Ontario is really cool. I would have to actually look at a map to refresh my memory because it's been so long...Anyway, it's not a bad drive and yes, it is a beautiful country and you will be able to say you did it!