Canadian Visa Question:

Seanymph

My ex lives in Canada and has emigrated from England and is now a Canadian Citizen.

Our daughter is a full time student.

For her course she has to complete six weeks of work experience, unpaid, this Summer - 225 hours.

She would like to visit her Dad for a period of eight weeks this Summer, and undertake her work experience placement at a Canadian Farm - She has an offer to do that subject to completion of the necessary permissions and paperwork.

The question we are left with is does she need a Visa - she's emailed Canada House, but it's 28 days for a response apparently - and she is worried she won't get the answer in time to get the Visa.

Does anyone have any idea - or better googlyness than me, because I can find loads, but nothing that addresses her particular situation.

Thanks as always.

agrinnall

My googlyness tells me that if she is travelling as a worker then a work permit will be required - it doesn't look like the work she will be doing is on the permit exemption list and it states that a permit is required for any other work even if it's unpaid. It seems to suggest that a WP acts in lieu of a visa if one is required, but it it's not required than a visa may be for some countries, but the UK is not on that list.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit.asp

There is another option open to 18 - 35 year olds, entering Canada for a working holiday. However, entry to the first round working holiday category for UK citizens closed last week, but as it's for paid work I don't think it would apply anyway.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/index.asp?country=gb&cat=wh

My overall guess is that she will need a Work Permit, it might be worth starting the application anyway while waiting for a reply from the High Commission.

mgdavid

Seanymph wrote: »

.......
For her course I have to complete six weeks of work experience, ........

this sounds unusual?

Seanymph

Very well spotted mgdavid - I copied and pasted her post on another forum, but this is my home forum so I brought it here too.

Seanymph

I'm not sure about 'work' - not least because the farm have offered her a work experience opportunity that is fantastic - but it isn't a 'job' that wouldn't therefore go to someone else.

It's called 'work experience' but it's an unpaid 'shadowing' role really.

And if she goes for a 'work visa' the people at the other end have to apply for an exemption to employ someone from england over someone from Canada.

But there isn't a job there - they have agreed to allow her into their organisation for six weeks.

Not that I want to push to not do what's right - but 'work visa' looks to be complicated from their end and the last thing she needs is for them to be put off, it's taken her ages to find someone in canada prepared to offer her the six week placement.

So, as it isn't an actual post that she is filling, does that make a difference do you think?

wondercollie

I'm Canadian and I'd say apply for the visa. She may be able to use a student visa as it's unpaid work for part of her education.


Border Control seems to be cracking down on people. If they have the slightest doubt as to why she's here, they will just refuse her entry and return flight her.

Seanymph

Thanks Wondercollie - the student information we keep finding is all about joining education in Canada - rather than being a student elsewhere.

Any idea how she can actually talk to someone without waiting 28 days for an email response - we have concerns that the email will leave more questions!

Seanymph

Having read more I don't think she can get a study permit, it says:

These requirements apply to everyone who wishes to study in Canada, whether or not you need a study permit. To study in Canada, you must:

Have been accepted to a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada,

She hasn't been accepted to a school, college etc - it's a hard category to work out, and the website says they won't advise you which permit to apply for!

Seanymph

It says this:

Temporary Resident Visa / Permits and Travel Documents Application Process

Temporary Resident Visa/Permits and Travel Documents - In-Person Application Process

Step 1 Applications in all temporary resident categories (visitor, student and worker) and travel document applications from Canadian permanent residents in these countries are accepted at the CVAC in London.

As of September 4, 2013, you may need to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) when applying for a visitor visa, study permit or work permit.Find out if you need to give your biometrics.
Step 2 Before applying, please ensure you are very clear on your ‘purpose of visit’ - do remember we are here to assist and help you through the entire application process but are not permitted to advise or guide you on choosing a visa/permit category

dawyldthing

If she isn't 'working' can't she just get a tourist visa? Depends if volunteering can be done on a tourist visa, as it sounds like volunteering to me

Voyager2002

What she will be doing is similar to WWOOFing, so see if they have anything useful on their website.

You might get reliable answers on the 'Thorn Tree' forum, part of the Lonely Planet website.