Work permit for Canada

demoman · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 9:28 pm Post subject: Work permit for Canada

Hi, recently I have been trying to get into modeling. I had a Canadian photographer contact me and set up an interview. When I tried to cross the border I was denied entry as I didn't have a work permit, fine. Now my question is I see that I can't just get a work permit and have it on had just in case so what happens if I try to go to Canada just for fun which I have done many times before but now I don't know if I am "red flagged" in the computer and if I tell them I am just going for pleasure will they believe me and let me in or will they try to say that in the past I tried to get through with no permit whos to say I am not doing it again? I have no problem with getting a permit but it seems as though Canada is very picky and just wont "give" them out. I have no criminal background and I am even finger printed here in the US where I was born and raised for foster care purposes. What is your suggestion? Thanks so much!

Dan · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:08 am Post subject:

Hi Demoman and welcome to the forums. Wave

When you have a moment, please complete your profile and click on this coloured text to be taken to our new members thread. Please reply to the thread to introduce yourself.

Include things like something about your home, your interests (travel and otherwise) and that type of thing. They all help people to know who they're talking to. Once you've done this, people find it easier to reply to questions about destinations and make recommendations.

Best of luck with your work search in Canada. I guess how immigration will handle you next time you cross the border will depend on what you told them last time. I doubt entry for pleasure would be refused, but you may be right to be anxious about what is held on computer about you.

We found Canadian immigration to be more relaxed than US immigration (we're Brits), but we entered both in 1999, so long before 9/11 and the increase in global tension that now exists. Good luck.

Welcome aboard.

Dan.
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mikeman · Pilot Joined: 04 Oct 2002 Posts: 623 529 ants

Demoman,

I guess there is a problem with being too honest. If you indicate any interest in working while in Canada as a tourist, they will likely reject you again.

While I would not suggest lying about actual work plans, I don't think that you would be pushing things too far if you avoided mentioning a meeting with your prospective employer. Who is to say what you will be talking about. They certainly can not tell you not to talk to Canadians while there.

Go as a tourist and don't elaborate. I have always believed that the less you say, the better. Can you describe your contact as a friend? With the history in the computer, they will likely ask you some pointed questions. There is no reason to think that they will not accept your answers at face value.

Good luck

demoman · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 4:20 pm Post subject: Work Permit

Thanks for the response! I really appreciate you two taking the time to write me. I said the same thing after they denied my entry, gosh it sure doesn't pay to be too honest which is a shame. As I said before I have gone to Canada my whole life with my parents and now that I am older my boyfriend and I want to be able to go and travel and it's too bad now that we have to wonder if after driving for over five hours if we will get in or not. I no longer have a modeling contact in Canada and do want to travel there in the future for fun but am scared that is why I wanted to get a work permit just in case but apparently I can't just get one. Oh well I guess I will just have to wait and see!

Thanks again and take care!
Laughing

Shannon

nmcb · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 6:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Shannon,

I am not a cross-border expert, and so I will just comment on personal experiences and from experiences of my colleagues. I cross the US/Canada border frequently for business and personal reasons. IMOH... getting "red flagged" is up to the discretion of the border officials. I once had trouble entering the US, but I was told that they would not enter the rejection into their computer database. The incident delayed my travel for a week. In another trip, I was asked if I had resided in Texas. I said no asked why. The official told me that they were looking for a person having the same name and profile. We joked about not arresting me, and I was cleared to enter without incident/delay. Ironically, for me, going to the US is much easier than returning to Canada. Just my luck... in my last four entries, I had the same agent... and she constantly challenged my reasons for travels. I'm guessing my previous reasons have been entered into the database.

If you are concerned about being able to enter Canada, the best thing to do is to purchase a round trip ticket. Having a return ticket will show to the Canadian border officials that you will return to the US.

Good luck.
Neil

demoman · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 3:53 pm Post subject: Entry to Canada

Hi Neil, thanks for the advise. The reason we drive is that we are so close and it's nice to have a car up there. I would hope that they would not deny my entry in the future just based on a past experience but who knows. I am trying to find out my rights so that I will be prepared in the future. It is so odd to me that Canada is so hard to get into. I have been going to Mexico just about as long as Canada and it's a breeze down there. I am still shocked at being denied and next time will also be prepared with my passport and ID.

Thanks again so much and take care!

Shannon
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Shannon R. Graham

rocos · Baggage Handler Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 5 6 ants

If I have time & money, I will go to Canada!
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aaron · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 4:53 pm Post subject:

rocos... on seeing your first two posts here, I'd like to draw your attention to point 3 on this link, and to the bit that reads "don't post lots of short messages just to boost your ant count". Other members of the board could be forgiven for thinking that you might also be posting just for the sake of getting your sig file seen, and this won't go down too well with me or them. Please take this on board before posting again.

Thank you

Aaron
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Red Tape · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 2:06 pm Post subject: Border crossing

demoman: Which I-5 crossing are you using? I'm assuming that you're driving up from Portland to Vancouver. You do know the shortcut around the crowds don't you?

demoman · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:31 pm Post subject: Red Tape

Hey there. I do take I-5 and there wasn't any traffic but no, I don't know the shortcut... I am still a little pissed/scared to even try to go back lol. I think it's going to be a very, very long time before I pick Canada as my travel destination but if you were willing to share the shortcut with me that would be awesome!

Thanks so much!

Shannon
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Shannon R. Graham

Red Tape · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:03 pm Post subject:

Use the truck crossing. Its the last exit before the main crossing at Blaine. I've never had more than 2 cars in front of me when I come to a stop. Smile

demoman · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:29 pm Post subject: Red Tape

Thanks so much for the info, I will be sure to use that next time around. I appreciate you taking the time, have a wonderful day!

Shannon
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Shannon R. Graham

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