Working remotely in Canada for Australian employer

[adro93]

I will be travelling to Canada with my partner for 6 months to visit his family. I am an Australian citizen, and my partner is a Canadian citizen.

I anticipate entering Canada on an eTA. I would like to work remotely for my Australian employer during my stay in Canada. The organisation has no clients or ties in Canada.

I would appreciate any advice or thoughts on the following:
1. Will I have any trouble entering Canada at the border if I don’t have a return flight booked?
2. Do I need a work visa to work remotely in Canada? My research suggests that remote work by a non-resident for a foreign employer is not considered work under Canadian immigration guidelines.
3. What, if anything, do I need to say to the border officer if they ask me about my plans in Canada?

Note: I am aware remote working can introduce tax obligations for my Australian employer. They will be applying for a waiver under the tax treaty. My questions are about visa requirements and entrance at the border.

 

[scylla]

I will be travelling to Canada with my partner for 6 months to visit his family. I am an Australian citizen, and my partner is a Canadian citizen.

I anticipate entering Canada on an eTA. I would like to work remotely for my Australian employer during my stay in Canada. The organisation has no clients or ties in Canada.

I would appreciate any advice or thoughts on the following:
1. Will I have any trouble entering Canada at the border if I don’t have a return flight booked?
2. Do I need a work visa to work remotely in Canada? My research suggests that remote work by a non-resident for a foreign employer is not considered work under Canadian immigration guidelines.
3. What, if anything, do I need to say to the border officer if they ask me about my plans in Canada?

Note: I am aware remote working can introduce tax obligations for my Australian employer. They will be applying for a waiver under the tax treaty. My questions are about visa requirements and entrance at the border.

1. No one can answer this question definitively. Airlines generally prefer you to have two way tickets if you are a visitor. Sometimes they demand this to allow boarding. So it's possible you could have issues boarding your flight to Canada and may have to purchase a return ticket to be allowed on. However most likely you won't. In terms of arriving in Canada, CBSA determines how long you are allowed into Canada when you arrive. Since you are an eTA holder, most likely you'll be allowed in for the default six months. There is some chance they may give you less time and some chance they may not like the fact you only have a one way ticket. Most likely it won't be an issue.
2. No work visa needed.
3. You just say you're visiting.

 

[ditomathew]

Just wanted to know if you ever did this. Were there any questions from CBSA regarding your work?

 

[Paz07]

1. No one can answer this question definitively. Airlines generally prefer you to have two way tickets if you are a visitor. Sometimes they demand this to allow boarding. So it's possible you could have issues boarding your flight to Canada and may have to purchase a return ticket to be allowed on. However most likely you won't. In terms of arriving in Canada, CBSA determines how long you are allowed into Canada when you arrive. Since you are an eTA holder, most likely you'll be allowed in for the default six months. There is some chance they may give you less time and some chance they may not like the fact you only have a one way ticket. Most likely it won't be an issue.
2. No work visa needed.
3. You just say you're visiting.

Hi Scylla,
you sound like the expert here, what is your qualification?
I am looking for conformation that an Australian can enter Canada as a visitor on an eTA for an 8 week holiday, but spend 2 weeks of that holiday performing work for an Australia employer. From what I can see working remotely has no imagration issues as the primary reson is holiday. Re tax it would seem as a visitor and working remotely for an Australian company for just 2 weeks means the individual does not (and the company does not) need to register or pay tax in Canada. Re the ATO it looks like again the short period of time would not require any additional tax performances.
Can you please point me to any information that confirms this or contradicts this.
Many Thanks
Paz07

 

[scylla]

Hi Scylla,
you sound like the expert here, what is your qualification?
I am looking for conformation that an Australian can enter Canada as a visitor on an eTA for an 8 week holiday, but spend 2 weeks of that holiday performing work for an Australia employer. From what I can see working remotely has no imagration issues as the primary reson is holiday. Re tax it would seem as a visitor and working remotely for an Australian company for just 2 weeks means the individual does not (and the company does not) need to register or pay tax in Canada. Re the ATO it looks like again the short period of time would not require any additional tax performances.
Can you please point me to any information that confirms this or contradicts this.
Many Thanks
Paz07

I'm just a normal person. I have no qualifications. You'll need to hire a lawyer or immigration consultant if you are looking for advice from someone with qualifications.