Can I enter Canada on tourist visa then activate IEC a week later?

[natalie22]

I have a question about the IEC Working Holiday Visa that I cannot find an answer to online.

I will be travelling to Canada in November as a tourist (on my Australian passport), however I wish to apply for the IEC Working Holiday Visa prior to this. If my visa is granted, am I able to enter Canada as a tourist only and then activate the IEC Visa a week later? I have a flight booked out of Canada for a week after I arrive but I may want to change the date of the flight and stay in Canada to work for a year - however due to family commitments I won't know if this is possible until the time that I enter Canada. I may instead need to return to Australia for a couple of months and then return to Canada, in which case I ideally wouldn't want to use up part of the Visa validity period whilst I am back in Australia, nor ideally would I want to be paying for medical insurance to cover me in Canada whilst in Australia.

I hope someone can help!

 

[aussiepete]

As an Australian Passport holder you will be able to enter Canada for 6 months without a visa. If you get a working visa you will have to leave Canada and re-enter to activate it. The problem you will run into is when you arrive in Canada without a work permit and tell them you have or are going to apply for one. They might deny you entry as you are telling them you may not return home.