eTA and look for a job

[FelipeB]

Hello.

Im from a country in which I have the option to use an eTA(Electronic Travel Authorization) to get myself into Canada. My question is: Using this, can I look for a job while im there to apply for a work permit?. Or the eTA only works as a visitor visa-ish?.

Also, the canadian website itself wasnt too clear about the extension of the use of the eTA. So, for how long could I visit Canada using the eTA?. The website itself says that it last for 5 years or until the passport expires. But I also read that it depends of the person that lets you in into Canada, and that it cant go longer than 6 months and then I would have to extend it if I wanna stay for more time. If thats the case then, the process of extending it is too hard, do I any special document?

I know its a lot of questions, but I dont wanna have any doubts when it comes to this. I really wanna go to Canada as soon as possible, hopefully as soon as im done with college and be able to work a full time job in my area.

 

[Bs65]

An ETA is simply an authorisation for visa exempt passport holders to board a plane destined for Canada and not permission to enter Canada that will be decided by CBSA on arrival with no more than 6 months per visit as a visitor but could be less.

Sure you could look for a job whilst a visitor in Canada but should not really as a visitor declare that to CBSA as the purpose of your visit.

Your chances of actually finding a job are probably pretty slim as that would need an employer to sponsor you through an LMIA which costs them time and money when they could just employ someone already resident.

Given anyway the time it would take to process such an application would likely far exceed your initial stay as a visitor so not only would you need significant funds to support yourself without working you could not avoid extending your stay as a visitor. The latter apart from a fee is not that complicated to do beyond a convincing reason to extend, such as more Canada to visit than time that you were given for example.

You do not say which country you are from given some visa exempt countries have the opportunity of participating in the IEC program which supports varying lengths of open work permits.

 

[FelipeB]

Im from Chile and if im not mistaken I can choose to participate in the Working Holiday program, among other ones but the other ones ask me to have an existing job offer. Working Holiday would allow me to have an open work permit, if im accepted from the pool of people.

If funds are not an issue, could I visit canada using an ETA and at the same time participate on the Working Holiday programm(pretty much waiting to be selected from the pool)?. Or to be viable for the programs I have to be outside of Canada?.

 

[Sulwyn]

Im from Chile and if im not mistaken I can choose to participate in the Working Holiday program, among other ones but the other ones ask me to have an existing job offer. Working Holiday would allow me to have an open work permit, if im accepted from the pool of people.

If funds are not an issue, could I visit canada using an ETA and at the same time participate on the Working Holiday programm(pretty much waiting to be selected from the pool)?. Or to be viable for the programs I have to be outside of Canada?.

Yes you can visit Canada while waiting to be accepted into the pool and your application approved. You would need to flag pole to activate your visa once it is approved though.