Moving to BC without a visa

[vancouvergong]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if it's possible to move to Canada without a work visa, with all your belongings? Will the U.S. and Canada border immigration officers allow this?

(Short context: Living in California, I secured a job in Vancouver and then put a deposit down on an apartment in Yaletown. Shortly after, the company retracted my job offer because they had lost their current project, but told me that they would still want to hire me 3 months later. My ideal plan is to stay in the apartment that we rented - when we finally get the work visa with the company, go through all the necessary paperwork.)

Thanks and I appreciate any input!

 

[scylla]

Without a work permit, you're only allowed to enter Canada as a visitor.

If you show up looking like you're moving, it's entirely possible you may be denied entry for attempting to move to Canada when you don't the right visa. Worst case scenario you could be given an exclusion order for a year.

I would hold off moving your stuff until you actually have the work permit. If you need to come up now, bring one suitcase and then return for the rest once you have the actual work permit.

 

[links18]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if it's possible to move to Canada without a work visa, with all your belongings? Will the U.S. and Canada border immigration officers allow this?

(Short context: Living in California, I secured a job in Vancouver and then put a deposit down on an apartment in Yaletown. Shortly after, the company retracted my job offer because they had lost their current project, but told me that they would still want to hire me 3 months later. My ideal plan is to stay in the apartment that we rented - when we finally get the work visa with the company, go through all the necessary paperwork.)

Thanks and I appreciate any input!

Not a good idea. If you plan to enter Canada as a visitor, you better have a good explanation for what you are doing and where you are going and be prepared to show continuing ties to the US and the intention to return there.

You may be issued a visitor record that might require you to leave Canada at a particular time.

 

[Leon]

Coming to the border with all your stuff is asking for trouble. Just take a suitcase or two. Pack your stuff and put it in storage. You can get someone to mail you the most important boxes and the rest you can go and collect when you get your work permit.