Not Working vs. Having a Photography Exhibit

[ACS]

Would they consider it working for someone here on a Visitor to have a Photography Exhibit where the pieces were just on display and not for sale?

 

[frege]

Would they consider it working for someone here on a Visitor to have a Photography Exhibit where the pieces were just on display and not for sale?

Probably not, but I'm not sure. You can find out more about what is considered work for immigration purposes by consulting operational manual FW1.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/

There are specific conditions that apply to US citizens under NAFTA, so apart from what's in FW1, look into what a "business visitor" is under NAFTA.

 

[mad_dr]

Good advice above but I'd presume that the key thing would be: if you're earning money that is paid to you by Canadians (or a Canadian company) for work you do in Canada, that's classed as 'working'.

IE volunteering isn't working (you're not depriving anyone of a wage). Being employed by a foreign company and doing work while you're visiting Canada isn't working (Example: you're employed as a personal assistant in the USA, you come to Canada on holiday (paid leave) and take phone calls/send emails related to work).

Taking photos and giving them away wouldn't be classed as working: you're not earning any money from it. So taking photos and showing them to people isn't working.

 

[frege]

Good advice above but I'd presume that the key thing would be: if you're earning money that is paid to you by Canadians (or a Canadian company) for work you do in Canada, that's classed as 'working'.

IE volunteering isn't working (you're not depriving anyone of a wage). Being employed by a foreign company and doing work while you're visiting Canada isn't working (Example: you're employed as a personal assistant in the USA, you come to Canada on holiday (paid leave) and take phone calls/send emails related to work).

Taking photos and giving them away wouldn't be classed as working: you're not earning any money from it. So taking photos and showing them to people isn't working.

I agree generally, but there are cases where unpaid work counts as work, for example an unpaid internship. CIC says that what matters is whether you're competing with citizens and permanent residents in a way that might potentially take work opportunities away from them. This is the general principle, but of course the specifics are more complicated.