Hi everyone,

I work for a global management consultancy firm here in Australia (I have an Australian passport). The company has a project starting up in Canada that urgently requires me to be there within the next week to provide some advice on how to go about the project. I understand that I can enter Canada as a 'Business Visitor' without a Visa or Work Permit for a short period of time to attend a few of the initial meetings required for the project to start.

The situation gets more complicated if the company wants me to stay on and assist with the actual project implementation (which is likely). They are happy to sponsor my Visa and my profession belongs to a work category that does not require a LMO so it should be all good.

But can I apply for a work permit whilst in Canada? I understand it has to be initiated in my country of residence (Australia). I assume I can send the right paperwork to them via courier from Canada? Will they be happy to send the approval documents to me in Canada?

And will I have to re-enter Canada if the work permit is approved, to 'activate' it? The ideal situation would be for me to apply for the work permit and wait for it to be approved whilst sitting here in Australia, but the project can't wait that long. Would Canadian immigration have any issue seeing a one-way ticket booked for the country and entering as a 'Business Visitor'?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you very much!

You can process the work permit after you have already arrived in Canada. You would have to submit it to either the visa office in Australia or one in the USA. You may also have the option of processing it at a port of entry. Other than the latter scenario, you would be required to return to a port of entry from outside Canada to be issued the work permit.

Entering Canada as a visitor with a one way ticket is likely to raise questions.

Thank you very much David. Your time is appreciated.

May I ask, if I arrive at a port of entry and have a ticket that indicates a returning date of three months from departure, would that cause a fuss? Especially if they ask me the purpose of my visit and I indicate 'business'? Would they get funny about the fact that I'll be there for three months on 'business'? I fully intend on applying for a work permit as soon as I arrive, but it's imperative that I be there next week without hassle.

Would it be better to have a ticket with a return date of just a month or so from departure, and then change the ticket return date when the work permit is granted? Is this allowed i.e. I am allowed to stay up to six months as an Australian? No date stamp on passport or anything?

Thank you again!