Hi. I would like to ask for advice on VISA solution(s). My situation is as follows

I am a Swedish citizen. I have been admitted to study in Montréal, within an exchange programme, for my masters during the period august 2011-april 2012. Seeing as this is a period longer than 6 months I will require a Student Visa to study. I have further been invited to stay during summer 2011 with my canadian girlfriend at Iles de la Madeleine, Québec. I would like to work there from middle june until the end of August. I don't have a job offer and I estimate it difficult to obtain one while still in Sweden. From what I have understood I (may) have two options:

1) Travel to Canada as a tourist. Look for employment and once given a job offer, apply for a Work Permit, an LMO etc. Since I would have to do this at a port of entry or via a Canadian embassy abroad, I expect that maybe this process will take long time? Will it be a problem that I would also be in possession of a Student Visa required for my studies beginning in late August ?

2) Apply for a Working Holiday Visa (International Experience Canada), thus having an open work permit and being more easily employed. However, the question remains, can I hold this Visa at the same time as a Student Visa or is it even possible that this Visa would make the Student Visa redundant, that is to say can it replace the Student Visa ?

Which option is the better?

Thanks for any help and suggestions!

Johan

If you are eligible for a youth program visa, it would certainly fit better with your plans. Your option 1 would be the alternative, but a CAQ would also be required for work in the province of Quebec prior to being able to seek the work permit.