Flying+Working in YVR every two months; eTA/work-permit?
 

I wont shed too much light about the why, but I am evaluating an idea which would include:
- fly to YVR every two months
- stay+work there for two weeks
- three other workers doing the same in an offset of two weeks
The work/business model would fit what immigration lists as a "Business Visitor":
Business Visitor do not require Work permit in Canada - Canada Immigration and Visa Information. Canadian Immigration Services and Free Online Evaluation.
Keypoints applied here, it's not working for something that affects within Canada, we plainly want to
"exploit" the timezone difference (24h operations with very skilled personell).

While we could work out of a hotel/airbnb, some permanent residence would be preferrable, but there
the "???" starts to happen. Like how to rent something from abroad and so on :-)

I know that this idea is outright crazy, and I've some flamethrower protection suite on - but would also
value some input on maybe making this happen.

Just to be clear, eTA is what people get to visit Canada if on a non visa requirement passport. So basically most so called “1st world countries”. Excluding USA.

Having a work permit doesn’t exempt you from getting and needing an eTA. The only exceptions to eTA if from a country that requires one are CoPR, PR card, or obviously you don’t need one on Canadian/US passport. If you are on say a Indian passport, you need a visa, not an eTA. There may be an exemption for say US PR card holders, diplomatic passports etc but I’m covering the basics.

Now all that aside ... If you are entering Canada to work, even if it’s not for a Canadian company except to get interrogated and potentially rejected and be extremely clear what you are doing lest you get barred for a year or more, subject to secondary every visit and you’d need to declare it on any future application.

I don’t know enough about your plans nor am I am expert on the various options that don’t require a permit... I suggest you contact CIC directly (could be time consuming) or hire a lawyer / immigration specialist. I have a couple of experiences with companies that I will happily share over PM if you want.

Theres also a few good immigration sites out there, but to be honest without full details of your plan no one can tell you for sure. And I am not and wouldn’t suggest posting them here, I think you are better off going direct with an expert here; people say the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. CIC is a 3rd.

Right, I forgot that part. All workers have german passports, so eTA isnt a problem at first.
And yeah, noone knows how it'll play out in the end.

About the immigration specialist.. we're not really immigrating, are we? :)

I am in Ottawa early June and will ask some officials about it.

Alright.. we dont want to trick the system - but staying at the minimum effort to have it fully legal.
If this means we found a chapter in CND and pay taxes there, so be it.

Technically, if you are receiving payments, remuneration or benefits in exchange for your services while in Canada, you may be considered as working; thus, you would need a work permit in order to stay.
I would highly suggest that you consult with an immigration expert so they can give you advice on this front. Without knowledge of the type of business you are engaging, it's hard to tell if a Business Vistor would suffice.

My first thought when I read this was that you are not a business visitor because you will be working. But then I read this page:
What is a business visitor?

It suggests that if you are not directly entering the Canadian labour market, and your main source of income and place of business is outside of Canada, then you may be okay.

What this does show is that normal business people should not try to figure this out on their own. Ask a professional, or CIC.
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13F

So is there relationship with a business in Canada? It's not clear from your posts.

If not, then I don't see how you would be considered a business visitor as first thing CBSA is going to ask is a copy of a contract/service agreement/host letter from a Canadian business.