Do I need a visa?

Hi all! I am really glad this forum exists. I have a really hard time understanding this process! Ok, so this is my situation.

I leave in a few weeks to do a canoe trip for 6 weeks in the US with a guy I know. I know there is no problem with the trip but the opportunity just arose for me to help him out on his property for a few months, not a job or a volunteer thing just helping him out. It would be from april to oct with a week break in the middle, totaling 187 days. How do I do this? Do I need a visa? Are there any problems? Thanks.

Unfortunately "helping him out" if it could be paid work means you must have work authorization, technically speaking.

Legally you can usually (there are various exemptions, but this doesn't sound like it would be one of them) only visit for 183 days total in a calendar year and you must maintain an abode abroad. If you're going to be visiting for a long time it's a good idea to bring proof with you, such as a bank statement, lease agreement, things like that.

Unfortunately "helping him out" if it could be paid work means you must have work authorization, technically speaking.

Legally you can usually (there are various exemptions, but this doesn't sound like it would be one of them) only visit for 183 days total in a calendar year and you must maintain an abode abroad. If you're going to be visiting for a long time it's a good idea to bring proof with you, such as a bank statement, lease agreement, things like that.

So "work authorization" means a visa of some sort? I can cut that down to 183 days, I am sure, but it would probably seem weird to them that I was there for exactly the right period.

You couldn't get work authorization in this situation, there's no relevant category.

You couldn't get work authorization in this situation, there's no relevant category.

Ok, so I guess helping him out is out of the question. I could still go and visit for up to 6 month without a visa though, yeah?

Would documents showing that: I am getting married in Canada at X date and plane tickets to leave Canada for Australia right after the visit work as proof I wasn't immigrating illegally? (on top of money in the bank and proof of residence)

I am just trying to get a rounded idea of my options.

The more evidence you have the better. It seems to me if you're over 55 they are more laid back about it because they assume you're a snowbird, but people who are younger get more of a grilling. From a legal standpoint, what they're looking for is proof of abode abroad and proof you have sufficient funds to cover your stay, so evidence that establishes that is what you need.

Bank statement with a foreign address on it is what I usually use.

The more evidence you have the better. It seems to me if you're over 55 they are more laid back about it because they assume you're a snowbird, but people who are younger get more of a grilling. From a legal standpoint, what they're looking for is proof of abode abroad and proof you have sufficient funds to cover your stay, so evidence that establishes that is what you need.

Bank statement with a foreign address on it is what I usually use.

Great! I think I am getting a better understanding of how this works. I got denied entry and flagged last September for trying to take a course in the US (without a visa) and get credit from a Canadian school for it. I can see now all the things I did wrong to make that situation a mess. Does being "flagged" present much of a problem? The guard didn't really explain what that means.

:edit: Ok, so being flagged, what do I need to do to be able to JUST go for the 6 weeks. What is most reliable pile of things I can show the border guard to get me across? Any ideas are welcome.

If you've been formally denied entry you will have difficulty getting in, it's at the discretion of the inspecting officer.

But lots of evidence you intend to leave would help, lease/rent agreement, property title, bank statement, contract of employment, etc.