How to contact Immigration Canada while I am in Canada?

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The 120-day exemption for short-term researchers is a public policy exemption (not listed in the Regulations). Unlike statutory exemptions that may be self-executing, an explicit request needs to be made and an officer has to grant this public policy exemption at port of entry or a Canadian consulate abroad.

The intent of this exemption is to attract specialized foreign researchers for short periods of time. Therefore, only foreign nationals outside Canada are eligible for this exemption.

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption for 15, 30 or 120 consecutive days from the requirements of the Regulations identified below to a foreign national seeking to enter Canada if: ...

Additionally, if you receive a salary or stipend (or other financial compensation in exchange of work) from a Canadian source, you would need a Canadian social insurance number. If you do not already have one, the application requires a work permit or a visitor record authorizing employment, which you can only obtain at a port of entry.

Therefore, you need to leave Canada and re-enter before being able to benefit from the work permit exemption. Now, you may be able to satisfy this requirement by simply crossing the Ambassado Bridge at Windsor and turn back ("flagpoling"). But the planning and feasiblity of flagpoling in this case may depend on your nationality and the type and status of your visa and study permit.

A formal way to receive a non-binding assessment is for your employer to apply for an opinion (again it's non-binding!) of the International Mobility Workers Unit, but this requires a complete application package with a lot more details and the cooperation of your employer.

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I was on a student visa in Canada that incorrectly said I wasn't eligible to work. It was a real pain to fix, but I digress.

At one point I did just drive down to the border and walk in. I didn't have to exit Canada and re-enter in order to talk to someone (but as an American, this wouldn't have been a problem for me), there was just a lot on the other side.

They didn't help much, but I forget the details. If the border is close/convenient to you, it might be worth a shot.

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