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Work in Canada without a Work Permit
Business Visitors
The business traders may enter in Canada but they are not admissible into Canadian Labor Market. All the businessmen entering Canada must follow the general criteria-
After Sales Service
If a product is purchased from outside of Canada, after-sales service providers may enter Canada to repair, check, train the users or staff, and set up the equipment. These service details must be entailed in the contract of sale for the equipment.
Board of Directors Meetings
If a foreign visitor is a member of the director’s board, he/she may enter Canada for a meeting without needing a work permit. However, this doesn’t allow them to enter the Canadian labor market.
Employees of Short-Term Temporary Residents
Temporary residents in Canada may employ individuals in a personal capacity for full-time. These individuals will also fall under the category of business visitors. The profession includes domestic service, personal assistance, etc. in this situation. If this visitor stays for longer than 6 months, then LMIA and work permit would be needed.
Employees of Foreign Companies Contracting Canadian Companies
When foreign companies are in a contractual relationship with Canadian companies, they may send their employees for work-related purposes. The employees coming to Canada will be considered as business visitors and can stay up to two years, if
Foreign Representatives and their Family Members
The foreign representatives and Diplomats to UN, along with their personal staff and family members, may work in Canada without a work permit. These representatives must have authorization by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).
A ‘no objection letter’ by the Protocol Department of DFAIT to work without a work permit is required for the family members and the personal staff of foreign representatives.
Military Personnel
Military and civilian personnel, along with their families, may work and study in Canada under the Visiting Forces Act without permits. The exemptions extend to their family members, as well. The military personnel are even exempted from requirements for a passport, a temporary visa and medical examinations.
Foreign Government Officers
Foreign government officials who are not accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) can be brought to Canada when the Canadian Government is a party to agreements with other countries. These foreign officers require a contract from Canada’s public service commission. Assignments lasting longer than 3 months require a formal letter of agreement between the foreign officer and Canadian employer if the officer is working below an executive capacity.
Family members of officers are covered under this exemption. They will be issued an open work permit.
American Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Officers
Some Canadian and American crews jointly work in cross-bordered law enforcement. While working in Canadian territory, the American crew may fulfill their duties without any further authorization.
In-Flight Security Officers (IFSOs)
Foreign governments designate the IFSOs to ensure safety on foreign aircraft. Their duties do not extend beyond providing security on board a foreign aircraft under this exemption. However, IFSOs from certain countries require a temporary Resident Visa to perform their work.
On-Campus Employment
A student may work on-campus at their institution of study if they meet either of the following conditions:
The candidate must remain in full- time studies. The authorization is valid up to the duration of the study permit. A candidate attending multiple institutions in different cities is restricted to work on-campus in his/her residential city. Research workers or teaching assistants as a part of the research may be considered as on-campus workers. The students must satisfy the additional criteria mentioned below –
Performing Artists
The foreign performing artists may work in Canada without securing a work permit. However, some of them require a work permit to work in Canada. The performing artist cannot enter into Canadian employment under this exemption.
Entry Without a Work Permit
Work Permit and LMIA Required
- Bands performing at bars, pubs, restaurants, etc
- Actors, singers, crew, etc in Canadian theatrical productions, shows, circuses
- Foreign-based musical and theatrical individuals and groups and their essential crew, working outside bars and restaurants
- Individuals involved in making films, TV, internet or radio broadcasts
- Street performers (buskers), DJs working outside a bar, restaurant or similar establishment
- Individuals who will be in an employment relationship with the organization or business contracting for their services in Canada
- A foreign or traveling circus
- Performers in a Canadian-based production or show
- Guest artists (not employed) within a Canadian performance group for a time-limited engagement
- Rodeo performers or side show workers (e.g., rodeo clowns and announcers, horsemanship or trick riding displays, ‘half-time acts’ and other specialty act entertainers)
- Persons performing at a private event, such as a wedding
- Artists attending or working at a showcase/workshop which may include competing, judging competitors, demonstrating their skill, holding a class related to the showcase/workshop
- Wrestlers from the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) (and similar groups)
- Air show performers
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly CIC) have outlined the category of artists who may work in Canada without a work permit.
They are-
Athletes and Team Members
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) permit the following individuals who may be admissible under this exemption:
The spouses of professional athletes are also qualified for a Labour Market Impact Assessment-exempt work permit.
News Reporters, Media Crews
Journalists, media crews and news reporters come to Canada in order to report on events in Canada. The duration of their work must not exceed six months to fall under LMIA- exemption categories.
Crews which come to shoot documentaries, prologues, etc. need to secure a work permit. However, the discretion in this exemption lies in the hand of the Visa officer to grant the permission.
Public Speakers
Guest speakers arriving in Canada do not need a work permit or LMIA for the seminar, lasting not more than five days.
However, if the commercial speakers are hired by the Canadian entity to have a vested interest in charging admission or advertise for the event, they have to secure a work permit and an LMIA.
clergy
This category includes spiritual and religious workers. Their primary duties should be reflected as a religious objective. However, they still need to get a work permit to perform their job. Under this exemption, an individual is required to provide the following attestations-
Convention Organizers
The individuals who come to Canada to organize a convention, seminar or conference are covered under this category. They are hired by a Canadian organization, and the event would be a Canadian event, recognized by IRCC. The individuals attending these conventions would be LMIA- exempted and also, work- permit exempted.
Judges, Referees, and Similar Officials
Judges, referees and similar officials may be admitted to Canada for amateur sports, artistic, cultural events or competitions. These events must be hosted by a Canadian organization. In order to participate, they need to secure a work permit first.
health care students
Foreign students who are working in the health care sector may participate in clinical internships or short- term practicum in Canada, do not need to obtain a permit. The practicum should be unpaid and not exceed four months. If it requires more than four months in Canada, they have to apply for a work permit.
Examiners and Evaluators
without obtaining a work permit, foreign professors and researchers may come to Canada for the evaluation of thesis and projects conducted under them.
Expert Witnesses or Investigators
Experts who come to Canada to conduct analysis or surveys to use them as evidence, or to testify as expert witnesses before the court of law do not require a work permit.
crew
Crew members may work in an operation, maintenance, or passenger service capacity without securing a work permit. The means of transportation should be foreign-owned, used in international transportation, and not registered in Canada.
Civil Aviation Inspectors
Flight operations and cabin safety Inspectors employed by a recognized aeronautical authority who hold valid documentation proving this fact do not need a work permit to inspect commercial international flights.
Aviation Accident or Incident Inspector
Accredited officers and advisers may continue their work without a permit while investigating on an aviation case or incident. However, the investigation must be conducted under the supervision of the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board.
Emergency Service Providers
People who enter Canada with the motive of saving life and property during disasters or commercial accidents may do so without a work permit.
Canada and the United States have entered into a specific agreement to allow the movement of emergency health and aid workers, such as insurance adjusters, doctors, etc., across the border between them.
Implied Status
Sometimes, individuals may continue to work when their work permit has expired, provided that they have applied for the new one, already. While the application is in process, they must stay in Canada to ensure implied status. Once the application is processed, they may continue to work in Canada.
