Work in Canada Without a Work Permit 2023

Generally, foreign workers in Canada need work permits, although there are exceptions. Learn all you need to know about Work in Canada Without a Work Permit by navigating the menu below.

Types of jobs you can Work in Canada Without a Work Permit

There are some cases in which foreign nationals are permitted to work in Canada without having a legal work permit. Here are the instances:

1. Business Visitors
2. Foreign Representatives and their Family
3. American Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Officers
4. Foreign Government Officers
5. Military Personnel
6. Public Speakers
7. Performing Artists
8. Athletes and Team Members
9. News Reporters
10. In-flight Security Officers
11. Student Working On-Campus
12. Examiners and Evaluators
13. Expert Witnesses and Investigators
14. Health Care Students
15. Civil Aviation Inspectors
16. Aviation Accident or Incident Inspector
17. Emergency Service Providers
18. Judges, Referees, and Similar Officials
19. Clergy
20. Crew Member

1. Business Visitors

This wide category permits the admission of people who participate in business or commercial operations in Canada but do not intend to join the Canadian labour market. There are other subcategories under this category; however, all business visitors must fulfill the following general requirements:

• No intention of entering the Canadian labour market is required.
• The worker’s activities in Canada must have an international reach.

The following conditions are assumed for business visitors to Canada who are employed by a foreign employer:

• Outside of Canada is the primary source of worker’s compensation.
• The primary place of employment is outside of Canada.
• The employee’s earnings are generated outside of Canada.

Business visitors should be prepared to provide immigration authorities proof of their intended status in Canada when they arrive in the country. Case-by-case, this documentation will differ. Frequently, documents like a letter of support from a parent company or an invitation letter from a Canadian company can assist to increase one’s chances of being accepted as a business visitor.

2. Foreign Representatives and their Family

Without a work permit, foreign representatives, as well as their personal employees and family members, can work in Canada. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) should provide accreditation to foreign representatives. This exemption also includes diplomatic representatives to United Nations offices in Canada.

To work without a work permit, family members of foreign representatives must get a letter of “no objection” from the Protocol Department of DFAIT.

3. American Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Officers

Some cross-border law enforcement vessels are crewed jointly by Americans and Canadians. These individuals work on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the border. On Canadian territory, American Crew members can perform their job without any work permit.

4. Foreign Government Officers

Canada is a party to international accords that mandate the international exchange of government employees. Through these agreements, foreign employees may be recruited to Canada to work for a federal or provincial government department or agency. These individuals are neither affiliated with a foreign mission or organization nor are they accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).

Executive-level officers in this position must have a contract with Canada’s Public Service Commission (PSC). Officers below the executive level are not required to sign a contract; nevertheless, missions lasting more than three months should be accompanied by a written letter of agreement between the officer and their Canadian employer.

In general, family members of officers eligible for this exemption will be awarded an open work permit or be excused from the permit requirement while in Canada.

5. Military Personnel

The Visiting Forces Act authorizes military and civilian personnel in Canada to work and study without a work permit. These exemptions also apply to these persons’ families.

6. Public Speakers

Without a work permit, seminar leaders, guest speakers at events, and commercial speakers can all deliver presentations in Canada. In the context of this exemption, the term “seminar” refers to a small class or an intensive study course that lasts for no more than five days.

7. Performing Artists

Some international performers are permitted to work in Canada without a work permit. To qualify for this exemption, the foreign national must satisfy the following requirements:

• You are a foreign artist or a significant member of the artist’s team.
• You will perform in Canada for a length of time.
• The organization that contracted you will not recruit you for a permanent position in Canada.
• You will not participate in the creation of a television, radio, or film broadcast.

8. Athletes and Team Members

If you are a foreign national who is participating in Canada as a member of a foreign sporting team, you may not need a work permit. This provision applies to athletes, coaches, and other foreign team members.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provide the following examples of those who may qualify for this exemption:

• Pet owners from abroad entering their animals in a show
• Amateur Canadian team members
• Jockeys racing horses from foreign-based stables
• Drivers of race cars
• People taking part in professional team tryouts
• Members of an international team competing in Canada
• Part-time or full-time trainers and coaches
• Grooms or team support members

9. News Reporters

It is not necessary to get a work permit for news reporters travelling to Canada to cover events there. Journalists can be included among them as long as their employer is not a Canadian company. However, this does not include managerial or clerical workers unless they are handling special events lasting less than six months.

10. In-flight Security Officers (IFSOs)

Foreign IFSOs are designated by foreign governments to ensure the safety of foreign aircraft. Because they are designated by a foreign government, they are permitted to work in Canada without a work permit so long as their responsibilities do not extend beyond providing security aboard a foreign aircraft.

11. Student Working On-Campus

If a student satisfies one of the following requirements, they can work on campus at their institution of study:

• They have a valid study permit.
• They attend one of the following kinds of schools full-time:
• A public post-secondary institution (i.e. College or university) or a collège d’enseignement général at professional (CEGEP).
• A college-level private institution in Quebec.
• A private Canadian institution permitted to provide degrees.

The authorization to work on campus is valid for the term of the study permit, provided the student maintains full-time study.

12. Examiners and Evaluators

Foreign academics and researchers may need to visit Canada to evaluate their students’ theses and projects. In this circumstance, they may do so without a work permit.

13. Expert Witnesses and Investigators

Experts who need to enter Canada to perform surveys or analyses that may be used as evidence or to testify as expert witnesses before a regulatory agency or court of law may do so without a work permit.

14. Health Care Students

Foreign healthcare students studying at foreign institutions are permitted to participate in clinical clerkships and short-term practicums in Canada without work permits. Medical, nursing, medical technology, and occupational and physical therapy are among the disciplines that students may study. Such internships should be unpaid and limited to a maximum duration of four months.

Foreign healthcare students who will be paid for their employment in Canada or who will stay more than four months in the country are required to get a work permit.

15. Civil Aviation Inspectors

Flight operations and cabin safety inspectors are permitted to inspect international flights without work authorization. Inspectors must be engaged by a recognized aeronautical authority and own valid documentation attesting to this fact.

16. Aviation Accident or Incident Inspector

Assisting in the investigation of an aviation accident or incident is permissible without a work authorization for accredited representatives and advisors. The investigation should be performed under the authority of the Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board of Canada Act.

17. Emergency Service Providers

Workers entering Canada to offer emergency services are permitted to do so without a work permit. The objective of their job should be the protection of life and property in the event of natural disasters or commercial accidents.

18. Judges, Referees, and Similar Officials

To take part in international amateur sports, artistic, agricultural, or cultural events, judges, referees, etc. May go to Canada.

Competitions in amateur sports should be arranged by an international amateur sports organization and hosted by a Canadian organization. In this context, “amateur” refers to a competition in which competitors are not paid.

19. Clergy

A person whose occupation is to preach, oversee religious services, or give spiritual counselling may work in Canada without a work permit. People may be lay people, members of a religious order, or ordained ministers. The temporary worker does not need to belong to or have the same beliefs as the particular religious community where they will work.

The temporary worker’s major responsibilities should be in line with a certain religious goal, such as providing religious instruction or promoting a certain faith.

20. Crew Member

If a crew member is working on a vehicle that is foreign-owned, not registered in Canada, and used mainly for international transportation, they do not need a work permit. They might be employed in an operation, maintenance, or passenger service position.

There are many work permits available for a person that wishes to work in Canada. Each type has its own definition and requirement of eligibility. Therefore, a person must review the options and determine which option best suits his/her needs. Understanding the law is the first step to moving your life and business to Canada.