Work without a work permit

It’s important to note that certain jobs do not require a work permit in Canada. The following list includes some common examples, and it does not mean you will automatically receive one of these exemptions, but your job must meet all requirements for exemption as well!

1. Athlete or Coach
2. Business visitor
3. Aviation accident and incident investigator
4. Civil aviation inspector
5. Convention organizer
6. Clergy
7. Examiner and evaluator
8. Investigator
9. Foreign government representative or officer
10. Judge, referee, or similar official
11. Military personnel
12. Public speaker
13. Health care student
14. Crew member
15. Short-term researcher
16. Performing artist
17. Producers or staff members who are working on advertisements
18. Short-term highly-skilled worker
19. Emergency service provider
20. Student working off-campus
21. News reporters or film and media crew
22. A family member of any foreign representative
23. Student working on-campus
24. If a foreign national in the list of jobs or possibilities above is employed, they may be eligible for an exemption or relief from work permit requirements.

As a foreign national living outside of Canada, it’s possible to apply for a short-term work permit exemption. However, you cannot do so if you reside within your home country, as this would make you eligible under Canadian law and subject them to strict immigration rules themselves!

You’re coming to Canada to do business activities, but you will not be part of the Canadian labour market.
*If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.

Note: “Business people” does not mean the same thing as “business visitor.” Make sure you understand the difference because “business people” usually need work permits.

You check commercial airlines’ flight operations or cabin safety during international flights.

✔ If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.

You will help out in an emergency. You will be in Canada to help preserve life or property. Emergencies include natural
You will help out in an emergency. You will be in Canada to help preserve life or property. Emergencies include natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, or industrial accidents that threaten the environment.

✔ If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.

You organize or run international meetings or conventions.

✔ If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.

Note: If you provide “hands-on” services at these events, you must have a work permit. These services include providing audiovisual services, doing show decorating and building, and setting up and taking down displays.

You may be a truck driver, bus driver, or shipping or airline worker.
If this describes you, you do not need a work permit if:

• You’re working on foreign-owned and registered vehicles that are used mainly to transport cargo and passengers internationally, and
• Your work is related to operating vehicles or serving passengers.
  If you do not meet these conditions, you need a work permit.

You organize or run international meetings or conventions.

✔ If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.

You will give evidence before a regulatory body, tribunal, or court of law.

✔ If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.

You’re a professor or academic expert who evaluates or supervises academic projects, research proposals, or university theses. You may work for Canadian research groups or schools.

✔ If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.

You do not need a work permit if you meet the following conditions:

• You’re doing clinical clerkships.
• The main goal of your work is training.
• You have written approval from the board that regulates your job (note that certain provinces do not need written approval); and
• Your training will last less than four months.

If your training will last more than four months, or if you do not meet the other conditions listed above, you need a work permit. You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit if:

• You will work for a Canadian employer that does not have an “ineligible” status on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions, and
• You meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.

Before you submit your work permit application, your employer must:

• Submit an offer of employment to immigrants, refugees, and citizens of Canada,
  Pay A $230 employer compliance fee, and
• Provide you with an offer of employment number.

Note: When you complete your work permit application, select “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section.

You do not need a work permit if you meet these three requirements:

• You’re the spouse or child of a foreign representative.
• You’re accredited (with a counterfoil in your passport) by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
• You have a letter of no objection from GAC (usually issued only if there is a reciprocal employment arrangement with your home country). To find out how to get this letter, contact GAC’s protocol office.

If you do not meet these requirements, you need a work permit.

You do not need a work permit if you’re:

• An employee of another government working under an exchange agreement that lets officials work in government departments in Canada and your country.
• A diplomat or official representative of another country, Or
• A diplomat or official representative of the United Nations and its staff.

Note: Employees of other governments must have a formal letter if they will work there for more than three months.

If you’re any other foreign government officer or representative, you need a work permit.

You do not need a work permit if you’re:

• An employee of another government working under an exchange agreement that lets officials work in government departments in Canada and your country.
• A diplomat or official representative of another country, Or
• A diplomat or official representative of the United Nations and its staff.

Note: Employees of other governments must have a formal letter if they will work there for more than three months.

If you’re any other foreign government officer or representative, you need a work permit.

You’re an official at an international amateur competition who will judge or be an official for an artistic or cultural event, such as:

• A music and dance festival,
• An animal show.
• An agricultural contest.

✔If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.

You’re:

• A news reporter or member of a reporter’s crew.
• A member of a Film or media crew who will not enter the Canadian Labour market.
• A journalist who works for a print, broadcast, or internet news service (journal, newspaper, magazine, television show, etc.) and your company is not Canadian.
• A resident correspondent, Or
• As long as the event is short-term, a manager and or clerical staff member (six months or less).

✔If this describes you, you do not need a work permit.