People who immigrate to Canada wish to work but have no permit. A work permit is not a visa but a legal document that authorizes a foreign immigrant to engage in employment. Most of the time, it is expected that a person who has successfully migrated into Canada on a different route, which is not to work, has no plans to work there. Still, there are certain situations where an immigrant may work in Canada without a permit. In most cases, working without a permit is usually for a period, which could be as long as the person is allowed to be in Canada.
To qualify for a work permit exemption or to be able to work without a permit, one must meet all the additional exemption criteria for the specific job outline on the international mobility program’s webpage.
Here is a list of Jobs that qualify for the work permit exemption
- Athlete or Coach
- Dancers or performing artists
- Aviation inspector
- Clergy/Pastor
- Event planner
- Crew member
- Actor/Actress
- A family member of a foreign representative
- Foreign government official or representative
- Healthcare student
- Judge or Referee
- Military personnel
- News reporter and media crew
- Public speaker
- Short term highly skilled worker
- Researcher(short term)
- Students working outside campus.
- Students working on campus.
Any immigrant employed to work in Canada in any of the listed jobs above may receive a work permit exemption.
1. Athlete or Coach
As a foreign athlete competing in Canada, you can qualify for work without a work permit. This also includes coaches and other members of the athlete team. However, this does not apply to athletes on the Canadian team.
2. Dancer or Performing Artist
A foreign dancer or performing artist invited to perform in Canada is qualified to work without a permit. But in other to qualify for this exemption, the performer must be either the artist performing, or a key staff to the artist or dancer.
3. Aviation Inspector
The foreign aviation inspector who is employed to check aviation operations and the safety of flights in Canada is also qualified for the work permit exemption.
4. Clergy/Pastor
A foreign clergy/pastor who wants to conduct, participate, or undertake religious work in Canada may qualify for a work permit exemption.
5. Event Planner
A foreigner who organizes or plans international events may qualify for the work permit exemption for the duration of the work given.
6. Crew member
This specifically is for foreigners involved in transporting cargo either on a ship or plane. They may qualify for the work permit exemption.
7. Actors/Actresses
Foreigners in Canada’s movie or documentary production may qualify for a work permit.
8. A Family Member of a Foreign Representative
You might be eligible to own a Canadian work permit as a spouse, child, or even a foreign representative. To qualify, you must get your accreditation from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) with the inclusion of a passport with GAC Counterfoil, and you also must have a letter of no objection from GAC. This letter is mostly issued if a reciprocal employment agreement exists between Canada and any country.
9. Foreign Government Officer or Representative
An official of a foreign government working under an exchange agreement that allows workers to work in governments in their home country and Canada or a foreign representative of another country/ United Nations may qualify for the work permit exemption.
10. Health Care Student
A foreign healthcare student who wishes to work as part of a training program may qualify for the work permit exemption. The foreign student however must be a participant in clinical clerkships, and the training must last less than four months.
11. Judge, Referee, or Similar Official
A foreign judge or referee traveling to Canada to be an official in an international competition may qualify for a work permit exemption.
12. Military Personnel
A foreign member of the armed forces who has movement orders under the Visiting Forces Act and is entering Canada may qualify for a work permit exemption.
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13. News Reporter or Film/Media Crew
Any member of this crew who plans to work only for a non-Canadian print or publication may qualify for a work permit exemption. However, if the reporter chooses to work for any Canadian media, he/she would need a permit.
14. Public Speaker
A foreign guest speaker for any event in Canada may qualify for a work permit exemption. However, the speaker must stay no longer than five days.
15. Short Term Highly Skilled Workers
Skilled workers may be eligible to work in Canada for short-term ages, given that a certain amount of time passes between. Under the short-term work permit exemption terms, foreign citizens working at NOC Skill Level 0 or A may qualify for a work permit for a short period of work in Canada. However, the worker will have to perform work for 15 or 30 successful timetable days.
16. Short Term Researcher
Some foreign citizens traveling to Canada to take over short-term exploration may qualify for a work permit exemption. This exemption only applies if the researcher has a valid license for research at a public degree-granting institution, is working for 120 or smaller successive days, and must not have employed this work permit exemption in the last 12 months.
17. Students Working Outside Campus
International full-time students in Canada working off campus do not require a work permit. They are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week during school hours and can work full-time during academic holidays and breaks.
18. Students Working on Campus
International full-time students in Canada working on the campus where they study do not require a work permit. They are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week during school hours and can work full-time during academic holidays and breaks.
Conclusion
As a foreigner living outside Canada who desires to work in Canada without a permit, it is very possible to apply for a short-term work permit. Still, you must be residing in Canada during the duration of the work.
