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    Work without a Work Permit

    Work without a Work Permit

    Most foreign nationals wishing to work in Canada require a work permit, which is a legal document authorizing a foreign national to engage in employment and receive compensation from a Canadian employer. However, in certain unique circumstances, a foreign national may work in Canada without a work permit.

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    The following types of jobs may not require a work permit for foreign nationals to engage in Canadian employment. It should be noted simple inclusion on this list does not mean that a person will be eligible for a work permit exemption. In order to qualify for a work permit exemption, a person’s job must be on this list and they must meet the additional exemption criteria for their specific job as outlined on the International Mobility Program webpage.

    • Athlete or coach
    • Aviation accident or incident investigator
    • Business visitor
    • Civil aviation inspector
    • Clergy
    • Convention organizer
    • Crew member
    • Emergency service provider
    • Examiner and evaluator
    • Expert witness or investigator
    • Family member of foreign representative
    • Foreign government officer or representative
    • Health care student
    • Judge, referee or similar official
    • Military personnel
    • News reporter or film and media crew
    • Producer or staff member working on advertisements
    • Performing artist
    • Public speaker
    • Short-term highly-skilled worker
    • Short-term researcher
    • Student working off-campus
    • Student working on-campus

    If a foreign national in employed in one of the positions or scenarios listed above, they may be eligible for a work permit exemption.