Possible cases for work in Canada without a work permit:
Business Visitors
- If you plan to come to Canada for business/trade related purposes which are not part of the Canadian Labour Market.
- You should not be planning to interact with the Canadian Labour market.
- The business activity should be on an international level, so there should be cross-border engagement.
- Business visitors working for a foreign employer, some mandates are required:
- Main source of workers salary and main place of work is outside of Canada.
- Profit's made by employer are outside of Canada.
- Business vistiors can also be categorized as one of the following:
- After sales service providers
- Members of a board of directors
- Employess of temporary residents
- Those employeed by foreign companies which have deals with canadian companies
Foreign Representatives (w/ Family Members)
- Foreign representatives and their family members or staff may be allowed to work without a work permit granted proper authorization by Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).
Military Personnel
- Military and civilian personnel in Canada may work and stufy in Canada without a work permit under the Visiting Forces Act.
Foreign Government Officers
- Under Canadian agreements with other foreign nationalities, there may be situations that require for exchange of officers, in this case a contract may need to procurred from Canada’s Public Service Commission (PSC) (if officer is at an executive level).
American Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Officers
- Cross-Border law enforcement ships may be staffed by both Canadian and American personnel. Since they work on both sides of the border, when in Canada, the American personnel can continue about their tasks without a work permit.
In-Flight Security Officers (IFSOs)
- International governments may deignate IFSOs as extra safety on foreign aircrafts. They may work in Canada without a work permit granted the tasks they perform are none other than providing security on a foreign aircraft.
On-Campus Employment
- An international student can work on-campus if they hold a valid study permit and are a full-time student at a post-secondary level. The ability to work without a work permit here will only last as long as the study permit does.
- The work must be conducted at the institution in Canada and be recommended by the academic department.
Performing Artists
- Performing artists can work in Canada without a work permit, however some performances may require Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and work permit.
Athletes and Team Members
- Some professional/amateur atheletes, forign coaches, trainers of atheletes, or other essential team members may travel to Canada to take part in sports activites.
News Reporters and Media Crews
- Journalists and their media crews can travel to Canada to perform their work of reporting coverage without a work permit. The final review is at the discretion of the Visa Officer.
Public Speakers
- Seminar speakers, guest speakers or commerical ones can travel to Canada and present without a work permit. Seminar cannot be more than 5 days.
Convention Organizers
- Covention organizers along with their support staff can travel to Canada and host their event without a work permit.
Clergy
- A preacher or religious/spirtual service provider may be allowed to work in Canada without a work permit.
Judges, Referees, and Alike Officials
- They may be able to come to participate in events in Canada.
Examiners and Evaluators
- International intellectual professors and researchers may have to travel to Canada to evaluate projects by their students.
Expert Witnesses or Investigators
- Analysts who come to Canada to conduct surveys/analytics used for evidential purposes or part of a witness testimony, may do so without a work permit.
Health Care Students
- Foreign health care students involved in foreign institutions can participate in short-term practicums in Canada without a work permit, granted it is unpaid and less than four months.
Civil Aviation Inspectors
- Inspectors under this category can inspect international flights without a work permit, granted they are from an authorized aeronautical entity.
Aviation Accident or Incident Inspector
- Representatives and advisors who are assiting in an aviation related accident can do so without a work permit, the investigation must be conducted under the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act.
Crew
- Under international transportation, crew members do not need a work permit to perform their duties, the vehicle in question will determine the eligibility.
Emergency Service Providers
- Under emergency sitatuions, workers can perform their tasks in Canada without a work permit, as long as their work involves maintaining life/property.
Implied Status
- Candidates may continue to work with an expired work permit granted they apply for a new work permit before the expiry date of previous one.