Work without a Work Permit

Work without a Work Permit

Most foreign nationals who want to work in Canada need a work permit, which is a legal document that allows a foreign person to work and be paid by a Canadian company. A foreign national may, nevertheless, work in Canada without a work permit under some exceptional circumstances.

Types of jobs in Canada that DO NOT require a Work Permit

Foreign nationals may not need a work permit to work in Canada in the following occupations. It should be noted that mere inclusion on this list does not imply eligibility for a work permit exemption. A person's job must be on this list and they must meet the extra exemption criteria for their individual job as specified on the International Mobility Program webpage in order to qualify for a work visa exemption.
- 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

Business Visitor Visas

Unless they are visa-exempt, all visitors to Canada must get a visiting visa in order to enter the country, regardless of the activities they intend to engage in while there. To enter Canada, business visitors must apply for a temporary residence visa (TRV) or guest visa.

A business visitor is someone who comes to Canada to do international business but does not immediately enter the Canadian labour market.

Business Visitor vs Work Permit

A business visitor visa is not the same as a Canadian work permit. As a business guest, you are not permitted to work in Canada. Business visitor visas are designed to enable for short-term stays for business purposes such as industry conferences, site visits, and training. If your firm transfers you to Canada or if you are otherwise employed by a Canadian company, you will require a work permit. You can come to Canada as a visitor to look for work in Canada.
You cannot, however, legally work in Canada without a work permit. If you get a job offer from a Canadian company while on a guest visa, you must apply for a work permit before you may start working. Because your application must be processed by the Canadian visa office responsible for the nation in which you live or are a citizen, you may be obliged to leave Canada while it is being processed. You can, however, legally stay in Canada for as long as your visiting visa is valid.

How to Apply for a Business Visitor Visa

There are no particular visa requirements for business travellers to Canada. Business visitors must follow the standard application procedure for a visitor visa, or TRV, and must state that they are visiting Canada for international business purposes. Visitors on business may be required to show proof of their activities to a border services official at their port of entry. Some business travellers may be free from visa requirements if they are from visa-exempt nations. If the traveller arrives in Canada by flight, they may still require an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Business visitors may bring family members to Canada, but each family member must apply for their own visitor visa.

NAFTA Business Visitors

The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, lowers trade obstacles between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Citizens of these countries can enter each other's country for temporary business or investment purposes under NAFTA. NAFTA business visits are one type of NAFTA business person.