Hundreds of experienced professionals migrate to Canada each year in pursuit of new and better career opportunities.
Under some circumstances, a foreign national may work in Canada without a work permit.
Most foreign nationals who wish to work in Canada require a work permit, which is a legal document that permits a foreign individual to work for a Canadian firm and be paid.
However, there are plenty of occupations available in Canada that a foreign national can do without a work visa or work permit.
Can you work without a work permit in Canada?
Canadian residents and citizens, regardless of where they live, do not require a work permit or visa to work in Canada.
Foreign nationals who want to work or visit Canada may or may not need a work permit, depending on the nature of the employment.
It is important to understand that applying for a job that does not need a work permit does not suggest that you are eligible for a work permit exemption.
To qualify for a work visa exemption, a person’s occupation must be one of those jobs, and they must meet the extra exemption requirements for their position as outlined by the International Mobility Program.
17 Jobs You Can Do in Canada Without A Work Permit in Canada
If a foreign national is employed in one of the jobs listed below, they may be eligible for a work permit exemption.
Aviation accident investigator
You may not require a work permit in Canada if you are certified as an agent or consultant to investigate aviation accidents and/or other events.
To qualify for the exemption, the investigation must be undertaken under the Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act.
Healthcare worker
You may be eligible for a work visa exemption if you are a foreigner majoring in the healthcare field in Canada and wish to work as part of a training program.
To be qualified for the exemption, you must meet the following four requirements:
- You must be registered for clinical clerkships.
- You must complete your course in less than four months.
- Your major goal is to coach people.
Athlete
If you are a member of a foreign athletic team competing in Canada, you may be exempt from the need for a work visa.
As athletes, you and your teammates would not require a work visa to relocate to Canada. In other words, neither coaches nor team members who attend sporting events in Canada are required to get a work visa.
Event planner
You may be qualified for a work permit exemption if you arrange or conduct foreign conferences or meetings.
Please bear in mind that this exemption only applies to organizers; anybody providing hands-on assistance at such gatherings must have the necessary work licenses.
Examiner
If you are a foreign citizen who is a professor or academic expert, you may be eligible for a work visa exemption in Canada to engage in certain activities.
Thesis activities include the evaluation and/or supervision of academic projects, research proposals, and theses.
You might be employed by a Canadian educational institution or a Canadian research institution.
Emergency responder
You may be sent to Canada on emergency duty; thus, as long as you are called upon to provide emergency services, you will not require work visas to visit Canada.
Farm work
Several sorts of farm labor do not need a work permit to enter Canada. This includes both non-commercial agricultural activities and volunteer farm work.
However, if your primary goal is to engage in specified farm activities, you do not need a work visa. You just need to be proficiently skilled in your area of expertise.
Business visitor
Business Visitors are foreign nationals who visit Canada for business reasons but do not work in Canada.
You may not require a work permit in Canada if you meet the definition of a business visitor.
Public speaker
To enter Canada as a public speaker for specific events, you need not require a work permit. This is only possible if the events last no longer than 5 days.
Certain commercial speakers, such as those employed by a Canadian firm to provide training services and guest athlete’s teachers, may, however, require a work visa.
Clergy
You may be qualified for a work visa exemption if you are a foreign citizen who is an ordained clergy, a layman, or a member of a religious organization.
Your duties in Canada may include teaching theology, leading worship, and/or offering spiritual counseling.
Referee
This is another type of job that does not need a work permit to enter Canada. This is true as long as you participate in the corresponding international amateur sporting event, which will also be hosted by a Canadian organization.
Off-campus student work
Full-time international students do not require a work visa to work off-campus while enrolled in school.
Full-time international students are authorized to work up to 20 hours per week during study periods and full-time during regularly scheduled academic holidays and breaks.
News reporter or film and media crew
If you are a foreign national working as a news reporter or on a film and media crew in Canada, you may be eligible for a work visa exemption. To be eligible, you must satisfy one of the following requirements:
- You must be a news reporter or a member of the crew of a news reporter.
- You must be a member of a film or media team who will not work in Canada.
- You must be a journalist working for a non-Canadian print, radio, television, or web-based medium.
Service members in the military
If you are a member of another country’s military services, you may be eligible for a work visa exemption in Canada.
You must obtain movement instructions declaring that you are entering Canada under the Visiting Forces Act to qualify for this exemption.
Campus student work
If you are a full-time international student in Canada, you do not need a work permit to work on campus.
Full-time international students are authorized to work up to 20 hours per week during study periods and full-time during regularly scheduled academic holidays.
Researcher
Some foreign nationals visiting Canada for short-term research may qualify for a work permit exemption. This exemption is only available if the researcher satisfies the following criteria:
- Working for 120 days or less is required.
- Research must be conducted at a public degree-granting institution or an affiliated research institution.
- This exception must not have been used in the preceding year.
Crew member
If you are a foreign national working as a truck driver, bus driver, shipper, or airline employee, you may be eligible for a work permit exemption. Your job must meet two conditions to qualify for the exemption:
- Your work must entail vehicle operating and/or passenger service.
- You must be working on vehicles owned and registered by companies based outside of Canada and used to transport freight and/or persons internationally.
Conclusion
You can work in Canada without seeking immigration if you like. The employment available to this group of persons is not restricted to those listed above.
There are several occupations available that do not require a work permit in all provinces of Canada.
