Jobs That Do Not Require A Work Permit In Canada

Are you planning to work abroad, but you’re interested in jobs that do not require a work permit in Canada? Meanwhile, there are thousands of new jobs created in Canada while existing industries are also looking to hire more professionals. The immigration work permit processes in Canada are complicated, but there’s some relief in that area.

There are quite several jobs that do not require a work permit in Canada, meaning you have one less process (work permit) to worry about during the immigration process. Now, let’s check a few jobs that you can apply for without applying for a work permit. As a foreign nationals who wish to work in Canada, you’ll require a work permit.

In this article, we’ll take you through the various types of jobs that do not require a work permit in Canada. Let’s dive in!

What Is A Work Permit?

A Canadian work permit is a legal document that authorizes a foreign national to engage in employment and receive compensation from a Canadian employer. However, in distinctive circumstances, a foreign national may work in Canada even without a work permit. Below are some of the jobs that do not require a work permit in Canada. Scroll down!

15 Jobs In Canada That Do Not Require Work Permits

Listed below are types of jobs that do not require a work permit for foreigners to engage in Canadian employment. However, being included on this list does not imply that an individual will qualify for a work permit exemption.

To qualify for a work permit exemption, your job must first be on this list and you must meet the other exemption criteria for your specific job. In addition, these exemption criteria are outlined on the International Mobility Program webpage. Scroll down for the jobs.

1. Athletes and team members.
2. Aviation accident or incident inspectors.
3. Civil aviation inspectors.
4. Clergy. 
5. Convention organizers.
6. Crew.
7. Emergency Service Providers.
8. Examiners and evaluators.
9. Expert witnesses or investigators.
10. Farm work.
11. Foreign government officers.
12. Foreign representatives.
13. Healthcare students.
14. Implied status.
15. Judges, referees, and other officials.

1. Athletes And Team Members

Whether you’re a professional or amateur athlete or coach participating in a Canadian sporting event, you can get jobs in Canada without a work permit. However, if you’re a professional athlete working in any province in Canada, your partner will need a work permit if they decide to immigrate to Canada with you.

2. Aviation Accident Or Incident Inspector

If an aviation accident has occurred and the services of foreign nationals are needed for inspection. The foreign inspectors do not need to obtain work permits to perform their services within Canada.

3. Civil Aviation Inspectors

As an individual entering Canada temporarily for work on international commercial flights, you can perform your roles without obtaining a work permit. Based on this, the cabin safety and flight operations crew will need to provide documentation proving their identities and positions.

4. Clergy

One of the jobs that do not require a work permit in Canada is that of a clergy. If your work requires you to preside over religious events, preaching, or offering spiritual guidance in Canada, then you may proceed without a work permit. However, if you want to provide such services, you must provide evidence in advance to confirm that you can perform such tasks. You’ll also have to demonstrate the existence of your employer/religious group beyond a reasonable doubt.

5. Convention Organizers

You can organize corporate meetings, exhibitions, association meetings, trade shows, and consumer shows without obtaining a work permit in Canada. This is also one of the jobs that do not require a work permit in Canada. However, it’s conditional because the organization in charge of the event is not actively doing business within Canadian provinces. Also, it’s not situated in Canada and does not have any branches within the country.

6. Crew

As a crew member who is performing any operation on any kind of international transportation, you do not require a work permit in Canada to perform your jobs. Meanwhile, the only condition is that this kind of transportation (an airline) must not be owned or registered by a Canadian company.

7. Emergency Services Providers

One of the jobs that do not require a work permit in Canada is that of an emergency service provider. Professionals coming to Canada for emergency relief work are not expected to obtain a work permit.

8. Evaluators And Examiners

A Professional academician traveling to Canada to mentor or guide their students does not require a work permit in Canada to do so.

9. Expert Witnesses Or Investigators

As an expert witness or investigator who traveled to stand before a tribunal, a Canadian court, or a regulatory body. You do not require a work permit to enter Canada for it. 

10. Farm Work

To work on non-commercial farms in Canada as a volunteers, you don’t need a Canadian work permit. Furthermore, you can take up any such jobs in Canada so far the primary aim for your travel is tourism.

11. Foreign Government Officials 

Sometimes, the Canadian government enters into agreements with other foreign countries. With this, foreign nationals may be allowed to travel to Canada to work as a part of a government agency/department. Therefore, a work permit is not required in such a situation. The family members of such foreign nationals are also exempted from work permit requirements in case of a reciprocal agreement between both countries.

12. Foreign Representatives 

This includes consular officers, diplomats, officials, and representatives of other countries, or an international organization that Canada also participates in. These foreign representatives do not require work permits to enter Canada.

13. Healthcare Students 

Candidates studying physical therapy, medicine, occupational therapy, medical technology, or nursing can take up practicums or clerkships in Canada. However, they will need written express permission from a credible/registered provincial regulatory body.

14. Implied Status

For instance, if you’re already working in Canada and your work permit has expired. You can continue working on the condition that you’ve applied for your new work permit. It must be done before the expiry of your previous permit.

15. Judges, Referees, And Other Officials 

There are situations where a judge, referee, or similar official is allowed to provide their services in Canada without obtaining a work permit. This is only allowed if this official is a part of any international amateur sporting event.