Jobs Without a Work Permit in Canada

Every year, The Canadian government recruits a large number of people into the labor market.

A good number of these jobs require a work permit. A work permit is a legal document that allows a foreign national to work in a host country. Without a work permit, you stand at risk of being deported and banned from re-entering the country.

Different types of work permits are issued depending on the applicant’s job type, occupation, and period of stay in Canada.

However, there are unique cases of jobs that do not require a work permit but you must meet certain requirements stated by the authorities. This article contains a detailed list of jobs without a work permit in Canada.

Jobs without a work permit

Table of Contents

Agriculture Work

An individual can be allowed to work on a farm without a work permit if the following requirements are met;

The farm work is a volunteer job
if it is a non-commercial farm. A non-commercial farm is a farm where the owner provides most of the capital and the farm product is for the owner’s family consumption with little to sell for profit.

Examiners and Evaluators

This includes professors, researchers, evaluators, or individuals operating in an official academic capacity. persons under this category are allowed to enter Canada without a work permit.

Public Speakers

This includes commercial speakers, seminar leaders, and guest speakers for specific events. They do not require a work permit in Canada. However, the speaking engagement should not last more than five days

Note: The following category of speakers is not exempted from getting a work permit.

Commercial speakers hired by a Canadian business for training services
Guest athletes instructors coming for teaching purposes.

Athlete or Coach

Athletes or coaches that are members of a foreign team competing in Canada are exempt from having a work permit

Aviation Accidents/Incident Investigator

Accident or incident investigators are not required to have a work permit to carry out investigative work in Canada. However, the investigation must be registered under Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act.

Business Visitors

Under Canadian labor laws. business visitors are foreign individuals who visit Canada to undertake business activities but do not engage in the Canadian labor market.

You should note that there is a difference between a business visitor and a business person. Individuals who meet the definition of a business visitor are exempt from the Canadian work permit.

New Reporters/Media Crew

Foreign nationals working in Canada as news reporters or members of a media crew may be exempt from having a work permit.

to qualify for work permit exemption,

You must be a news reporter or belong to a news reporter crew
You must be a resident correspondent
You must be a manager or clerical staff member of an event for not less than six months

Performing Artist

Certain performing artists are free to work in Canada without a work permit. To qualify, the following condition must be met.

You will perform in Canada for a limited time
You are the foreign artist or a key support staff
You will not be hired for Canadian employment by the group hosting you
You will not be in a broadcast for television, radio, or film.

Military Personnel

Military personnel who have received special orders to come to Canada do not require a work permit.

Note:

You must be serving in a country registered under the Canadian visiting forces act.
The work permit exemption only applies to military personnel, not attaches

Judges

Judges or referees are allowed to work in Canada without a job permit under the following conditions;

International cultural contest
International amateur sports contest
An agricultural or animal contest

Emergency Service Providers

Foreign nationals that intend to work in Canada to provide services during emergencies can qualify for a work permit exemption. They include doctors, Medical teams, or licensed insurance adjusters.

Emergencies include natural, medical, or industrial accidents

Clergy

A clergy is allowed to work without a permit as long as it is limited to preaching, giving spiritual guidance, or presiding at religious events. However, he/she must provide the following evidence;

Evidence of religious employment
The ability to fulfill your clerical duties
Existence of the religious group offering the job

Crew Member

Truck drivers, Bus drivers, and shipping or airline members may qualify for a work permit exemption.

the following conditions must be met to qualify;

you must be working on vehicles owned by businesses outside Canada that used for international transportation
Your work must be related to the operation of vehicles and/or the serving of passengers

Expert Witnesses

As an expert witness or an investigator, you do not need a work permit to enter Canada if;

You want to conduct surveys or analyses that will serve as evidence before a regulatory body, court of law, or tribunal
You will serve as an expert witness before any body of law.

Civil Aviation Inspectors

Flight and cabin safety inspectors who enter Canada to perform safety routines on flights are exempt from having a work permit. They must have proof of employment by a recognized aeronautics safety authority and valid documents to show they are aviation inspectors.

Note;

If you are a full-time international student, you do not require a work permit to work off and on campus. You are eligible to work up to twenty(20) hours per week during study periods. You can also work full-time during academic holidays and breaks.

As an international student, even though you don’t need a work permit, there are eligibility criteria you must meet to work. You can check for these criteria in your study permit.

Some of the jobs you can do as a student without a work permit include