For international companies looking to expand into Canada or send employees north of the border, it’s important to understand how Canada regulates temporary work and business activities. While most foreign nationals require a work permit to perform services in Canada, there are several exemptions and streamlined pathways that can make entry easier.
Business Visitors
Some individuals can enter Canada without a work permit as long as they are not directly entering the Canadian labor market. Typical scenarios include:
- Attending business meetings.
- Purchasing Canadian goods or services on behalf of a foreign company.
- Providing or receiving training within a Canadian affiliate, parent, or subsidiary.
Key factors:
- The foreign national continues to be paid from outside Canada.
- The primary business and profits remain abroad.
- The activity does not compete directly with Canadian workers.
Global Skills Strategy Exemptions
Since 2017, Canada’s Global Skills Strategy has created special exemptions for certain high-skilled, short-term work assignments:
- Highly skilled workers in TEER 0 or 1 occupations (executive, managerial, or professional roles) can work without a permit for:
- Up to 15 consecutive days once every six months, or
- Up to 30 consecutive days once every 12 months.
- Researchers working at publicly funded Canadian institutions (or affiliates) may work without a permit for up to 120 consecutive days.
Foreign nationals must provide documentation proving eligibility, and officials will verify that sufficient time has passed since any previous use of the exemption.
Work Permit Categories
When a work permit is required, several categories may apply:
- Intra-Company Transfers (ICTs): For executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge transferring to a Canadian branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. The employee must have worked for the related foreign entity for at least one year.
- Significant Benefit Permits: Available in exceptional cases where the proposed work would generate clear economic, social, or cultural benefits for Canada.
- Trade Agreement Permits: Under agreements such as CUSMA (formerly NAFTA), CETA, CPTPP, or GATS, certain workers may qualify for streamlined entry as professionals, traders, investors, or intra-company transferees without requiring a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- Confirmed Job Offers (LMIA-based): If no exemption applies, an employer may apply for an LMIA to show that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the Canadian labor market. Recruitment efforts in Canada must generally be documented.
Family Members of Foreign Workers
- Spouses and dependent children can usually accompany a foreign worker to Canada.
- Children are permitted to study in Canadian schools.
- Spouses may, in many cases, apply for their own work authorization under Canada’s Spousal Work Permit Program.
Final Thoughts
Canada offers multiple routes for business visitors, high-skilled professionals, and intra-company transferees to enter and work lawfully. Employers and foreign nationals should carefully review whether an exemption applies or whether a work permit is required.
At NPZ Law Group, we assist businesses and individuals in navigating Canadian work authorization rules — from business visitor entries to LMIA applications — ensuring compliance and reducing delays.
For guidance on Canadian work permits and immigration planning, contact us at 201-670-0006 or visit www.visaserve.com
FAQs
Q: Can I attend training in Canada without a work permit?
A: Yes, if the training is within a Canadian parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of your employer abroad, you may qualify as a business visitor without a work permit.
Q: Does my spouse automatically get work authorization if I have a permit?
A: Not automatically. However, many spouses of foreign workers can apply for an open work permit under Canada’s Spousal Work Permit Program.
Q: How long can I work in Canada without a permit under the Global Skills Strategy?
A: Up to 15 days once every six months or up to 30 days once every 12 months for highly skilled workers, and up to 120 days for researchers at eligible institutions.
Q: Do I always need an LMIA to get a work permit?
A: No. Many exemptions exist, including intra-company transfers and permits under international trade agreements, which do not require an LMIA.
Q: Can my children go to school in Canada if I have a work permit?
A: Yes. Dependent children of work permit holders are allowed to attend elementary and secondary schools in Canada.
Contact InformationÂ
If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.