Short-term (120-day) work permit exemption for researchers
Note: Some Entry/Exit information is available in GCMS by conducting a query through the application screen. Since February 26, 2019, all land entry and exit records (on all travellers, including Canadian and US Citizens) and all air entry records are available. Entry/Exit information can be used to assess residency and to check for overstays. Data collected is point forward and not available for records that predate February 26, 2019.
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
The 120-day work permit exemption allows eligible researchers to exit and re-enter Canada within the 120-day time frame. However, the number of consecutive days cannot be extended beyond the initial 120 days. The 120 days begin on the date the exemption was granted.
On June 12, 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in coordination with Employment and Social Development Canada, launched the Global Skills Strategy and introduced, among other changes, new work permit exemptions for certain high-skilled work of a short duration.
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has established a public policy under section A25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) that justifies granting a work permit exemption to certain highly skilled foreign nationals coming to Canada for 120 consecutive days to perform work in a publicly funded Canadian degree-granting institution (or its affiliated research institution).
On this page
- Conditions
- Considerations
- Required documentation
- Renewals
- Working with multiple employers
- Implied status
- Visitor records
- Canadian publicly funded degree-granting institutions
Conditions
Based on public policy considerations, officers may grant a foreign national seeking to enter Canada a work permit exemption for 120 consecutive calendar days if the following applies:
- The foreign national is coming to perform work for 120 consecutive days or less and has not been granted an exemption under the public policy facilitating entry into Canada for short term work in the last 12 months.
- The foreign national intends to perform work as a researcher.
- The foreign national has an offer from a publicly funded degree-granting institution (at the college or university level) or its affiliated research institution (see note).
- The foreign national has a significant role to play in or value to add to the research project.
- When entering Canada, at the request of an officer, the foreign national produces written confirmation from the receiving institution attesting to the details of the work as being primarily research and outlining the duration of the work.
Eligible persons may also need a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to come to Canada.
Affiliated research institutions
Universities and think tanks usually work with research institutions to produce reports and studies. Because the relationship is at arm’s length, they are considered affiliates, though sometimes research bodies may operate inside universities.
Example
The University of Ottawa (a publicly funded degree granting institution) is affiliated with certain research institutions, such as the following:
- the Institute of Mental Health Research
- the University of Ottawa Heart Institute
- the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute
These institutions have a research mandate and qualified research staff and/or research facilities.
Institutions that play a supporting role (that is, they do not conduct research) are not eligible for the 120-day work permit exemption.
Considerations
The intent of this exemption is to attract specialized foreign researchers for short periods of time. Therefore, only foreign nationals outside Canada are eligible for this exemption.
In assessing whether the foreign national has a significant role to play in or value to add to the research project, officers may wish to consider the following:
- The applicant demonstrates academic excellence or expertise in a field related to the particular work to be undertaken.
- The position reflects the experience and expertise of the applicant and the role they will play in the project.
While most foreign nationals coming to Canada to perform research are likely to be professionals, there may be situations where undergraduate or graduate students are coming to perform research with Canadian faculty at degree-granting institutions or their affiliated research institutions. These students may also be considered under this exemption, subject to the criteria noted above.
Where applicable, officers should document “120-day work permit research exemption – Public Policy” in the case notes in the Global Case Management System (GCMS). Upon receipt of an application for this exemption, officers should verify in the system whether the foreign national has previously used this exemption.
If the officer has concerns over the past use of this exemption, the foreign national must demonstrate that they have not been granted this exemption in the last 12 months. Foreign nationals who have been granted this exemption in the last 12 months and who intend to work in Canada before the 12 months have passed must apply for a work permit.
Required documentation
The foreign national must provide sufficient documentary evidence to satisfy an officer that a short-term exemption applies.
Documentary evidence includes written confirmation from the publicly funded degree-granting institution (or its affiliated research institution if they are coming to work there) attesting to the following:
- the details of the work (that is, descriptions of the duties, research activities and the National Occupational Classification code of the occupation the foreign national will be performing)
- the period of employment (start date and end date)
Acceptable documentary evidence may also include written confirmation from an organization that coordinates the selection and hiring of researchers intending to work at the degree granting institution or its affiliated research institutions.
Other documents that may be requested include the following:
- transcripts, diplomas or certificates
- evidence of the significant role the foreign national will play in or the value the foreign national will add to the research project
Certain foreign nationals who are exempt from the requirement to obtain a TRV must apply for an eTA. See the eTA overview page for guidance.
Renewals
Applicants may be granted this 120-day work permit exemption only once within a 12-month period.
Example of a 12-month period
If a foreign national entered Canada under the 120-day work permit exemption and is required to work in Canada for another 120 days, they will not be eligible to renew their stay as a temporary worker. Twelve months must pass from the date of entry before the foreign worker is eligible to use the 120-day exemption again.
Foreign nationals may be able to use the 120-day exemption offered for research activities as well as the 15- or 30-day exemption. However, foreign nationals who wish to use the short term work permit exemption on more than 1 occasion must ensure the required amount of time has elapsed since they last used a short-term work permit exemption before using the exemption again.
Foreign nationals who have already used the 120-day research exemption must wait 12 months before using this short-term work permit exemption again.
The following cases provide guidance for when foreign nationals may be granted the 120-day exemption, or short-term work permit exemptions if they have previously benefited from the 120-day exemption.
If a foreign national has benefited from the 120-day exemption, they may be granted 1 of the following:
- a subsequent 120-day exemption if they have not been granted a short-term work permit exemption in the last 12 months
- a 15-day exemption once 6 months have elapsed since the 120-day exemption was granted
- a 30-day exemption once 12 months have elapsed since the 120-day exemption was granted
Working with multiple employers
The 120-day short term work permit exemption applies to the foreign national and not to the employer. Each foreign national will be authorized to work without a permit under the public policy for a 120-day period every 12 months.
If the foreign national enters Canada under the 120-day work permit exemption and intends to work for more than 1 employer during that period, they must provide both of the following:
- proof that they have a job offer (to be presented to the processing officer at the port of entry)
- written confirmation from each publicly funded degree-granting institution, or its affiliated research institution, for which they intend to perform the work
The written confirmation must attest to the details of the work and outline the period of employment (start date and end date). For more details, see the Required documentation section.
Implied status
Section R201 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations allows a foreign national to apply for a renewal of their work permit only if the application is made before their work permit expires. Paragraph R186(u) allows a foreign national to continue working under the same conditions in the event that they submitted an application under section R201 and a decision on the renewal of their application has not yet been made.
Foreign workers entering Canada under the 120-day work permit exemption for researchers or the short-term (15- or 30-day) work permit exemption do not have a work permit, so regulations governing work permit renewals [R201 and R186(u)] do not apply. If they were admitted for 6 months at the port of entry, they can stay as visitors until the end of the period authorized for their stay, but they cannot work past the period allowed by the exemption unless otherwise authorized. Those foreign nationals must submit their initial work permit applications online or via a visa application centre overseas.
Visitor records
Generally, if an officer believes that a foreign national’s length of stay should be limited to a period of less than 6 months, a visitor record [IMM 1097] is issued as a means of exercising an element of control over the foreign national’s length of stay. Similarly, the border services officer should issue a visitor record form [IMM 1442B] when authorizing a period of stay greater than 6 months and indicate in the “Remarks” section why the greater period of time is being granted.
In support of a social insurance number application to Service Canada, foreign workers must provide an original copy of 1 of the following:
- work permit
- visitor record issued by IRCC, indicating they are authorized to work in Canada (for those who are work permit exempt)
- diplomatic identity card and a note of permission of employment issued by Global Affairs Canada
- study permit indicating that the foreign national is authorized to work in Canada:
- a study permit that indicates that the permit holder “may accept employment” or “may work” in Canada
- a study permit and a “confirmation to work off campus” letter issued by IRCC before February 11, 2015
The following acceptable statements may also appear on the visitor record:
- “Work Permit exempt as a [job title]”
- “Work permit exempt, per section R186"; there may be a subsection listed, for example, subsection R186(s)
- “120 day short term work permit exemption – Public policy”
- “30 day or 15 day short term work permit exemption – Public policy”
Foreign nationals who are eligible for the 120-day work permit exemption for researchers or the short-term (15- or 30-day) work permit exemption may request a visitor record at the port of entry. Border services officers should issue a visitor record to the client, if requested and if all other requirements have been met.
Where applicable, officers should document the exemption in the case notes in GCMS and in the visible remarks of the visitor record as follows: “120-day short term work permit exemption – Public Policy” or “30-day or 15 day short term work permit exemption – Public Policy.” Officers should verify in the system whether the worker has been granted an exemption under the public policy in the last 12 months.
If the officer has concerns over the past use of this exemption, the onus will be on the foreign national to demonstrate they meet the requirements of this exemption.
Canadian publicly funded degree-granting institutions
Note: While this list is fairly complete, there may be additional Canadian publicly funded degree-granting institutions, so it should not be considered exhaustive.
Institution | Province or territory |
---|---|
Acadia University | Nova Scotia |
Alberta College of Art and Design | Alberta |
Algoma University | Ontario |
Algonquin College | Ontario |
Ambrose University | Alberta |
Assiniboine Community College | Manitoba |
Athabasca University | Alberta |
Aurora College | Northwest Territories |
Bishop’s University | Quebec |
Brandon University | Manitoba |
British Columbia Institute of Technology | British Columbia |
Brock University | Ontario |
Burman University | Alberta |
Camosun College | British Columbia |
Canadian Mennonite University | Manitoba |
Cape Breton University | Nova Scotia |
Capilano University | British Columbia |
Carleton University | Ontario |
Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup | Quebec |
Centennial College | Ontario |
College of New Caledonia | British Columbia |
College of the Rockies | British Columbia |
Concordia University | Quebec |
Concordia University of Edmonton | Alberta |
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning | Ontario |
Dalhousie Agricultural Campus of Dalhousie University | Nova Scotia |
Dalhousie University | Nova Scotia |
Douglas College | British Columbia |
École de technologie supérieure | Quebec |
École nationale d’administration publique | Quebec |
École Polytechnique de Montréal | Quebec |
Emily Carr University of Art and Design | British Columbia |
Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology | Ontario |
George Brown College | Ontario |
Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology | Ontario |
Grande Prairie Regional College | Alberta |
HEC Montréal | Quebec |
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning | Ontario |
Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec | Quebec |
Institut national de la recherche scientifique | Quebec |
Justice Institute of British Columbia | British Columbia |
The King’s University | Alberta |
Kwantlen Polytechnic University | British Columbia |
La Cité collégiale | Ontario |
Lakehead University | Ontario |
Lakeland College | Alberta |
Langara College | British Columbia |
Laurentian University | Ontario |
Lethbridge College | Alberta |
MacEwan University | Alberta |
McGill University | Quebec |
McMaster University | Ontario |
Medicine Hat College | Alberta |
Memorial University of Newfoundland | Newfoundland and Labrador |
Mount Allison University | New Brunswick |
Mount Royal University | Alberta |
Mount Saint Vincent University | Nova Scotia |
Niagara College | Ontario |
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology | British Columbia |
Nipissing University | Ontario |
North Island College | British Columbia |
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology | Alberta |
Northern Lights College | British Columbia |
Northwest Community College | British Columbia |
Nova Scotia Community College | Nova Scotia |
NSCAD University | Nova Scotia |
OCAD University | Ontario |
Okanagan College | British Columbia |
Olds College | Alberta |
Queen’s University | Ontario |
Red Deer College | Alberta |
Red River College of Applied Arts, Science and Technology | Alberta |
Royal Military College of Canada | Ontario |
Royal Roads University | British Columbia |
Ryerson University | Ontario |
Saint Mary’s University | Nova Scotia |
Saskatchewan Polytechnic | Saskatchewan |
Selkirk College | British Columbia |
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology | Ontario |
Sheridan College | Ontario |
Simon Fraser University | British Columbia |
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology | Alberta |
St. Francis Xavier University | Nova Scotia |
St. Lawrence College | Ontario |
St. Mary’s University | Alberta |
St. Thomas University | New Brunswick |
TELUQ | Quebec |
Thompson Rivers University | British Columbia |
Trent University | Ontario |
Université de Moncton | New Brunswick |
Université de Montréal | Quebec |
Université de Saint-Boniface | Manitoba |
Université de Sherbrooke | Quebec |
Université du Québec | Quebec |
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi | Quebec |
Université du Québec à Montréal | Quebec |
Université du Québec à Rimouski | Quebec |
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières | Quebec |
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue | Quebec |
Université du Québec en Outaouais | Quebec |
Université Laval | Quebec |
Université Saint-Anne | Nova Scotia |
University College of the North | Manitoba |
University of Alberta | Alberta |
University of British Columbia | British Columbia |
University of Calgary | Alberta |
University of Guelph | Ontario |
University of King’s College | Nova Scotia |
University of Lethbridge | Alberta |
University of Manitoba | Manitoba |
University of New Brunswick | New Brunswick |
University of Northern British Columbia | British Columbia |
University of Ontario Institute of Technology | Ontario |
University of Ottawa | Ontario |
University of Prince Edward Island | Prince Edward Island |
University of Regina | Saskatchewan |
University of Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan |
University of the Fraser Valley | British Columbia |
University of Toronto | Ontario |
University of Victoria | British Columbia |
University of Waterloo | Ontario |
University of Windsor | Ontario |
University of Winnipeg | Manitoba |
Vancouver Community College | British Columbia |
Vancouver Island University | British Columbia |
Western University | Ontario |
Wilfrid Laurier University | Ontario |
York University | Ontario |
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