Program delivery update: Work related to transportation – Marine workers – International Mobility Program
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
July 18, 2025
Foreign nationals who are seeking entry to work temporarily in Canada in an occupation related to transportation (such as marine workers, captains and cockpit crew, flight attendants, train conductors, engineers, food services workers, entertainers for the duration of the trip, and transport drivers) may work with or without a work permit depending on the specific situation.
The instructions related to work performed by marine workers under paragraph 186(s) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) or to marine work that may require a permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or International Mobility Program have undergone an extensive update to provide officers with clarification and guidance, as well as examples of situations that either meet or do not meet the requirements for working without a permit under paragraph R186(s) and the definition of crew members.
In addition, Operational Bulletin 649 has been added to the program delivery instructions Marine workers – Seaspan above-deck retrofit foreign nationals [R205(a) – C10] – Canadian interests – International Mobility Program
Minor changes were made to the instructions related to Air and land transportation. These instructions will be examined more thoroughly and updates will be published in the near future.
New instructions
- Landing page: Work related to transportation (Marine, Land, or Air travel)
- Marine workers – Overview and definitions
- Marine workers – Crew members employed by a foreign company aboard a means of transportation – Work without a work permit [R186(s)]
- Marine workers – Work permit required under Temporary Foreign Worker Program or International Mobility Program
- Marine workers – Work to support offshore construction inside Canada’s 200 nautical miles (230 miles) EEZ
- Marine workers – Seaspan above-deck retrofit foreign workers [R205(a) – C10] – Canadian interests – International Mobility Program
Updated instructions
- Unique work situations – International Mobility Program and Temporary Foreign Worker Program (instructions related to the Ocean Act have been removed)
The following instructions are under review:
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