You may need a work permit Someone working for a foreign diplomatic mission, consular post or government needs a work permit

You don’t need a work permit if you’re

• attending any of the following
  • a business meeting
  • a trade convention
  • an exhibition (not selling to the public)
• procuring Canadian goods and services
• providing after-sales services as part of a warranty or sales agreement
• a foreign government official not accredited to Canada
• a certain type of foreign national in the commercial production industry, such as
  • advertising, or
  • film or recording industry, including those using studios (limited to small groups that are renting studios and not entering the labour market)

You need a work permit if you’re working as

• a U.S. Internal Revenue Service employee coming to Canada temporarily to perform audits and conduct criminal investigations
• locally engaged staff for a diplomatic mission or consular post
  • You must have come to Canada for another reason.
  • For example, you came to Canada to study and have been asked to work at the diplomatic mission when your studies end.
• tourism liaison office staff for foreign governments
• an intern working at diplomatic missions in Canada
• an expert on mission at diplomatic missions in Canada

Type of work permit

If you need a work permit, you can apply for an employer-specific work permit.

Your employer doesn’t need to get a labour market impact assessment or to submit an offer of employment to hire you. You must provide a copy of your job contract or employment letter when you apply.

When you fill out your work permit application form, select “Other” as the type of work permit you’re applying for. For more details, see the instruction guides that applies to you:

• Workers in Canada
• Workers outside Canada

How to apply for a work permit