To work in Canada as a performing artist

You don’t need a work permit if:

• you’re a foreign artist or a member of the artist’s key support staff (people vital to the performance)
• you will perform in Canada for a limited period of time
• you’re not being hired for ongoing employment by the Canadian group that has contracted you
• you’re not involved in making a movie, television or radio broadcast

Examples include:

• a foreign-based band or theatre group and their key crew
• street performers (buskers)
• disc jockeys
• members of a foreign or travelling circus
• guest artists working within a Canadian performance group for a limited time
• World Wrestling Entertainment wrestlers and members of similar groups
• people who will perform at a private event, such as a wedding
• air show performers
• rodeo contestants
• artists attending or working at a showcase
• film producers (business visitors)
• film and recording studio users (limited to business visitors and to small groups renting studios who will not enter the labour market)
• people doing guest spots on Canadian television and radio broadcasts (guest speakers), such as news programs

If you’re a performing artist but you don’t meet the conditions above, you need a work permit with a labour market impact assessment.