You don’t need a work permit

You don’t need a work permit if you’re coming to Canada as a researcher who

If you’re eligible, you may need a visitor visa or electronic travel authorization to come to Canada.

You need a visitor record to get a social insurance number

You must get a visitor record as soon as you arrive in Canada. If you don’t have a visitor record, you can’t

How to get your visitor record

When you arrive in Canada, you’ll either go to

When asked about your purpose of travel to Canada, say

You’ll then be referred to immigration for processing. Your visitor record must list the condition “authorized to work” in the remarks section.

Wait times to get your visitor record

Wait times at busy ports of entry may be long. Don’t leave until you get your visitor record with “authorized to work” listed in the remarks section.

If you arrive by air

Make sure you have enough layover time if you have a connecting flight after you enter Canada. You must request your visitor record as soon as you arrive in Canada. Wait times can be long at busy airports.

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

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2025-06-17