Canadian work permits are required for events organized by foreign organizations.
Are you planning to visit Canada to organize a convention or conference? Find out which members of your team require permits to work and which ones do not.
If you’re thinking of organizing your event within Canada next year, Canada has facilitated work permits for foreign event planners. An attorney can assist you in getting into Canada as a business traveler, and they can also assist you in getting an LMIA-exempt work permit.
If you’re an event delegate or an administrative support employee, you’re classified as a business visitor. You don’t need authorization to work because you aren’t entering the Canadian labor market.
Work permits are typically required for those traveling to Canada to perform work. Canada has two types of work permits: the temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP). The primary difference is the need for what is known as a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The LMIA informs Canadian authorities that there isn’t a Canadian resident available or competent to perform the job. It’s designed to prove that there is no negative impact on the Canadian labor market should foreign workers be hired to do their work. IMP work permits don’t need an LMIA since they are deemed to bring significant benefit to Canada’s social, economic or cultural goals.
This article will discuss what you should do to obtain an employment permit and when you don’t.
No permit for work is required.
Administrative support staff and Organizers
Staff members of the organizing committee and administrative assistants of the organizing committee are business travelers. They are not required to have the authorization to work if a foreign entity organizes the event.
Event planners for foreign companies
There is no need for authorization to work for work that is on contract with an international company, provided that your job description is in line with any of these:
- event planner;
- exhibit manager;
- the professional organizer of conferences;
- Personnel from the destination marketing company or
- Event Accommodation Consultant.
Work permits required, no LMIA
Displays are being set up.
Employees of the company will need permission to construct and remove a booth or display that is more than the size of a portable pop-up. They don’t require an LMIA.
Contract Service Providers
Contract foreign service providers require authorization to work for things like:
- the assembling and dismantling of an exhibit or show
- Audio-video and staging or show-decorating services and
- lighting, carpet installation carpentry, electrical, or lighting work.
Foreign service providers that are supervisory personnel on contract for events in foreign countries must also have work permits. Work permits for this purpose don’t require an LMIA if the supervisors are in charge of local employees.
