All foreign nationals require a work permit in order to work in Canada unless exempted. 

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Following group of persons are authorized to work in Canada without work permit -

Athletes and coaches -  Foreign teams, athletes and coaches can compete in Canada without work permit in events such as

•  Racing car drivers​

• Recreation athletes

• Professional or semi-professional - coming for trials, before contract is awarded

• Professional or semi-professional - foreign-based team

• Individual competitions (for prize money)

• Amateur (includes Junior A, B Hockey)

Aviation accident or incident investigators -  Accredited representatives or advisors coming to Canada to work on an aviation accident or incident investigation conducted under the authority of the Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act do not need a work permit

Business visitors - Business visitors do not need a work permit. A business visitor is someone who comes to Canada to engage in international business activities without directly entering the Canadian Labour Market. 

Civil Aviation Inspectors - Inspectors coming to Canada to inspect the flight operations or cabin safety of commercial airlines during international flights, employed by recognized aeronautical authority do not need a work permit.

Clergy, Religious and Charitable workers - People coming to Canada to work as ordained ministers, lay persons or members of a religious order do not need a work permit to perform their religious duties or assist a religious group. These religious duties may include preaching doctrine, presiding at liturgical functions or providing spiritual counselling.

Convention organizers - Organizers and administrative staff of international meetings or conventions being held in Canada do not need a work permit.

Crew members - Foreign crew members, such as truck drivers, bus drivers, shipping and airline personnel, do not require work permit when they are working on vehicles of foreign ownership and registry that are engaged primarily in the international transport of cargo and passengers and their work is related to the operation of vehicles or the provision of services to passengers.

Emergency service providers - People coming to Canada to help out in an emergency do not need a work permit if they ae coming to this country to help preserve life or property. 

Examiners and evaluators - Foreign professors and academic experts coming to Canada to evaluate or supervise academic projects, research proposals or university theses do not need work permit. This applies to Canadian research organizations as well as to academic institutions.

Expert witnesses or investigators - Experts coming to Canada to conduct surveys, or analyses to be used as evidence, or persons who will be expert witnesses before a regulatory body, tribunal or court of law.

Family members of foreign representatives - To work in Canada without a permit, a foreign representative's spouse, son or daughter must obtain an accreditation and have letter of no-objection from DFAIT

Foreign government officers - Canada has exchange agreements with some countries for officials to work in each other's government departments. Government officials coming to work in Canada do not need a work permit, but they must bring a formal letter of agreement if they will be working in Canada here for longer than three months.

Foreign representatives - Diplomats and official representatives of other countries or the United Nations and their staff can work in Canada without work permit, if they are properly accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, and are in Canada to carry out official duties as a diplomatic agent, consular officer, representative or official of a country other than Canada, of the United Nations or any of its agencies or of any international organization of which Canada is a member.

Judges, referees and similar officials - Officials at international amateur competitions can come to Canada to judge or officiate without a work permit. 

Military personnel - NATO military personnel with civilian component. Members of an armed force from another country can work in Canada without a work permit if they have movement orders stating that they are entering Canada under the terms of the Visiting Forces Act. 

News reporters, film and media crews - An employee of a foreign news company does not need a work permit to report on events in Canada. 

Performing artists and Film producers - Foreign artists and their essential support staff, the people that are integral to the performance, can work in Canada without a permit.

Public speakers - Guest speakers, commercial speakers or seminar leaders can speak or deliver training in Canada without a work permit as long as the event is no longer than five days.

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