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Canada Work Permit Exemption

In conjunction with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and as a component of the Global Skills Strategy, the Short-Term Work Permit Exemption was introduced by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department of the Canadian federal government. 

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Note: The update to the public policy on November 16, 2022 supersedes the Public Policy facilitating entry into Canada for short term work signed on June 12, 2017.

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This exemption should not be confused with the 2 year Temporary Open Work Permit Policy recently introduced by the IRCC

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Work in Canada without a work permit

 

In a manner analogous to that of economic employers, degree-granting institutions in Canada and affiliated research institutions occasionally require the services of highly specialized foreign researchers for limited amounts of time in order to produce research of an international standard.

 

The top research institutions in Canada are in competition with their counterparts from the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world for the recruitment of foreign researchers who possess uncommon and highly specialized expertise. The implementation of facilitative measures through the implementation of this policy will assist Canadian institutions in the recruitment of top-tier researchers and will increase the number of opportunities for Canadian researchers to collaborate with top-tier researchers from other countries.

 

Why is such an exemption introduced? 

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Foreigners with high skills who come to Canada for short periods of time are good for the economy, but they don't have much of an effect on the job market. Work permit exemptions will make it easier for these workers to come to Canada. This will remove financial and administrative barriers for Canadian employers, make Canadian firms in the knowledge economy more competitive, and encourage more economic activity in Canada.

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Who qualifies for a Short-Term Work Permit Exemption?

 

The temporary measure delegates an officer to grant an an exemption for 15, 30 or 120 consecutive days from the requirements of the Regulations identified below to a foreign national seeking to enter Canada if:

 

  1. The foreign national

    • Plans to work in a job listed in Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility (TEER) Category 0 or 1 of the National Occupation Classification, as defined in section 2 of the Regulations, for up to 15 days in a row; and

    • Has not been previously granted an exemption under this public policy in the last 6 months;

  2. The foreign national

    • Plans to work for up to 30 days in a job that is listed in TEER Category 0 or 1 of the National Occupation Classification, as defined in section 2 of the Regulations; and

    • Has not been previously granted an exemption under this public policy in the last 12 months; or

  3. The foreign national

    • After getting an offer from a publicly funded Canadian degree-granting institution or its affiliated research institution, plans to work as a researcher for up to 120 days in a row;

    • Has a big part to play in the research project or something of value to add.;

    • when seeking to enter Canada, on the request of an officer, produced a written confirmation from the institution, which includes the description and duration of the work, and

    • has not been previously granted an exemption under this public policy in the last 12 months

  4. Is not inadmissible to Canada and meets all required selection criteria. 

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What are the requirements to apply for an exemption from a work permit under the new public policy in Canada. 

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To apply for the exemption to work permit requirements, you must provide the following:

  1. Your employer gives you a formal job offer

  2. A letter from your employer explaining what you do, your NOC code, and how long you've been working there.

  3. A letter from the qualifying institution confirming your research, NOC code, and duties

  4. Proof of academic qualifications

  5. Description of how your contribution is important to the research you are doing and how it will add value to it.

  6. No matter if you are already working in Canada or not, your authorized work period starts on the date your exemption is granted.

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