Netflix is opening a new office in Toronto

Netflix has declared to open a new office in Toronto, Ontario. Prior to this announcement, the CEO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, already mentioned that the new head office of Netflix will be opened in Canada. Foreign workers who are coming to work in Canada in the film industry can get the benefit of expedited work permit processing. Toronto is known to be home to one of the two major production hubs of Netflix in Canada. Some of Netflix’s productions that are based in Canada are The Umbrella Academy, Jupiter’s Legacy, and The Queen’s Gambit. Also, Toronto has a progressive film industry. Before the outbreak of the pandemic, the television, digital media, and film sector contributed at least $2 billion to the economy. And more than 30,000 jobs were created through these sectors. Now, when the health and safety guidelines are issued amid the pandemic, it is estimated that the film and television industry will be one of the drivers in Canadian economic recovery. 2020 has been a difficult year for all businesses including the film and television industry. Now, it is believed that Canada’s economy will recover much stronger as new jobs would be lined up through the entertainment sector.

TV and Film Workers get expedited processing

Foreign workers employed in Film and TV industry can get work permits without the requirement of an LMIA Labor Market Impact Assessment. Some foreign workers who want to be employed in Canada’s film industry can be eligible for a Business Visitor visa. Last year, Canada facilitated the Temporary Resident Visa processing for foreign TV and Film workers and they got the work permit within a period of two weeks.

Eligibility criteria for priority processing:

Submit a work permit application if you want to work within the entertainment industry.
Apply for the TRV from outside Canada or U.S.
Send a request to the IRCC and self-identify yourself as a film industry worker.

Requirements to enter Canada

You have to follow the public health measure and safety while traveling to Canada.

A negative COVID-19 test certificate within 72 hours of your arrival in Canada.
If you are arriving in Canada by land, you would be required to take the COVID-19 test.
You have to complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine period and get tested for COVID-19 again.
Only Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary airports are open for travel.
All international travelers will be subjected to COVID-19 testing at the airport and they have to stay in a government-approved hotel and wait for the test results.
Direct flights between Pakistan and India are suspended as of now.