Canada requires athletes and staff to meet strict requirements for employment. The criteria for work permits for athletes differ depending on whether your staff is based in Canada or abroad.
Athletes and staff who are employed by a non-Canadian company
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is designed to assist foreign nationals who need to work abroad. The law and regulations of the TFWP do not apply to foreign athletes and coaches. It would be excessively onerous to require these people to follow TFWP practices and norms, which would prevent Canada from participating in international sports.
As a result, athletes representing foreign nations and members of foreign teams rarely need work visas. As well as all members of the athlete’s and foreign team’s support staff.
Joining a Canadian employer as an athlete or staff member
Typically, a work visa is required for foreign athletes who compete on Canadian soil or for teams based in Canada.
The process of obtaining a work permit for athletes is still simplified in this case, since most of the paperwork is removed. The most difficult part of obtaining a work permit is completing the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is not necessary for some athletes.
LMIAs typically require the Canadian employer to show that there are labor shortages. This is because a Canadian citizen or permanent resident cannot fill the position. Because even a tiny mistake can compromise the success of LMIA applications, they are carefully examined.
Exemptions from the LMIA do not require a labor shortage to qualify for a work permit. Therefore, it is essential to verify that athletes qualify for this type of work visa and that their work permit application is complete prior to their departure.
