New rules for who can work in Canada without a permit

Canada has published new rules applying to foreign nationals seeking entry to Canada under the work permit exemption for business visitors.

For many foreign nationals, seeking entry as a business visitor can be the quickest and easiest way to gain authorization to work in Canada, as many can apply at a port of entry, although the nuanced and complex regulations can be difficult to navigate without professional advice.

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The rules come in the form of updated instructions to officers, published on the immigration department’s website on March 19, 2026.

The updated instructions clarify that the three qualifying scenarios listed in Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations are examples only, and are not meant to be exhaustive:

• Purchasing, or receiving training for, Canadian goods or services.
• Receiving or giving training within a Canadian parent or subsidiary of their foreign employer.
• Selling goods (not to the Canadian general public).

The updated instructions also specify that in the event that the foreign national’s trip will be funded by their employer, the applicant must provide a letter from their employer specifying that financial support, on top of providing proof of their own personal funds.

Lastly, the latest version of the instructions provides guidance to officers on the validity period and number of entries for granting a visa, specifying that “frequent business travellers who have a record of compliance with the terms and conditions of their visa may be eligible to receive a longer-term multiple-entry visa.”

In addition to these changes, the updated instructions include new language, not present in the old version of the instructions, which summarizes criteria that are also found in the instructions to officers on R186(a):

• The foreign national must not be directly entering the Canadian labour market.
• The business activity must be international in scope.
• The foreign national must be remunerated primarily from outside Canada.
• The principal place of business must be located outside Canada.
• The foreign national must provide proof of their business purposes, such as a letter from their foreign employer, along with a letter of invitation from the Canadian entity (if applicable).

In most cases, foreign nationals who meet the criteria for a business visitor will prefer to seek entry under this work permit exemption, rather than undertaking the more arduous process of applying for a work permit that isn’t actually needed.

Get Help Entering Canada as a Business Visitor

The onus will be on the applicant to demonstrate to the officer that they meet all the criteria for the business visitor exemption, including by providing documentation as proof in support of the application.

To streamline the process, many foreign nationals and their employers rely on experienced immigration representatives, who can assist with preparing the strongest possible application, including a letter to immigration officials outlining how a given foreign national’s situation qualifies.

Entry as a business visitor is never guaranteed.

On top of the business visitor criteria, foreign nationals must meet all Canada’s general entry requirements, and whether or not to grant entry is always entirely at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Foreign nationals with criminal records, such as DUIs, may face additional hurdles to meet entry requirements, such as needing to apply for a temporary resident permit, or to seek entry as deemed rehabilitated.

Under Canadian law, foreign nationals may be found criminally inadmissible even if their only offence(s) were minor offences in their jurisdictions, such as misdemeanours in the United States.

Experienced immigration representatives can assist with overcoming criminal inadmissibility.

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