As Canada welcomes a resurgence of international conferences and trade events this summer—ranging from technology expos to agricultural conventions—foreign professionals are once again traveling to the country in growing numbers. Maple News reports that it’s critical for non-Canadian service providers working under contract at these events to understand the specific entry and work permit requirements before arriving.
The Government of Canada defines a “foreign event” as one that is hosted by an organization headquartered outside of Canada. A prime example is the globally recognized Collision Conference, hosted by Ireland-based Web Summit, which will be rebranded as ‘Web Summit Vancouver’ when it takes place in British Columbia next May.
Foreign attendees visiting such events as guests or spectators typically only require the standard travel documents: a visitor visa or, for those from visa-exempt countries, an electronic travel authorization (eTA). However, foreign professionals who are actively working at the event—handling setup, logistics, or technical services—may face additional requirements.
According to Maple News, certain professionals such as event planners, exhibit managers, conference organizers, and destination marketers do not need a work permit if they’re contracted to support these foreign events. However, individuals providing hands-on services such as installing or dismantling exhibitions, audio-visual production, lighting, staging, and electrical work must obtain a work permit.
Fortunately, many of these contract workers may qualify for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permit—specifically, the Significant Benefit Work Permit. This special permit stream allows foreign workers to provide niche, high-value services to foreign event organizers in Canada without the extended LMIA application process.
To be eligible, the applicant must be under contract with a foreign organizer or exhibitor, be engaged in specialized event services like AV or electrical work, and play a supervisory role overseeing local Canadian workers. This framework ensures that while foreign expertise can be utilized, Canadian labor remains central to the execution of such events.
Applicants must prepare a complete application that includes a formal service agreement, a detailed resume, and evidence of supervisory responsibilities. Visa-exempt applicants may apply for the work permit at the Canadian border, while those requiring a visa must apply online well in advance to accommodate processing times.
Maple News advises service providers planning to work at foreign-led events in Canada to assess their eligibility early. Doing so will prevent last-minute delays and ensure compliance with Canadian immigration law.