Foreign nationals invited to serve as judges, referees or similar officials at certain international events in Canada may be authorized to work without a work permit, provided they meet IRCC’s eligibility requirements.
Who may qualify to work without a permit
The work-permit exemption applies to judges, referees and similar officials involved in an international amateur sports competition, an international cultural or artistic event or competition, or an animal or agricultural competition.
To qualify, the foreign national must be able to demonstrate that they have the training, expertise or experience needed to adequately judge or referee the event. They must also have an official invitation letter from the event’s governing body or organizing committee.
- The invitation letter should detail the official’s role, the competition dates and the event’s international nature.
Requirements for amateur sports competitions
For an international amateur sports competition, the event should be organized by an international amateur sporting association and hosted by a Canadian organization.
An amateur competition is generally one in which athletes are not paid to compete or participate. Athletes may receive expense stipends, training grants or tax-deferred qualifying performance income, but would not receive a full-time salary or compensation for participating in the sport.
IRCC notes that amateur events may include the University Games and the Winter or Summer Olympics, where judges and referees volunteer rather than receive a salary for adjudicating.
Professional sports officials and event conditions
Referees of professional sports competitions generally require a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment from Employment and Social Development Canada and a work permit, except where leagues have reciprocal arrangements for Canadian referees. Professional competitions are generally those in which athletes are paid to compete or participate.
Although no work permit is issued to people authorized to work under this exemption, mandatory conditions still apply by law. An officer may issue a visitor record listing those conditions or imposing additional conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can judges at cultural, artistic, animal or agricultural events use this exemption?
Yes, the exemption covers judges or similar officials invited to international cultural or artistic events or competitions, as well as animal shows and agricultural competitions, if they meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
Source: Official IRCC announcement