I was recently asked whether an opera singer working in Canada for three months requires a work permit and a Labour Market Impact Assessment. The answer is.. it depends. Section 186(g) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (“IRPR“) provides that: Work Without a Work Permit 186. A foreign national may work in Canada without a work permit (g) as a performing artist appearing alone or in a group in an artistic performance — other than a performance that is primarily for a film production or a television or radio broadcast — or as a member of the staff of such a performing artist or group who is integral to the artistic performance, if (i) they are part of a foreign production or group, or are a guest artist in a Canadian production or group, performing a time-limited engagement, and (ii) they are not in an employment relationship with the organization or business in Canada that is contracting for their services. No Work Permit Required Examples of performing artists who do not need a work permit to work in Canada include: Foreign-based musical and theatrical individuals and groups and their essential crew; street performers (buskers), DJs; busking; a foreign or traveling … Read More