ARCHIVED – Temporary public policy to exempt select FIFA-invited foreign nationals from work authorization requirements

Background / Public Policy Considerations

In 2026, Canada will host the 76th Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Congress and play a prominent role in the World Cup matches being played in Toronto, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Columbia. This marks the first time that the men's FIFA World Cup will be played on Canadian soil, making it a historic moment for Canadian soccer.

Select foreign nationals coming to Canada to perform time-limited work associated with the 2026 FIFA Congress and World Cup will support the considerable economic, social, and cultural benefits that this event brings to Canada, including increased tourism, economic activity, and global visibility. Facilitating the entry of these FIFA-invited workers through limited work permit exemptions will streamline the immigration process, thus supporting the successful delivery of a major international event.

Therefore, I hereby establish that there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify granting, in accordance with section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, exemptions from the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Regulations) listed below to foreign nationals who meet the conditions set out below.

Conditions (eligibility requirements):

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified below to a foreign national seeking to enter Canada if:

The foreign national

1. Has applied for a temporary resident visa and has requested to enter and depart Canada between December 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, or is seeking to enter and depart Canada between December 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026;
2. Holds a letter of invitation from FIFA that states:
   1. the foreign national
      1. is an employee of FIFA or one of its affiliates;
      2. holds a contract for goods and services with FIFA or one of its affiliates, or
      3. has been sub-contracted by an entity referred to in (ii); and
   2. the foreign national will be performing work, as defined in section 2 of the Regulations, for a period of time between the dates of December 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, that is directly related to, and critically supports, an official FIFA-organized event.

The exemption granted will apply until July 31, 2026, or upon the revocation of this public policy, whichever comes first.

Provisions of the Regulations for which an exemption may be granted

• Paragraph 183(1)(b) - the condition to not work unless authorized by Part 9 or 11 of the Regulations.
• Section 196 - the requirement to be authorized to work in Canada by a work permit or the Regulations.

Other Admissibility and Selection Criteria:

Foreign nationals eligible under this public policy are subject to all other legislative eligibility and admissibility requirements not exempted under this, or another, public policy.

Effective Date and Expiration:

This public policy revokes and replaces the “Temporary public policy to exempt select FIFA-invited foreign nationals from work authorization requirements” signed on October 27, 2025. All exemptions granted under that public policy will continue to apply until July 31, 2026; or upon the revocation of this public policy, whichever comes first.

This public policy comes into effect on the date it is signed and applies to applications received on or after this date.

This public policy will expire on July 31, 2026, and may be revoked at any time, without prior notice.