To work in Canada as a performing artist
You don’t need a work permit if:
- you’re a foreign artist or a member of the artist’s key support staff (people vital to the performance)
- you will perform in Canada for a limited period of time
- you’re not being hired for ongoing employment by the Canadian group that has contracted you
- you’re not involved in making a movie, television or radio broadcast
Examples include:
- a foreign-based band or theatre group and their key crew
- street performers (buskers)
- disc jockeys
- members of a foreign or travelling circus
- guest artists working within a Canadian performance group for a limited time
- World Wrestling Entertainment wrestlers and members of similar groups
- people who will perform at a private event, such as a wedding
- air show performers
- rodeo contestants
- artists attending or working at a showcase
- film producers (business visitors)
- film and recording studio users (limited to business visitors and to small groups renting studios who will not enter the labour market)
- people doing guest spots on Canadian television and radio broadcasts (guest speakers), such as news programs
If you’re a performing artist but you don’t meet the conditions above, you need a work permit with a labour market impact assessment.