Canada has released the full list of nations and territories whose people can apply for a work permit directly at a port of entry (POE) instead of going through the typical pre-travel application process.
The Canadian government stated that although it is usually advised for candidates to obtain their work permit prior to travel, some people may apply after they arrive as long as they fulfill all requirements.
Requirements for a port-of-entry work permit
The Canadian government’s official website states that in order to be qualified, the applicant and any accompanying family members must meet a number of requirements.
The most important of these is being a citizen or resident of a nation or territory that does not require a visa. “You should apply for your work permit before you travel to Canada,” the ministry advises.
However, if you qualify, you and any family members traveling with you may apply when you arrive in Canada.
Additionally, according to the guidelines, qualified travelers must “be from a visa-exempt country or territory or be a visa-exempt traveler (for example, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.).”
Full list of visa-exempt countries and territories
The countries and territories currently recognised as visa-exempt by Canada include:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- British citizens
- British national overseas
- British Overseas citizens
- British Overseas Territories
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn Island
- Saint Helena
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- British subjects with right of abode in the UK
- Brunei
- Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- SAR (passport issued by Hong Kong SAR required)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel (national Israeli passport required)
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Papua
- New Guinea
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Republic of Korea
- Romania (electronic passport holders only)
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (ordinary passport with personal identification number required)
- United Arab Emirates
- Vatican City State (passport or travel document issued by the Vatican required)
Only a few nations from Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific are represented on the list, which is dominated by European countries.
Notably, neither South America nor mainland Africa is on the list of countries that do not require a visa; thus, residents in those regions must apply for a Canadian work permit via the regular process before departing.