Working in Canada as an Athlete

There are specific requirements for athletes and staff looking to work in Canada could it either be temporarily or permanently.

Canada is usually a host of different sporting events, attracting athletes and coaches from around the world to come and compete.

Many Canadian cities have teams that participate in North American sports leagues such as the NHL, NBA, MLB, and MLS, and other international sports competitions of all varieties are often held throughout Canada.

Athletes and staff working for a non-Canadian employer

Many foreign athletes and coaches earn their livelihood through sport, when they come to Canada for sporting events they are effectively working in Canada, technically speaking they are foreign workers. In most cases, the rules and regulation of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program do not apply in the context of visiting athletes and coaches.

So as long as these individuals are a member of a foreign-based team or an individual athlete representing a foreign country, a work permit is generally not required. The same ruling for any of the foreign team or athlete’s essential personal and support staff.

Athletes and staff joining a Canadian employer

If a foreign national wants to join a Canada-based sports team or represent Canada as an individual athlete, a well prepared work permit application is needed.