(Source: Protocol Office, Global Affairs Canada, www.international.gc.ca)
Spouses and children of foreign missions’ personnel with an Identification card D or J may work in Canada without a work permit, if they have received a note or letter from Global Affairs Canada stating that it authorizes the foreign national to work. This note or letter is normally referred to as a “work authorization.” The Office of Protocol will issue a work authorization if an official request is made from the foreign mission, provided that:
- The applicant is accredited
- A Reciprocal Employment Agreement (REA) exists between Canada and the sending state (See the table below.)
- The applicant provides a copy of a valid offer of employment (in the case of countries that impose such a condition on Canadians)
- The applicant does not intend to operate a business as its sole proprietor, nor operate one as an equal partner
- The applicant understands that their civil and administrative immunities are waived by the sending state, the international organization or the office with regards to this employment
The Office of Protocol will usually process initial requests within ten to fifteen working days. The work authorization note, or “no objection” letter, is only valid for the duration of the accreditation period. If the applicant’s passport expires before the end of the tour, then accreditation is only valid up to the date of expiry on the passport. On receipt of a new passport, the applicant will need to renew his or her Identity Card and request a new “no objection” letter or authorization note to continue employment. If Administrative and Technical staff status is granted, then the work permit will need to be renewed, which could take an additional three to six months to receive, depending on when it is submitted. Updated processing times can be tracked at www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp.asp. Applicants may ask Protocol to send a letter to their employer stating that they have permission to work until their new visa is received.
List of Countries with which Canada has Concluded a Reciprocal Employment Agreement or Arrangement (REA)
Albania
Argentina *
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Benin
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil *
Britain
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Chile
Democratic Republic of Congo *
Colombia*
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic*
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Ethiopia
Finland
France *
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guinea
Guyana *
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India*
Ireland
Israel
Jamaica *
Kenya *
Korea
Latvia
Lebanon *
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mexico
Moldova
Mongolia
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland*
Portugal *
Romania
Rwanda
Senegal
Serbia
Slovak Republic
Spain *
Sri Lanka
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Sweden
Switzerland *
Tanzania
Togo
Trinidad & Tobago
Uganda
United States of America
Uruguay
Venezuela
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
* Reciprocal Employment Agreement under specific terms
Other countries may have bilateral agreements in place to improve employment eligibility. The latter may be obtained by visiting “Foreign Representatives in Canada” at the official Protocol Office website: www.international.gc.ca/protocol-protocole/
The home missions of foreign representatives may assist in the process of applying for a work visa for their staff’s spouses and children. Spouses and dependent children under 25, who wish to work, will need to go to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website to complete an application:
www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/work.asp
Once the application is complete, it is processed the same way as it would be for any other person applying for a work visa in Canada. There is no preferential treatment for foreign representatives. Processing can take from eight weeks to six months to complete. When the work visa is received, an application can then be made for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). To do this, applicants need to find their nearest Service Canada Centre (www.servicecanada.gc.ca). Everyone who is employed in Canada must have a SIN. This number is needed to file the income tax return. Until spouses and children of foreign representatives have completed the above process, they are not allowed to work in Canada. Those who pursue work in Canada without the required permission, permits or licences, and their employers, could face a fine of up to $25,000.
More information can be found at http://www.international.gc.ca/protocol-protocole/policies-politiques/employment-emploi.aspx?lang=eng