How to get a work permit as a TV and Film Production worker
How to get a work permit as a TV and Film Production worker
The Canadian government facilitates work permit processing for foreign TV and film production (industry) workers.
Television and film production companies can bring workers to Canada through the TV and Film Production Work Permit Category if they can demonstrate that the work to be performed by the foreign worker is essential to production. If you submit your work permit application online as a TV or Film worker, you may be eligible for three-week processing.
Work permits given through the TV and Film Production Work Permit Category are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement.
Work permits may not require an LMIA if the work to be done will provide a cultural, social, or economic benefit to Canada. Canada recognizes that TV and film shoots generate jobs, revenue, and infrastructure development, therefore foreign film and TV crews may be eligible for facilitated work permits and expedited processing times.
Although there is no LMIA requirement, foreign workers must comply with all other provisions regarding temporary work in Canada, including obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa, if applicable. In addition, applicants applying for a work permit under this category must provide documentation to support that they meet the requirements for this category.
A letter of support from the production should include specifications such as:
- The name and contact information for the production
- The name of the work permit applicant for the production
- The province(s) in Canada in which the production will take place and the proposed dates of production
- The working title of the production
- A statement confirming that the individual and position are essential to that specific TV or film production
- Details of the significant economic benefit to Canada of TV or film production.
If the position is unionized, a letter from the relevant union or guild, which should include specifications such as:
- The description of the union or guild,
- The name of the work permit applicant
- The working title of the production
- The province(s) in Canada in which the production will take place and the proposed dates of production
- A statement for the officer’s consideration indicating that the union or guild is of the view that the work to be performed is subject to a collective agreement and that it has no objection to the foreign national working in the specified position for the specified company
Business Visitors in the Entertainment Industry
If you work in the entertainment industry, you may qualify as a business visitor. Depending on the nature and duration of your work in Canada, as a business visitor, you would not need a work permit.
Typically, there are three types of workers in the entertainment industry that would qualify as business visitors:
- Film Producersworking on a movie, TV show, or documentary which must be a foreign-financed production.
- Essential Personalworking on foreign-financed commercial shoots.
- Must be entering Canada for a short duration, usually no more than two weeks
- Performing artists performing at a show, concert, or festival, or maybe appearing as a guest on a TV series or film being filmed in Canada.
- Must be entering Canada for a time-limited engagement.
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What are your options for Canadian Immigration?
We will help you to navigate any of the following pathways to Canadian Immigration:
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Humanitarian and Compassionate
- Study to Immigrate
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
- How to Become a Canadian Citizen: Applying for Canadian Citizenship
- Family Sponsorship
- Spousal Sponsorship
- Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Workers Program
- Caregivers
- Canada Business Immigration Programs
- Refugee and Asylum
- Visa rejections and Appeals
Chugo Immigration Service is authorized to offer Canadian Immigration and Citizenship services under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Principal Consultant, Pius Chukwuma Ekwulugo RCIC, is a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and has helped many foreigners to start a new life in Canada. We will help you too!
For effective and diligent legal help regarding Canadian Immigration matters, we partner with Weekes Law Office. For international recruitment of foreign workers to Canada, we partner with Godzone International Recruiting.
What Do I Do Next?
Are you looking for an immigration pathway to Canada? If you do not know where to look and how to start, we invite you to book an eligibility consultation with us. We will prepare an individualized assessment report for you and guide you on your immigration journey to Canada.
Send your CV/Resume to Godzone International Recruiting Inc.
