Film & TV Work Permits for Canada

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If you’re getting ready to shoot a film or tv project in Canada, your team is probably wondering if you need work permits.

You may have done your own research, and found conflicting information about what’s required to enter Canada with your film equipment. Or, you may be one of the many people who never research work permits, and visit this web page while being detained by the Canadian Border Security Agency.

Whether you are an actor, model, producer, agent, or production crew, this page will offer helpful information on working in Canada. Our law firm has experience helping film crews and actors enter Canada, and we can help you too!

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Do I really need a work permit to shoot a film/ad in Canada?

Not all scenarios require a work permit. Around 50% of filming in Canada is work-permit exempt. Canada welcomes the film industry; since 2016, many laws have been reformed to make it easier to film in Canada. However, while some productions might not need a work permit, that doesn’t mean you should hop on the next flight to Vancouver with your 5 suitcases of film equipment.

We have a simple philosophy about foreign artists and film crews entering Canada: don’t show up ill prepared and try to talk your way in. You may not need a work permit, but you will certainly need a professionally prepared “Entry Package”.

An Entry Package takes all the stress and worry out of your travel to Canada. It is a set of documents assembled by your immigration attorney, which will quickly prove to Canada Immigration officials that your Film / TV employment situation doesn’t require a work permit.

We often represent foreign artists, rodeo contestants, and performers who didn’t need a work permit in the first place. Nobody wants to be refused entry to Canada because they couldn’t explain or couldn’t prove why they don’t need a work permit. Get an entry package and avoid hassles.

How long does it take to get a Canada work permit for an actor or a film crew?

After consulting with an attorney you may realize you definitely require a work permit. You may be concerned about the processing time. Fortunately, most film-related work permits can be obtained quickly.

Many film work permit applications can be submitted when you arrive at the Canadian airport or land-port. These are known as “Port of Entry” work permit applications. A Port of Entry film work permit is usually approved in 30 minutes or less. The border guard has a special printer at the airport where your work permit is printed on the spot as you wait.

In some cases, your film or tv work permit application will need to be filed prior to arrival. Film and tv work permits can be filed online or at the Canadian Consulates in LA or New York. In our experience, the online applications take around 14 days, on average.

Some very diligent film producers insist that all crew work permit applications are filed far in advance. Then, permits and visas are approved all at once, increasing efficiency because there is certainty that filming will start on time.

Do I need to include a letter from a film union or guild with my work permit application?

If you are coming to Canada to work on a larger production, you will likely need to get a letter from a union or guild to support your request for a work permit. This is similar to the Authorized Petitioner process in the USA. Unlike in the USA, however, none of the unions or guilds in Canada provide “visa services” and they do not provide the same services as immigration lawyers. In Canadian film production, the union or guild only provides a letter of support or non-objection for IRCC.

Clients often react with dismay when we explain this requirement applies to them, but they shouldn’t. It’s surprisingly fast and painless to get the required letter. We often help clients obtain these letters from organizations like Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) and Canadian Actors Equity Association (CAEA).

Are you concerned that the union or guild will not give you a letter of support for your work permit? Letters of no-objection are very common in the Canadian film industry and hundreds of these are issued each year. The union or guild responsible for your production may be much more welcoming and willing to prepare the letter than you expect. It’s important to explain your project correctly to the union or guild, and we can recommend the right verbiage to include in your application.

We have a big film crew for this project. What’s the best way to organize this? We’re bringing 100+ people to work on a shoot.

We understand your production is on a tight schedule and we know it’s critical your filming start on time. We also know you don’t have time to track down everyone’s passports and assemble documents and forms.

Our firm has the right systems to organize your crew’s entry to Canada, and we take the worry and stress out of the process. We specialize in bulk orders of work permits and LMIAs for the film industry. We use an automated document collection system, so all crew members can easily upload their ID and other critical documents. Our intake process is mobile-friendly, and even if you’re already on the road we’ve got you covered with our streamlined process.

Some of the people in our crew have a criminal record/DUI. Can they still get a film visa or performer work permit?

Anyone who has been charged, convicted, or is awaiting trial for any offense must follow a special process to enter Canada. People with any type of criminal history may need to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit. The more time that has passed since the offense, the more likely it is that the application will be approved. We have successfully obtained Temporary Resident Permits for people convicted for Assault, Sexual Assault, Robbery, Battery, Theft, DUI, and many other crimes. If you work with a performing artist or crew member who has been in trouble with the law, contact us for advice from an experienced immigration lawyer.