How to get a work permit as a TV and Film Production worker in Canada?

Surya Rathee
[Published 26 Jul, 2022 | 12:02 PM]
About Author - 14 min read

For people involved in the film and television industries, Canada offers many employment and income opportunities. Additionally, the Canadian government is providing international film and television production firms with work visas so they can film in Canada.

According to the new regulations, Canada has mostly lifted the COVID-19 restrictions and now allows fully immunized visitors to enter without having to undergo COVID testing prior to their trip. It also eases the need for masks in many provinces. The Canadian government reportedly made significant investments in the TV and film industries this year. Canada anticipates a successful year for its entertainment industry production enterprises.

If a company producing television or film can show that the foreign worker's contribution is crucial to the production, they may be able to bring the worker into Canada under the TV and Film Production Work Permit Category. You can be entitled to a three-week processing period if you apply for a work visa online and are employed in the TV or film industries. The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement is not applicable to work permits issued under the TV and Film Production Work Permit Category.

If the work will benefit Canada's culture, society, or economy, work permits might not need an LMIA. Canadian authorities may grant streamlined work permits and accelerated processing timeframes to international film and television crews since they understand how jobs, income, and infrastructure development are produced by film and television productions. Despite the absence of an LMIA requirement, foreign workers must abide by all other rules pertaining to temporary employment in Canada, including, if necessary, acquiring a Temporary Resident Visa. Applicants must also present proof that they fit the criteria for this category when applying for a work visa under this category.

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The following details ought to be in the production's letter of support:

• the production's name and contact information
• The production's work permit applicant's name
• The Canadian province(s) where the project will be filmed as well as the anticipated shooting dates
• The production's working title
• A declaration stating that the person and position are crucial to that particular TV or film production
• Specifics of the TV or film production's major economic advantage to Canada

In the event that the position is unionized, a letter from the appropriate guild or union, which should include details like:

• The union or guild's description
• The applicant's name for a work permit
• The production's working title
• The Canadian province(s) where the project will be filmed as well as the anticipated shooting dates
• A declaration stating that the union or guild believes the job to be done is covered by a collective agreement and that it has no issues with the foreign national working in the designated position for the designated company should be submitted for the officer's consideration.

TV and Film Production worker coming on Business Visitors Visa

You might be also eligible to enter as a business visitor if you work in the entertainment sector. You might not require a work permit as a business visitor depending on the type and length of your job in Canada.

In general, three categories of workers in the entertainment sector would be considered business visitors:

• Producers of the film, television programmes, or documentaries that must be financed by a foreign entity.
• Essential workers of the team working on a commercial shoot that was financed internationally whose entry into Canada must be temporary, typically no longer than two weeks.
• performing musicians taking the stage at a show, concert, or festival, or they might be guests on a TV show or movie being shot in Canada. Must be travelling to Canada for a brief period of time.

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To sum up, the social, cultural, and economic benefits of the film industry as a whole have been recognised by the Canadian government. As a result, the nation is providing simplified work visas to experts from other countries' film industries. It is simple for the producers, actors, and crew to obtain work permits to film in Canada.