Experts on missions: applying for an official visa or work permit for Canada

The Immigration Liaison Unit of the Office of Protocol is responsible for this web page.

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The following guidelines are for Experts on missions as referred to in Article VI of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. While the Office of Protocol of Global Affairs Canada does not issue accreditation documents (Government of Canada identity cards and acceptance counterfoils) to Experts on missions, it provides guidance on this page to assist them.

These guidelines do not apply to UN officials (staff members), other international civil servants or representatives of Member states to the International Civil Aviation Organization posted to Canada who are asked to follow the guidelines Applying for a visa for a posting to Canada.

For the purposes of these guidelines an Expert on missions (also called “expert performing missions”) means a person who is entrusted by an international organization established in Canada to carry out specific tasks, assignments or a mandate on the organization’s behalf; generally, experts performing missions are not staff members of the international organization having retained their services.

Determine your status and entry requirement

To determine whether an in-Canada international organization’s applicable agreement and corresponding Canadian regulation contain a provision extending status to experts on missions, see International organizations and other offices under the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act.

To note that Experts on missions are not exempt from Canadian immigration requirements, though they benefit from certain privileges and immunities to carry out their assignment/mandate independently.

As an Expert on missions, you must determine whether you require:

  1. an electronic Travel Authorization or a temporary resident visa from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for official travel,
  2. a work permit from IRCC, or
  3. qualify for a short-term work permit exemption, based on your activities and duration of stay.

Official travel - electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

Apply for official travel if travelling to Canada as an Expert on missions on short-term official business for an international organization, for example, to attend or participate in meetings, special assemblies, conferences, or similar official activities. Check if you need a visa or eTA to travel to Canada. Note that if you are travelling on a UN laissez-passer (UNLP), you must apply for TRV.

  • Apply for an Electronic travel authorization (eTA)
  • Apply for an official TRV on the IRCC secure account. Experts on missions are eligible for a fee-exempt TRV and the IRCC Secure Account will allow you to proceed with an application without paying fees. Upload your invitation letter and proof of official purpose as proof of fee-exemption and as support for your purpose of travel. You will be required to enroll your biometrics if you have not previously provided your biometrics to IRCC within the last ten years; however, you will be exempt from paying the biometrics fee. If required, you will receive biometrics instructions after your application is submitted.

Have ready to present to the Canadian Port of Entry (POE) your international organization’s invitation letter and proof of your assignment as an Expert on missions, if required.

Work permit (C10 – Significant benefit)

You must obtain a work permit if your activities in Canada go beyond attending or participating in meetings, conferences, special assemblies, or similar events, or if they will be carried out for an extended period. Once your organization headquartered in Canada has received and provided you with a confirmation email from the Office of Protocol, you should submit a complete work permit application online to IRCC.

As an Expert on missions, you must include the following documents with your online work permit application:

  • Confirmation email from the Office of Protocol
  • Letter from your organization confirming your assignment/mandate as an Expert on missions, completed application forms, payment receipt, passport, and all other required documents; in cases where you have received an employment contract, this too must be submitted

A copy of a positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA) file number and an Offer of employment number are not required. You will be required to pay the application processing fee, and you may be required to pay the biometrics fee if you have not previously provided your biometrics to IRCC within the last 10 years. If required, you will receive instructions to enroll your biometrics after your application is submitted.

Employer requirements, including requesting a mandatory confirmation email from the Office of Protocol

An international organization established in Canada may assign work to Experts on missions with a LMIA exemption (administrative code C10 – Significant benefit to Canada) with support of a confirmation email from the Office of Protocol. The international organization must first contact the Office of Protocol’s Immigration Liaison Unit to request the confirmation email with the following information:

  • Full name and date of birth of the Expert on missions
  • Current status in Canada, if applicable
  • Duration of assignment/mandate in Canada
  • Curriculum vitae (C.V.) of the Expert
  • Statement from the international organization regarding the Expert`s distinguished expertise in their field and the importance of the work the Expert will be performing

A new written confirmation from the Office of Protocol that clearly outlines the new duration of assignment/mandate is required for work permit extensions beyond the initial assignment/mandate.

International organizations established in Canada are also exempt from the employer compliance regime and no offer of employment or employer compliance fee is required to be submitted via the IRCC Employer Portal.

Please send a notification message to Immigration Liaison Unit after the work permit application is submitted with the file number (W plus nine digits).

Port of Entry (POE) applications

Visa-exempt individuals may apply for a work permit at a POE if eligible, but must carry all required documentation, including the Office of Protocol confirmation.

Extension of work permit: in-Canada application process

If you are already in Canada and your initial work permit is about to expire, you may apply for a work permit extension.

Applicants must include:

  • A new email confirmation from the Office of Protocol that clearly outlines the new duration of assignment/mandate
  • A letter from your organization confirming your assignment/mandate as an Expert on missions, completed application forms, payment receipt, passport, and all other required documents; in cases where you have received a contract, this too must be submitted

Note that a copy of a positive LMIA and LMIA file number and an Offer of employment number are not required.

Short-term work permit exemption

You may be exempt from a work permit if your assignment is for up to 15 days (once every 6 month period) or up to 30 days (once every 12 month period) and falls under a high-skilled occupation (TEER 0 or 1 under Find your National Occupational Classification (NOC)). If you are eligible for this work permit exemption, apply for an eTA or TRV as per Official Travel - electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) If your occupation does not fall under TEER 0 or 1 or if you will work for a longer period, a work permit is required.

When you arrive at a Canadian POE, you must prove to the border services officer that you meet the requirements of a short-term work permit exemption. Have ready to present your letter of assignment/mandate containing the details of the work you will perform, the NOC code and job title of your occupation in Canada, and the period of employment (start and end date).

Key reminders

When applying online for an eTA, visa or work permit, please apply well in advance with a complete application and monitor your IRCC account for further instructions.

Please be aware that the Office of Protocol does not process applications for visitor visas and eTAs, study permits or open work permits for accompanying family members. Nor does it respond to enquiries on the status of applications, help with expediting the processing of applications, overcome an IRCC decision or redirect enquiries to IRCC.

Taxation

There is no provision under Article VI of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations that expressly grants Experts on missions the privilege of freedom from national taxation, such as income taxes and consumer taxes (example, federal Goods and Services Tax).

The Office of Protocol does not provide guidance to Experts on missions regarding their tax exposure while in Canada. Experts on missions seeking guidance regarding their local tax or other obligations should feel free to consult a legal practitioner or tax expert.