As Canada prepares to host the 76th FIFA Congress and key matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto and Vancouver, the federal government has announced a targeted public policy to streamline the entry of select foreign workers supporting the event. To ensure the successful delivery of FIFA-related operations, Canada is offering limited work-permit exemptions for certain foreign nationals invited by FIFA. These exemptions are designed to simplify immigration processing for individuals whose work is critical to the Congress and World Cup.
Who Is Eligible?
Delegated immigration officers may grant exemptions to foreign nationals who meet all of the following conditions:
- Travel Timing: The individual has applied for a temporary resident visa and intends to enter and leave Canada between December 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026. Those already seeking to enter within this timeframe also qualify.
- Official FIFA Invitation: The person must hold a letter of invitation from FIFA stating that the individual will be performing “work” (as defined by Canada’s immigration regulations) during the approved dates and that this work directly supports an official FIFA-organized event. The letter must also confirm that they:
- are an employee of FIFA or one of its affiliates, or
- hold a contract for goods and services with FIFA or an affiliate, or
- have been subcontracted by one of the above entities.
- Listing on FIFA Microsite: The individual must appear on FIFA’s designated microsite as someone who has received an official invitation.
What Regulations Are Being Temporarily Exempted?
Eligible foreign nationals may receive exemptions from:
- Paragraph 183(1)(b): The rule prohibiting work without authorization.
- Section 196: The requirement to hold a work permit or be otherwise authorized to work in Canada.
These exemptions only apply until July 31, 2026, or until the policy is revoked; whichever comes first.
What Stays the Same?
Even with these exemptions, all applicants must still meet all other admissibility and eligibility requirements under Canadian immigration law. Only the specific work-authorization rules listed above are being waived.
Consultations are recommended as visa-requiring nationals may be subject to background checks that can delay the visa processing times. Travelers requiring consular services, are advised to prepare applications as soon as possible as consular processing times can increase in the months and weeks leading to the event
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.
This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.
