Canada has issued new work visa rules for certain foreign workers coming for FIFA-related work that only lasts for a short time. The work permit exemption aims to make it easier for the people who help run the tournament to enter the country.
Eligibility Criteria
- Apply for a temporary resident visa between December 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026.
- Hold an official invitation letter from FIFA, confirming you are:
- An employee of FIFA or one of its partners
- Someone who has a contract with FIFA or those partners
- Sub-contracted by a company already working with FIFA
- Be doing work directly related to the World Cup or FIFA Congress, between the above dates.
- Your name must appear on FIFA’s special list of invited workers.
Even with the exemption, an eligible foreign national must still:
- Apply for a temporary resident visa to enter Canada.
- Meet all other immigration and admissibility requirements under Canadian law.
The special rules will apply until July 31, 2026, or until Canada decides to end them. After that, the usual work permit rules will return. This change would help teams, staff, and organisers reach their destinations without facing paperwork delays.