Canada published a list of 67 visa exempt countries whose citizens can apply for work permits directly at airports or border points.
The government of Canada, through its official immigration agency known as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, has published a fresh list of 67 countries and territories whose citizens can apply for a work permit directly when they arrive at the airport or border point.
Official guidance papers updated on Thursday, September 17, 2026, show that passport holders from these approved nations do not need to wait for months to get a work permit from an overseas Canadian embassy before traveling.
Instead, eligible travelers can carry their complete job documents in their bag, board a plane, and present their application directly to border officers at Canadian airports or land border crossings.
The main reason why the Canadian government created this direct border application route is to reduce heavy pressure on overseas visa offices and help Canadian businesses hire needed workers faster.
In the official rules released to the public, the Canadian government explained that this special arrangement is strictly meant for people who hold passports from countries that do not need a visa to visit Canada.
The approved list includes many European nations such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, alongside selected countries in Asia and the Pacific like Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, as well as places like Barbados and the Bahamas.
However, most African countries are not on this special list, meaning citizens from those places must still apply and wait for their work permits before leaving home.
Explaining how this special border application process works, official immigration guidelines provided clear instructions to travelers.
See Also: Canada Discloses 3 Work Permit Requirements For Foreign Workers
Advising on how travelers should plan their journey, the official government guidance stated, “You should apply for your work permit before you travel to Canada. However, you and any accompanying family members can apply when you enter Canada if you’re eligible”.
Warning travelers that arriving at the border does not automatically mean they will get approved, the immigration authority stressed that border officers will carefully check every paper brought by the worker.
The guidelines explicitly noted that applicants must “be from a visa-exempt country or territory or be a visa-exempt traveller” to qualify for border processing.
Detailing what happens at the airport, border reports confirm that officers perform three strict checks on every applicant.
The officer will check if the passport is valid, verify if the person meets all health and character requirements, and confirm that the worker holds an official job offer letter alongside proof that their Canadian boss registered the job properly with the government.
Applicants must state clearly to the border officer upon arrival that they want to apply for a work permit. If any required document is missing or if the job paper is fake, the border officer has full power to turn the traveler back immediately.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
