Canada actively encourages the participation of international athletes and sports professionals who contribute to the country’s growing and diverse sports industry. The Athletes & Staff category, offered under the Special Groups stream within the broader Work pathway, provides a tailored immigration option for foreign sports professionals to take part in competitions, leagues, training programs, and related sporting activities in Canada.
Who This Pathway Is For
This category is intended for individuals whose roles are essential to the operation and success of professional or organized sports teams and institutions. Eligible applicants may include:
invited to compete for Canadian teams, clubs, or leagues
working at professional, elite, or developmental levels
such as physiotherapists, scouts, and other specialized team personnel
Most applicants under this category are issued a closed work permit, allowing them to work exclusively for a specific Canadian employer or recognized sports organization. Many roles within this stream are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the International Mobility Program (IMP), as they are considered to be in Canada’s national interest—particularly for their contribution to sports and cultural development.
Eligibility Requirements
Work permits are generally issued for the length of the approved contract or event and may be extended as long as the individual continues employment with the sponsoring organization. In certain situations, spouses or common-law partners of athletes and support staff may also be eligible to apply for an open work permit.
Although this pathway is not an immigration program by itself, it can serve as a valuable foundation for long-term opportunities in Canada. Eligible individuals may later qualify for permanent residence through programs such as the Canadian Experience Class or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), provided they meet the required Canadian work experience and other eligibility criteria.
