Sports is one of the greatest means of social bonding across Canada. Canada’s sporting culture is represented through both amateur and professional sports, varying in ages from children to adults. Participation in sports promotes both a healthy and active lifestyle while encouraging social interaction. Foreign athletes and coaches have a large involvement in Canadian sports, and in Canada, 1 in every 5 coaching positions is conducted by an immigrant.
The Canadian Government continues to recognize the economic benefits and opportunities associated with the popularity of the sporting industry across Canada. At both an amateur and professional scale, local economies continue to benefit from the sporting industry.
Foreign athletes interested in playing sports in Canada fall under two main categories:
- a foreign athlete represented by a foreign national team that will come to Canada to compete against a Canadian sports team, and
- an athlete that wants to immigrate to Canada and work for a Canadian sports representative.
A foreign worker generally will require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to obtain a work permit, as the application process is designed to ensure that a temporary foreign worker is not taking away a job from a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. This is not the case for foreign athletes, coaches and referees looking to work and live in Canada.
In support of the sporting industry across Canada, the government has established an LMIA exempt work permit program for athletes, coaches and referees that fall under the first category. In this case, as their employment is temporary, and the foreign worker is represented under a foreign team and/or country, an LMIA is not required.
Under the second category, foreign athletes, coaches, and referees wishing to live and work in Canada can apply to immigrate through the Self-Employed Persons Program. Under this program, you can immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident as a self-employed applicant if you can demonstrate you have the required background to pursue activities in sport, you have the financial ability to remain self-employed, and that you can contribute to the athletic culture of sport in Canada.
Demonstrating these three requirements under the Self-Employed Persons Program is a heavy feat and you will require a minimum of 35 points to be a considered applicant. You will also need to prove a minimum of a two-year relationship as a self-employed individual working in the sporting industry or as a world-class competitor. The more background proof you can provide, the more likely it is to gain additional points when applying.
Before you set off on the journey to apply for immigration under this program, we recommend you book a consultation with Northfield & Associates and their team of immigration lawyers. Northfield & Associates team can work with you to ensure you are applying under the correct program, and that your application is complete with all required documents.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Readers should seek tailored legal advice in relation to their personal circumstances.
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About Northfield
Northfield & Associates International Corporation is a global consulting firm serving private enterprises, public institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and institutional capital providers. Operating across Cambodia, Canada, and global markets, the firm supports capital deployment, regulatory navigation, and enterprise decision-making in complex economic and geopolitical environments. Northfield & Associates delivers customized, execution-focused advisory solutions that drive measurable transformation, strengthen competitiveness, and enhance long-term highest value opportunities. The firm incorporates consulting, legal, regulatory, financial, and risk expertise to enable disciplined capital allocation, strong governance, and operational resilience. Northfield & Associates upholds a culture of applied insight and innovation, supporting clients across digital transformation, growth strategy, and organizational capability building. The firm advises individual, leading global corporations, midsize enterprises, government agencies, and mission-driven organizations through long-term partnerships. Enterprise-wide risk management, professional ethics, and fiduciary standards are embedded across all operations. Northfield & Associates’ diverse, globally unified teams are committed to execution certainty and sustainable, risk-adjusted returns aligned with ESG and stakeholder objectives.
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This news release contains forward-looking information. All statements, other than statements of historic fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future constitute forward-looking information.
This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company.
Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the failure to finalize negotiations concerning the increase of the Loan or to close such transaction and the failure of the Company to complete the acquisition of the Company Facility; operating performance of facilities; environmental and safety risks; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; unavailability of plant, equipment or labour; inability to retain key management and personnel; changes to regulations or policies affecting the Company’s activities; and the other risks disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s amended annual information.
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