Canada Lists 67 Countries Eligible for Work Permits at POE

The Canadian government has announced a list of 67 countries and territories whose citizens are eligible to apply for work permits directly at ports of entry (POE). This process allows certain individuals to bypass the standard pre-travel application procedure, although applicants are generally encouraged to secure their work permits before traveling.

To qualify, both the applicant and any accompanying family members must meet specific criteria, primarily that they hold citizenship or residency status from a visa-exempt country or territory. The guidance specifies that eligible travelers must be from a visa-exempt country or territory or be a visa-exempt traveler, such as lawful residents of the U.S.

The list predominantly features European nations, with only a few from the Middle East and the Pacific, and notably excludes any countries from mainland or South America, which means citizens from those regions must follow the standard application process for Canadian work permits.