For the 2026 World Cup, Canada will permit FIFA employees to enter without a work permit

For the 2026 World Cup, Canada will permit FIFA employees to enter without a work permit.

Canada is preparing for a significant soccer season. The FIFA Congress and numerous World Cup games will be held in Toronto and Vancouver in 2026. For supporters and the nation as a whole, this is a historic first for the men's FIFA World Cup in Canada.

What's New for FIFA Employees Traveling to Canada
Canada has new regulations for specific foreign workers to help ensure the successful operation of the FIFA competitions in 2026. You might not require the standard work permit if you are coming for short-term FIFA-related employment.
We refer to this as a work permit exemption. Why? Canada intends to facilitate entry for those who assist in organizing the competition.

Who Is Eligible for This Exemption?
This new visa exemption won't apply to everyone. To qualify, you have to:
Between December 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, submit an application for a temporary resident visa.

Hold a formal FIFA invitation letter attesting to your identity as:
A FIFA employee or one of its affiliates
A contract holder with FIFA or those partners
subcontracted by a business that already collaborates with FIFA
Between the aforementioned dates, be working on projects directly relevant to the FIFA Congress or the World Cup.
FIFA's exclusive list of invited staff must include your name.

What's Still Needed
Even with the exemption, an eligible foreign national must still:

To enter Canada, apply for a temporary resident visa.
Meet all other immigration and admissibility requirements under Canadian law.
How Long Does the Exemption Last?
Until July 31, 2026, or until Canada chooses to terminate them, the special regulations will be in effect. The standard work permit regulations will then resume.

Additional Information
When utilizing this exemption, foreign workers must still fulfill all other standard conditions in order to enter Canada. The only regulations that are temporarily altered are those listed above.

An earlier policy dated October 2025 is replaced by this change. Until July 31, 2026, or until the government modifies the policy, everybody who had received authorization under the previous regulations is still protected.

Why Is This Important for Soccer Fans and Travelers?
Thousands of people from all around the world come together to host the FIFA World Cup. Teams, employees, and organizers should be able to arrive at their locations without having to deal with paperwork delays thanks to this modification.

It's a big help for organizing an event this big on a global scale. Both host cities will probably see an increase in travel, spending, and excitement as a result.

Concluding Remarks
Check to see if you are eligible for this unique procedure if you are working on anything World Cup-related and would like to travel to Canada. For everyone else, it's just another indication that Canada is ready to welcome guests and create history on its own soil while hosting an unforgettable tournament.