SynopsisCanada has published new rules for foreign academic examiners. Senior professionals with established reputations can now work without a permit. These examiners must receive an official invitation letter for their adjudication. Their work duration must be under six months and paid from outside Canada. Foreign nationals must also meet general visitor entry requirements.AgenciesCanada has, for the first time, published specific eligibility criteria for foreign nationals seeking to work as academic examiners without a work permit.Under updated instructions issued by the federal government on July 31, foreign examiners must be senior academic or industry professionals with an established reputation in the relevant field. They must also provide an official invitation letter from the governing body that has invited them to adjudicate.Also Read: US may end H-1B job-loss grace period for foreign workers; Indians could face impactThe new guidelines outline three categories of work permit exemptions: thesis examiners, research proposal evaluators and program or university project evaluators. Standard conditions for the exemptionThe updated instructions also set out three standard conditions for the exemption.The work(s) of the foreign national must be of less than six months duration and the foreign national is prohibited from receiving remuneration from Canada for the activities. Immigration officers may also place specific conditions or limits on the authorization to work without a permit.Also Read: Canada's self-employed immigration program 'no longer fit for purpose', IRCC evaluation findsOfficers may issue a visitor record setting out the conditions attached to the foreign national’s permit-exempt work authorization.What foreign examiners need to knowForeign nationals seeking entry under this exemption must provide documents showing that they meet the eligibility requirements.They must also meet Canada’s general requirements for visitors entering as temporary residents. This includes having a valid temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA), where required, and meeting Canada’s admissibility requirements.The exemption applies only where the activity does not amount to entering the Canadian labour market. In most cases, remuneration for the work must come entirely from entities with no financial ties to Canada. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now