Work permit for Canada show?

Subject: BS: Work permit for Canada show?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 10:38 AM

Hi, I have been trying to find out info about work permits to work in Canada for one show. We have one festival coming up and it didn't even occur to me that we would need permits but apparently we do.... Anyone have any info on it? Thank you
Lisa/ The Beeline Ramblers

Subject: PLAYING IN CANADA
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 12:03 PM

HI,
WE HAVE A GIG COMING UP IN CANADA. A 3 DAY FOLK FESTIVAL. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF WE NEED A WORK PERMIT FOR THIS? IT NEVER EVEN CROSSED MY MIND UNTIL TODAY WHEN I WAS CHECKING ON EXPECTED TIME TO CROSS THE BORDER FROM BUFFALO NY. THERE WERE LOTS OF SITES SAYING THAT WE DO BUT WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WITH EXPERIENCE.
ANY INFO WOULD BE GREAT!
THANKS

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: Beer
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 12:11 PM

Yes you do and if time permits I will look the information up for you. But if may have to be later this evening or tomorrow.
Adrien from Quebec

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 12:21 PM

Thank you Adrien,
Unfortunately the festival is on the 13th and 14th. Obviously no way to get it done by then.I'm not sure what we are going to do but thanks for confirming this.
Lisa

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 12:55 PM

Hi again, My husband just found this site so I am hoping this is the case.


http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit.asp#artists

Thanks again
Lisa

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 01:34 PM

Call immigration and check, Lisa.

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 01:50 PM

My experience is that you do not need a work permit if you are playing concert performances which are not held in premises that serve alcohol. This seems to apply to a lot of festival tents over there. They will want to see your contract at the border and, if you're gig is an event they know about or can verify easily, you should be OK. If it's a more obscure event, they might be suspicious. Also, if you're giving workshops it counts as teaching and it does require a work permit.

Last time I went in I got caught out on the workshop thing, but even so they issued a visa then and there at the border, so I wasn't held up too much - although I was $250 poorer.

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: Beer
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 08:54 PM

Lisa,
I looked through my files but no luck. I booked a band for a festival I was involved with. I know they filled out a form and I also added information. I was hoping I had a copy.
Sorry and good luck. To be safe do as 999 suggested.
Ad.

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jul 12 - 02:30 AM

Nice Post about Easy way to get a Canada work permit Many peoples want to get it.

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 11 Jul 12 - 02:41 AM

Guest, Easy way to get a Canada work permit, Such a well written link. first language English sure to be of html page writer!

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: DebC
Date: 11 Jul 12 - 12:28 PM

If you are an American Federation Musicians member, you can apply for a Letter of Cultural Exchange that will cost $40. You can still get this document if you are not an AFM member, but it costs $150. It is always worth it to me to get this paperwork when I am working in Canada. I have never had it questioned at the Border.

My good friend, Brian peters is correct as well in his information.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: meself
Date: 11 Jul 12 - 09:14 PM

GUEST's link is to a site that doesn't strike me as reliable ....

Subject: RE: Work permit for Canada show?
From: Brian Peters
Date: 12 Jul 12 - 12:27 PM

Right, meself, that's not the official Immigration dept on that website, is it. The trouble is, actually speaking to Immigration Depts. tends to be difficult, or on very expensive premium rate phone lines.

If the festival that Lisa and her band are playing regularly brings in foreign acts, the most obvious place to check would be with that festival's organiser. But I'm still pretty confident that what I posted above was correct, as of last year at least.