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From: Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (IRC) [:ailto:I8CC.lmmigrationRepresentatives- [IRCC institutional email]] Sent: [requester] To: ‘Subject: FW: Inquiry regarding Athletes and Coaches Guidance -REP-2023-2174 Good morning, Thank you for bringing this to our attention and we'll correct itin the relevant POI Thank you, The Immigration Representatives Mailbox From: [requester] Sent: [requester] To: Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (IRCC) <[IRCC Immigration Representatives mailbox]> Subject: [requester] Dear [requester], am writing with respect to guidance that is posted on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website, specifically on this page: httos://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational- bulletins- manuals/temporary-residents/fareign-workers/work-withaut-permit/authorization-work-without-work-permit: athletes-team-members.html . There is an important sentence, highlighted in the attached PDF, which references Polo Grooms: “As essential members of a team, polo grooms may be authorized to work with a work permit under R186(h).” We believe that this is a typographical error. Given that /RPR R186h contemplates that a foreign national may work in Canada without a work permit, and Polo Grooms are exempt from work permits, the bolded word should be ‘without’? Could you please arrange for the published guidance on the above-mentioned website to be updated so that it can be shared with IRC and CBSA officers for the 2024 summer season?

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Please note, | have submitted a similar inquiry through the IRCC feedback website, file reference CFM 2023-20889. Thank you very much for your assistance Best regards, oot9s2

4225, 807M Atletes and coaches [R188(h)]— Authorization to work without a work permit = International Mbit mae ah a | oe Government Gouvernement of Canada du Canada

Canada.ca > Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada > Corporate information > Publications and Manuals Athletes and coaches [R186(h)] - Authorization to work without a work permit - International Mobility Program

i at This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the

| department's website as a courtesy to stakeholders. Paragraph 2186(h) allows foreign nationals to participate in sports activities or events in Canada without a work permit as athletes, coaches or trainers, either as

* individual participants

* members of a professional or amateur foreign-based team

* members of a Canadian amateur team

Tt also allows foreign nationals who are essential members of the foreign team to participate at sports activities or events held in Canada. i at Note: Occupations essential to the team’s participation are those that provide a service benefitting only the foreign-based team or team members, or the Canadian amateur team (on a seasonal basis), and do not compete directly with the Canadian labour market, or enter it. Examples of individual participants in sports activities or events in Canada:

* amateur players on Canadian teams (includes major junior A level and lower teams) (e.g., athletes authorized to enter Canada under this category for a whole season should be documented on a Visitor Record);

* foreign pet owners entering their own animals in a show (e.g., dog handlers);

* Jockeys racing horses from foreign-based stables (see also information on Eoreign freelance horse Jockeys);

* racing car drivers;

* persons attending professional team tryouts.

Examples of persons who would qualify as members of a team:

* individuals that have the necessary combination of team role, skills and qualifications that make them essential members of the team (see note);

© full- or part-time coaches or trainers of foreign athletes;

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47225, 07 AM [Athletes and coaches [R186(t)]~ Authorization to work without a wok permit ~ Intemational MobiPtsdranruaca mc * polo grooms. For professional and semi-professional coaches and athletes working for Canadian-based teams, see also: Reciprocal employment Spouses Professional athletes are classified under TEER 3 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), and, as such, their spouse is eligible for a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permit pursuant to R205(c)(ii), exemption code C41. Specific guidance: Polo grooms Polo grooms are captured under NOC 84120 as specialized livestock workers. The main duties for groomers that work with thoroughbred horses and who are an essential member of a team, such as polo grooms, are quite different from pet groomers (NOC 65220). As essential members of a team, polo grooms may be authorized to work with a work permit under R186(h). Polo groomers and other team members associated with taking care of the horses participating on a recognized team should be considered as being an essential part of the team. Similarly, physicians or chiropractors who specialize in horses are also essential to the team as they know the health history of the horse or pony of the foreign polo team. The Canadian Polo Association confirms that there is a shortage of experienced polo groomers in Canada as this is not a common sport in Canada and very few Canadians would be interested in learning a trade with such time-limited employment period given the seasonal nature of the sport. “There are approximately 16 Polo Clubs in Canada (not all are registered with Polo Canada). Each team varies in ability and typically consists of a mixture of amateurs and professionals playing together. Grooms are absolutely an integral part of the team. Their expertise is very specific to the players and horses they manage.” (POLO Canada) Date modified: 2023-02-02 019s ips:mwcanada.calenimmigrationsefugees-ctizenshipeorpratepublcatione manuals/operatonat-bulletine manvalstemporaryesiseneforeign-