Foreign freelance horse jockeys intending to work in Ontario may be exempt from LMIA

 

On February 12, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released new instructions regarding the new pilot process for foreign horse jockeys coming to race in Ontario. The exemption may be obtained if horse jockeys possess a letter confirming eligibility for licensing from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the offer of employment from the Ontario employer or horse owner, proof that the first race they will enter is a stakes race. The LMIA exemption code for this case is C11. The eligibility requirements for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba remain the same. Horse jockeys intending to work in any other province or territory require an LMIA and a work permit.