If you’re interested in moving to Canada and working as a camp counsellor at seasonal summer camps in Canada currently hiring international camp counsellors, here’s what you need to know.
If have all-around skills, and are prepared to work with a group of kids at camp, you’re definitely a good fit as a camp counsellor.
Your main responsibility will be leading a small group of campers as their participate in various summer activities.
Most camp counsellor applications will require you to indicate any special skills you have and what makes you an ideal candidate for these positions.
According to Government of Canada website, working as a seasonal (June to September) overnight camp counsellor, you’re exempt from getting a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under LMIA exemption code C20 pursuant to paragraph 205(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
To be eligible to work in Canada as a foreign seasonal overnight camp counsellor, your offer of employment must be for
- seasonal employment (usually from June to September)
- the occupation camp counsellor or a similar job title (NOC 5254)
- a residential camp (overnight camp that lasts more than 1 weekend)
What's Covered in This Article
Who can apply for a work permit as a camp counsellor
To be eligible, you must meet all the requirements below:
- you meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit
- you’ll work at an overnight summer camp
- at an overnight camp, campers and the camp counsellors stay overnight at the camp for more than a weekend
- At a day camp, campers go home each day.
- Counsellors at day camps need an LMIA to apply for a work permit, and must pay all applicable fees.
- your main duties will include both
- supervising and guiding children in summer camp activities, such as
- planning and organizing activities
- guiding and teaching outdoor activities
- ensuring children’s safety and monitoring their activities
- supervising children during meals
- instructing children in daily routines and cleanup tasks
- leading
- sports
- crafts
- games
- other recreational activities
- supervising and guiding children in summer camp activities, such as
If the duties above aren’t your main duties, you’re not an overnight camp counsellor even if that’s your job title.
Canada work permit eligibility requirements for all applicants
There are specific requirements you need to meet depending on where you are when you apply for your work permit.
But regardless of where you apply or which type of work permit you apply for, you must
- prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires;
- show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home;
- obey the law and have no record of criminal activity (we may ask you to give us a police clearance certificate);
- not be a danger to Canada’s security;
- be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed;
- not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions;
- not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages; and
- give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.
Eligibility requirements if you apply for work permit from outside Canada
Anyone can apply for a work permit before they enter Canada.
However, there may be visa office requirements that you need to meet depending on what country or territory you’re applying from.
Make sure you follow the instructions for how to apply.
Find out if you can benefit from the Global Skills Strategy’s two-week application processing.
Type of work permit for an overnight camp counsellor in Canada
As an overnight camp counsellor (including those working at faith-based camps), you can apply for an employer-specific work permit.
You don’t need a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) if you’re an overnight camp counsellor.
Steps your employer must take before you apply for work permit as an overnight camp counsellor in Canada
Your employer must do all of the following:
- submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) using the Employer Portal
- pay a $230 employer compliance fee, unless exempt
- give you the offer of employment number: a 7-digit number required for your application
How to work at more than one camp in Canada as a foreignor
You need to apply for a work permit for each camp you’ll work for. You need to provide proof that you can work for more than one employer.
Each employer will also need to submit their own offer of employment to IRCC using the Employer Portal.
You and your employers should do this as early as possible to avoid processing delays.
How to apply for work permit as an overnight camp counsellor in Canada
Step 1: Make sure you have what you need
To apply online, you need
Step 2: Create your online account or sign in
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to
- submit your application forms
- check your status
How to start your application
Once you sign in to your account, you need to
- go to the Start your application section on the account welcome page
- click “Apply to come to Canada”
- on the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section
- click on the “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” button
- on the next page, select “Work”
Step 3: Get your document checklist
You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.
Make sure you answer these questions correctly depending on whether you’re outside Canada or you’re in Canada
Step 4: Fill out the forms
The instruction guide will explain how to fill out each field on the work permit application form.
Read the instruction guide before you fill out the form.
Work experience requirement
The work permit application form asks all applicants about their last 10 years of work experience. This does not mean you need 10 years of work experience. However, you do need to show that you have the skills, qualifications and experience to be a camp counsellor.
Step 5: Upload your documents
Your document checklist will ask you for most of the documents that you must upload. It will also allow you to upload other documents under Client Information.
There’s only 1 Client Information field. You may need to combine more than 1 document in 1 file and upload them together. Find out how to upload multiple documents into 1 field.
Supporting documents section
Client Information section
When you upload your documents
You can upload the same document more than once, if it serves more than one purpose.
Example: An employment reference from your current employer could be uploaded as both an employment reference letter and a letter from your current employer.
If you’re not sure if you have the right document
Ask yourself if this document
- explains what kind of organization you’ll work for
- shows you can do this job
- satisfies an officer that you would be a good camp counsellor
Step 6: Pay your fees and submit your application
In most cases, you must pay the work permit processing fee.
You may be exempt from paying the work permit processing fee if
- you’re working for a charitable or religious organization and
- you won’t be paid, other than one of the following:
- small payments for living expenses
- non-monetary benefits (such as room and board, health care insurance)
In some cases, you may receive a small payment and non-monetary benefits and still be exempt from paying the work permit processing fee.
Fee exemption
If you’re exempt from paying the work permit processing fee, your employer will also be exempt from paying the employer compliance fee ($230).
They still need to submit an offer of employment in the Employer Portal.
If your employer does not show how you meet the fee exemption, you and your employer must pay all fees.
Next steps
Find out what happens
- After you apply
- processing times, biometrics and what happens if your application is approved
- When you arrive in Canada
- what to bring with you and what to expect when you arrive at the port of entry
- If you want to travel once you finish working
- If you plan to travel when you finish working, ask the border services officer about this when you enter Canada.
- There is an “expiry” date on your work permit. This is when you must stop working.
- The officer may choose to also add a “must leave by” date in the conditions section of your work permit.
- If the “must leave by” date is later than the “expiry” date, you can travel after you finish working.
- You must leave Canada and return to your home country by the “must leave by” date printed on your work permit.
- If you stay longer than you’re allowed, you may not be able to return to Canada to work or study.
Employers in Canada currently hiring international staff as camp counsellors
Following are summer camp counsellor jobs in Canada for which international candidates can apply:
Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium
Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium invites applications from all qualified individuals.
In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Muskoka Woods
Muskoka Woods’ seasonal camp counsellor positions are typically given to individuals between the ages of 18 – 23.
They accept international applicants as long as they fall into this age range and are eligible for a work permit.
Immigration papers/documents are needed in order to work and earn money in Canada.
Your options are:
- International Experience Canada Program (IEC) (working holiday work permit):
This work permit is appropriate for applicants who wish to stay in Canada for 1 – 2 years and work for multiple employers anywhere within Canada.
The IEC process requires filling out an online profile which then goes into a “pool”.
According to their website the wait can be days, weeks or months.
If successful, you will then receive an acceptance notice and further paperwork.
Biometrics (fingerprints) are required.
You do not need a “job offer” from Muskoka Woods or any other paperwork in order to apply for an IEC.
You should consider applying for this work permit as early as possible since the wait can be lengthy. The cost for the IEC work permit is approximately $160.00 CDN, plus an IEC processing fee.
This work permit is available for anyone applying for a position at Muskoka Woods for the spring and/or summer months.
You would not be allowed to work for any other employer while on this work permit.
Biometrics (fingerprints) are required.
Muskoka Woods will provide all paperwork needed for you to apply either online or at Port of Entry (Toronto airport).
Preparation time is required, so do not delay in submitting your Muskoka Woods application. This work permit is free.
Payroll Policy:
Once hired, international staff will be considered employees and must obtain a Social Insurance Number, have the option to open a Canadian Bank account, and complete a TD1 Tax Form to document their status in Canada for tax purposes.
- The TD1 form questions are included in the onboarding section of your online profile.
- The Social Insurance Number can be obtained at the airport or will be arranged by Muskoka Woods.
- You will be provided with the option to open a Canadian bank account to deposit your paycheques. However, we would encourage you to check with your home banking institution to discuss opening an international bank account in order to easily have the ability to deposit your cheques.
**Please note: International staff will be subject to tax deductions. The amount is dependent on your own personal employment situation. For more detailed information, continue to this link – non-resident Canada tax laws.
Medical Insurance:
If an employee is injured while “on the job”, the cost of the injuries will be covered under WSIB (Workplace Safety & Insurance Board).
However, if he/she is injured while not working, or if an international staff member becomes ill and requires a visit to the hospital (including any surgeries, dental emergencies and prescriptions) any expenses incurred would not be covered.
Muskoka requires all International staff to obtain personal medical/travel insurance for the duration of their stay in Canada and upload proof of coverage in their onboarding.
Please ensure that your insurance provider covers all Covid-19 related illnesses.
Manulife is a company many staff have used, however, employees may source their own.
*Please note: Individuals staying longer than 6 months with a valid work permit may apply for an Ontario Health Card after working and living in Ontario for 6 months.
Are you ready to apply?
Why not consider multi-season employment? Muskoka Woods is a great place to spend your gap year! Apply now to spend one, two, three or four seasons at Muskoka Woods!
For more information, please refer to their FAQ’s or feel free to contact Diane Huff at diane@muskokawoods.com.
Camp Canada–
Claim their purpose has always been to match the best summer camps with the best people.
Qwanoes
Qwanoe welcomes staff from other parts of the world, and every summer look forward to their special contributions to their staff team!
International staff have come from over 20 different countries and are always a vital part of Qwanoe’s team!
Qwanoe’s experienced Staffing Team look forward to helping you through the process of applying to come to Canada.
Most of the foreign staff apply for a “Religious Workers” or “Camp Counsellor” work permit. These need to be submitted several weeks (and in some cases months), before arrival at camp, as they need to be reviewed before a decision is made by the government. Some countries also require a “work visa” before entry into Canada.
They strongly encourage and recommend all internationals to apply before the end of February (please contact them if this is not possible), so that there is time to process your staff application as well as you Immigration application.
Camp Canada by Nyquest
A summer camp placement agency based in Canada which recruits staff from around the world for summer camp jobs in Canada.
Their website says “they are the experts in recruiting and placing international staff at Canadian summer camps!
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