trade-agreements-canada-eng
Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement
Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada, the United States of America (US) and Mexico temporarily.
If you’re coming under this FTA, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Only citizens of the US and Mexico are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business people covered:
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity. They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
Types of business activities under CUSMA include
- research and design
- growth, manufacture and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after-sales service
- general service
- commercial transactions
- public relations and advertising
- tourism
- tour bus operation
- translation services
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
Professionals
If you’re a professional, you need to have
- a pre-arranged contract with a Canadian employer when you enter Canada (you can’t enter to look for work)
- the appropriate
- education
- licensing
- certification for your job
You also need to work in one of the skilled occupations below.
General
- accountant
- architect
- computer systems analyst
- disaster relief insurance claims adjuster
- economist
- engineer
- forester
- graphic designer
- hotel manager
- industrial designer
- interior designer
- land surveyor
- landscape architect
- lawyer (including notary in the province of Quebec)
- librarian
- management consultant
- mathematician (including statistician and actuary)
- range manager or range conservationist
- research assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution)
- scientific technician or technologist
- social worker
- silviculturist (including forestry specialist)
- technical publications writer
- urban planner (including geographer)
- vocational counsellor
Medical and allied professionals
- dentist
- dietitian
- medical laboratory technologist (Canada)/ medical technologist (Mexico and the US)
- nutritionist
- occupational therapist
- pharmacist
- physician (teaching or research only)
- physiotherapist or physical therapist
- psychologist
- recreational therapist
- registered nurse
- veterinarian
Scientists
- agriculturist (including agronomist)
- animal breeder
- animal scientist
- apiculturist
- astronomer
- biochemist
- biologist (including plant pathologist)
- chemist
- dairy scientist
- entomologist
- epidemiologist
- geneticist
- geologist
- geochemist
- geophysicist (including oceanographer in Mexico and the US)
- horticulturist
- meteorologist
- pharmacologist
- physicist (including oceanographer in Canada)
- plant breeder
- poultry scientist
- soil scientist
- zoologist
Teachers
- instructor at
- a college
- a seminary
- a university
As a CUSMA professional, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit will be valid for the duration of your work contract (up to 3 years). If your work contract is extended, you can extend your work permit (up to 3 years at a time).
Intra-company transferees
An intra-company transferee is a US or Mexican citizen who is sent from a company in the US, Mexico or elsewhere to work for the same or related company in Canada. The company must
- be a multinational company with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada
- be doing business in Canada
- Doing business means regularly, systematically and continuously providing goods or services.
- Just having a mailing address or access to a shared workspace in Canada is not doing business.
To enter Canada as an intra-company transferee, you must be one of the following:
- a manager
- an executive
- a specialized knowledge worker
You must also have been employed continuously by your company for at least 1 year in the 3-year period before you apply, in a full-time position similar to the one you’ll be transferred to in Canada.
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for up to 3 years.
You can extend your work permit for up to 2 years, with a maximum stay of
- 5 years for a specialized knowledge worker
- 7 years for a manager or an executive
Traders
Traders carry on substantial trade in goods or services between Canada and the US or Mexico.
To qualify as a trader, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
As a trader, you need a work permit.
You must complete and submit the following form with your work permit application: Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement - Application for trader/investor status (work permit) [IMM 5321]
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
Investors
Investors seek to establish, develop or administer an investment with substantial capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation.
To qualify as an investor, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
You must also be one of the following:
- the primary investor
- the employee of an enterprise committing substantial capital
As an investor, you need a work permit.
You must complete and submit the following form with your work permit application: Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement - Application for trader/investor status (work permit) [IMM 5321]
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
More information on CUSMA
For more details, see the official instructions followed by immigration officers.
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada and the other participating countries temporarily.
If you’re coming to Canada under this agreement, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
The types of skilled business people who can enter Canada through this agreement vary by country, based on whether the member country is providing similar benefits to Canadians.
Types of business people covered:
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity. They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
A citizen from any of the participating countries may qualify as this kind of business person.
Types of business activities under CPTPP include
- meetings and consultations
- research and design
- manufacturing and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after-sales or after-lease services (only available to citizens of Brunei, Chile, Malaysia and Mexico, and to citizens and permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand)
- general services, including
- financial services
- tourism
- translation or interpretation services
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
Investors
To qualify as an investor, you must be a citizen of one of these countries:
- Australia (or permanent resident)
- Brunei
- Chile
- Japan
- Mexico
- Peru
- Singapore
- Vietnam, and
You must also plan to establish or develop an investment with substantial capital in one of 2 ways:
- on your own or
- on behalf of your enterprise
To qualify as an investor, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
As an investor, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year, with extensions possible.
Professionals and technicians
If you’re coming to Canada as a professional, you must be a citizen of one of the following countries:
- Australia (or permanent resident)
- Brunei
- Chile
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Peru
You must also have
- a 4-year post-secondary degree (unless otherwise specified)
- any additional requirements defined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for your occupation
- 2 years of paid work experience in your contracted job’s sector
- an offer of employment in an occupation classified under training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) 0 or 1 of the NOC
- pre-arranged employment with a Canadian employer in an eligible occupation
- similar pay to other qualified industry professionals in the region where you work
If you’re coming to Canada as a technician, you must be a citizen of one of the following countries:
- Australia (or permanent resident)
- Chile
- Japan
- Mexico
- Peru
You must have
- a 2-year post-secondary or technical degree (unless otherwise specified)
- any other minimum requirements for entry defined in the NOC for your occupation
- 4 years of paid work experience in your contracted job’s sector
- an offer of employment in an occupation classified under TEER 2 or 3 of the NOC
- pre-arranged employment with a Canadian employer in an eligible occupation
- similar pay to other qualified industry technicians in the region where you work
National Occupation Classification 2021
On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the NOC.
If you applied on or after November 16, 2022, your occupation must be either training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) 0, 1, 2 or 3 to be eligible.
Check the NOC 2021 to make sure you’re still eligible.
The list of occupations covered by this agreement is different for each country.
Australia
Professionals
All TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted, except the following:
- health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
- judge and notary
- manager in postal and courier services
- manager of telecommunications carriers
- occupations related to cultural industries
- recreation, sports and fitness program and service director
Technicians
Only the following TEER 2 and 3 occupations that are listed are permitted:
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanic, technician and inspector
- architectural technologist and technician
- civil engineering technologist and technician
- computer and information systems technician (occupations include elements of TEER 1)
- construction inspector and estimator
- drafting technologist and technician
- electrical and electronics engineering technologist and technician
- electrician
- engineering inspector, tester and regulatory officer
- graphic designer and illustrator
- industrial designer
- industrial engineering technologist and technician
- industrial instrument technician and mechanic
- interior designer
- international purchasing and selling agent
- land survey technologist and technician
- mechanical engineering technologist and technician
- oil and gas well driller, servicer and tester
- plumber
- technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
- supervisor in
- food, beverage and tobacco processing fields
- forest products processing field
- machinists and related occupations
- mineral and metal processing
- mining and quarrying
- oil and gas drilling and service
- petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
- plastic and rubber products manufacturing
- printing and related occupations
- textile processing
- contractor and supervisor in
- carpentry trades
- electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- heavy construction equipment crews
- installing, repairing and servicing
- mechanic trades
- metal forming
- other construction trades
- pipefitting trades
- shaping and erecting trades
Brunei
Professionals
Petroleum Engineers
Chile
Professionals
All TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted, except the following:
- health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
- occupations related to cultural industries
- recreation, sports and fitness program and service director
- manager of telecommunications carriers
- manager in postal and courier services
- judge, lawyer and notary, except for foreign legal consultant
Technicians
The following occupations listed as TEER 2 and 3 are permitted:
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanic, technician and inspector
- civil engineering technologist and technician
- computer and information systems technician (occupation includes elements of TEER 1)
- construction inspector and estimator
- electrical and electronics engineering technologist and technician
- electrician
- engineering inspector, tester and regulatory officer
- graphic designer and illustrator
- industrial engineering technologist and technician
- industrial instrument technician and mechanic
- interior designer
- international purchasing and selling agent
- mechanical engineering technologist and technician
- oil and gas well driller, servicer and tester
- plumber
- supervisor in the following areas:
- food, beverage and tobacco processing
- forest products processing
- machinists and related occupations
- mineral and metal processing
- mining and quarrying
- oil and gas drilling and service
- petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
- plastic and rubber products manufacturing
- printing and related occupations
- textile processing
- supervisor and contractor in the following areas:
- carpentry trades
- electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- heavy construction equipment crews
- installing, repairing and servicing
- mechanic trades
- metal forming
- other construction trades
- pipefitting trades
- shaping and erecting trades
Japan
Professionals
All TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted, but not the following:
- health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
- judge, lawyer and notary, except foreign legal consultants
- manager in postal and courier services
- manager of telecommunications carriers
- occupations related to cultural industries
- recreation, sports and fitness program and service director
- researcher, except those intending to work at an academic entity in Canada
Technicians
A Japanese associate’s degree or equivalent, or a higher level of education is required.
Permitted TEER 2 and 3 occupations are the following:
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanic, technician and inspector
- architectural technologist and technician
- civil engineering technologist and technician
- computer and information systems technician (occupations include elements of TEER 1)
- construction inspector and estimator
- drafting technologist and technician
- electrical and electronics engineering technologist and technician
- engineering inspector, tester and regulatory officer
- graphic designer and illustrator
- industrial designer
- industrial engineering technologist and technician
- industrial instrument technician and mechanic
- interior designer
- international purchasing and selling agent
- land survey technologist and technician
- mechanical engineering technologist and technician
- oil and gas well drillers, servicer and tester (excluding operator)
- technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
- supervisor in the following areas:
- carpentry trades
- electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- food, beverage and tobacco processing
- forest products processing
- heavy construction equipment crews
- installing, repairing and servicing
- machinists and related occupations
- mechanic trades
- metal forming
- mineral and metal processing
- mining and quarrying
- oil and gas drilling and service
- other construction trades
- petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
- pipefitting trades
- plastic and rubber products manufacturing
- printing and related occupations
- shaping and erecting trades
- textile processing
Malaysia
Professionals
The following TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted:
- financial auditor and accountant
- financial analyst
- architecture manager
- architect
- landscape architect
- mechanical engineer
- civil engineer
- electrical and electronics engineer
- chemical engineer
- industrial and manufacturing engineer
- metallurgical and materials engineer
- mining engineer
- geological engineer
- petroleum engineer
- aerospace engineer
- computer engineer
- other professional engineer
- urban and land use planner
- veterinarian
- computer and information systems manager
- information systems analyst and consultant
- database analyst and data administrator
- software engineer
- computer programmer and interactive media developer
- web designer and developer
- actuary
Technicians
There are no provisions under the CPTPP to facilitate the entry into Canada of Malaysian citizens as a technician.
Mexico
Professionals
All TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted, but not the following:
- health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
- judge, lawyer and notary, except foreign legal consultant
- manager in postal and courier services
- manager of telecommunications carriers
- occupations related to cultural industries
- recreation, sports and fitness program and service director
Technicians
Permitted TEER 2 and 3 occupations are:
- civil engineering technologists and technician
- computer and information systems technician (occupations include elements of TEER 1)
- construction inspector and estimator
- electrical and electronics engineering technologist and technician
- electrician
- engineering inspector, tester and regulatory officer
- graphic designer and illustrator
- industrial engineering technologist and technician
- industrial instrument technician and mechanic
- interior designer
- mechanical engineering technologistand technician
- contractor and supervisor in the following areas:
- electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- heavy construction equipment crews
- installing, repairing and servicing
- other construction trades
Peru
Professionals
All TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted but not the following:
- health, education and social services occupations, and related occupations
- judge, lawyer and notary (except for foreign legal consultant)
- occupations related to cultural activities
- manager in
- telecommunications carriers
- postal and courier services
- recreation, sports and fitness program service director
Technicians
Permitted TEER 2 and 3 occupations are:
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanic, technician and inspector
- computer and information system technician
- construction inspector and estimator
- electrician (includes industrial electrician)
- engineering inspector, tester and regulatory officer
- engineering technologist and technician, including
- civil
- mechanical
- industrial
- manufacturing
- electrical and electronics (includes electronic service technician)
- graphic designer and illustrator
- industrial instrument technician and mechanic
- industrial designer
- interior designer
- international purchasing and selling agent
- oil and gas well driller, servicer and tester
- plumber
- supervisor in
- food, beverage and tobacco processing
- forest products processing
- machinists and related occupations
- mineral and metal processing
- mining and quarrying
- oil and gas drilling and service
- petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
- plastic and rubber products manufacturing
- printing and related occupations
- textile processing
- contractor and supervisor in
- carpentry trades
- electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- heavy construction equipment crews
- other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
- mechanic trades
- metal forming, shaping and erecting trades
- pipefitting trades
As a CPTPP professional or technician, you need a work permit.
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year, with extensions possible.
Intra-company transferees
An intra-company transferee is sent from a foreign company to work for the same or related company in Canada. The company must
- be a multinational company with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada
- be doing business in Canada
- Doing business means regularly, systematically and continuously providing goods or services.
- Just having a mailing address or access to a shared workspace in Canada is not considered doing business.
To qualify as an intra-company transferee under this FTA, you must be one of the following:
- an executive
- a manager
- a management trainee (applies to Chile only)
- a specialized knowledge worker
You must also have been continuously employed by or partnered with an enterprise of a CPTPP country for at least 1 year within the last 3 years in a full-time position similar to the one you’ll be transferred to in Canada.
Under this agreement, each intra-company transferee category is only available to citizens (or permanent residents) of specific CPTPP signatory countries.
Executives
An eligible executive must be
- a citizen of one of these countries:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Chile
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Peru
- or a permanent resident of
- Australia or
- New Zealand
Specialists
An eligible specialist must be
- a citizen of one of these countries:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Chile
- Japan
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Peru
- or a permanent resident of
- Australia or
- New Zealand
Managers
An eligible manager must be
- a citizen of one of these countries:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Chile
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Peru
- or a permanent resident of
- Australia or
- New Zealand
Management trainees
Eligible management trainees must be citizens of Chile.
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for up to 3 years, with possible extensions (up to 2 years at a time), with a maximum stay of
- 5 years for a specialist
- 7 years for a manager or an executive
Spouses
If you’re a citizen of one of these countries:
- Australia (applies also to permanent residents)
- Brunei (applies only to spouses of intracompany transferees and professionals)
- Chile
- Japan
- Malaysia (applies only to executive and manager intracompany transferees)
- Mexico
If you’re coming to Canada under this free trade agreement, your spouse or common-law partner can get an open work permit (OWP). This will allow them to work for almost any employer in Canada. The OWP will expire when your work permit does.
Spouses of business visitors aren’t eligible for an OWP.
How to apply for an open work permit
More information on the CPTPP
For more details, see the official instructions followed by immigration officers.
Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada and the European Union (EU) temporarily.
If you’re coming under CETA, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Only citizens of EU member states are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business people covered:
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity. They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
Types of business activities include
- meetings and consultations
- research and design
- marketing research
- training seminars
- trade fairs and exhibitions
- sales
- purchasing
- after-sales or after-lease service
- commercial transactions
- tourism personnel
- translation or interpretation services
- investment (manager or specialist who is responsible for setting up an enterprise)
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 6-month period.
Investors
Investors seek to establish, develop or administer an investment with substantial capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation.
To qualify as an investor, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
You must also be one of the following:
- the primary investor
- the employee of an enterprise committing substantial capital
- the person establishing, developing or administering the operation of the investment
As an investor, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit.
Professionals
CETA covers 2 types of professionals:
- contractual service suppliers
- independent professionals
Equivalent occupations
Canada and the EU approach covered occupations and related requirements differently. Make sure your occupation is eligible.
If you’re coming as either kind of professional, you must
- supply a service for no more than 12 months
- have a university degree or equivalent qualification
- have any professional certifications needed for your job
In addition, to qualify as a contractual service supplier, you must
- be employed by an EU company
- for at least 1 year before applying
- that has a service contract in Canada
- have 3 years of professional experience in the relevant sector when applying
- not receive payment for any other services while in Canada
Example of a contractual service provider
A German software engineer is employed by a Berlin-based IT consulting firm. The German firm signs a 10-month contract with a Toronto financial company to implement a new software system. The engineer seeks entry to Canada to work on site for the duration of the contract, remains on German company’s payroll and returns to Germany after the project ends.
To qualify as an independent professional, you must
- be self-employed
- supply your service to a Canadian consumer
- have at least 6 years of professional experience in the relevant sector when applying
- have a signed contract between the independent professional and the Canadian service consumer
Example of a independent professional
A Spanish management consultant, operating as a self-employed professional in Spain, signs a contract with a Vancouver-based company to provide organizational restructuring advice. The consultant seeks entry to Canada to deliver the services under the contract and then returns to Spain after completion.
As a professional, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
You can work for up to a total of 12 months in a 24-month period. An immigration officer can extend your permit at their discretion. It can’t be extended beyond 24 months.
Engineering Technologists and Scientific Technologists
CETA covers 2 types of technologists:
- engineering
- scientific
If you’re coming as a technologist, you must
- have a 3-year post-secondary degree
- supply a service for no more than 12 months
- have a university degree or equivalent qualification
- have the appropriate licensing or professional certification needed for your job
- be employed by an EU company
- for at least 1 year before applying
- that has a service contract in Canada
- have a minimum number of years of professional experience in the relevant sector when applying as
- a contractual service supplier - 3 years
- an independent professional - 6 years
- supply your service on a short-term basis
- not receive payment for any other services or from any other sources while in Canada
Example of a contractual service provider
A French engineering technologist with a three-year engineering technology diploma is employed by a French renewable-energy firm. The firm signs a contract with a Canadian energy company to assist with wind-turbine installation and testing. The technologist seeks entry to Canada temporarily to support on-site technical implementation under the contract but remains employed and paid by the French company.
Example of an independent professional
A Dutch scientific technologist, self-employed and holding a three-year diploma in environmental science technology, signs a contract with a Canadian environmental consulting firm. The technologist seeks entry to Canada to assist with field testing and data analysis for a temporary environmental assessment project, then returns to the Netherlands once the contract concludes.
As a technologist, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
You can work for up to a total of 12 months in a 24-month period. An immigration officer can extend your permit at their discretion. It can’t be extended beyond 24 months.
Intra-company transferees
An intra-company transferee is sent from a foreign company to work for the same or related company in Canada. The company must
- be a multinational company with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada
- be doing business in Canada
- Doing business means regularly, systematically and continuously providing goods or services.
- Just having a mailing address or access to a shared workspace in Canada isn’t considered doing business.
To qualify, you must
- have worked on an ongoing basis for the same or a related employer in an EU member state for at least 1 year in the 3-year period before you apply, in a full-time position similar to the one you’ll be transferred to in Canada
- be transferred to Canada to work temporarily for the same or a related employer
- work as a senior manager, an executive or a graduate trainee, or in a job that uses specialized knowledge
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for up to 3 years if you’re a senior manager, an executive or a specialist.
If your work contract is extended, you can extend your work permit for up to 1.5 years at a time, with a maximum stay of
- 4.5 years for a specialist
- 4.5 years for a senior manager or an executive
If you’re a graduate trainee, your work permit will last for the length of your work contract (up to 1 year). You can’t get an extension.
How to apply for a work permit
Spouses
If you’re an intra-company transferee, your spouse will be eligible for an open work permit (OWP). This will allow them to work for almost any employer in Canada. It will last as long as your work permit.
More information on CETA
For more details, see the official instructions followed by immigration officers.
Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement
The Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (CUKTCA) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) temporarily.
If you’re coming under this FTA, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Only citizens of the UK are eligible.
Types of business people covered:
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity. They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
Types of business activities include
- meetings and consultations
- research and design
- marketing research
- training seminars
- trade fairs and exhibitions
- sales
- purchasing
- after-sales or after-lease service
- commercial transactions
- tourism
- translation or interpretation services
- investment (like setting up an enterprise)
Investor (business visitor)
CUKTCA defines an investor (business visitor) entering for investment purposes as a manager or specialist who
- is responsible for setting up an enterprise
- isn’t paid by a Canadian source
- doesn’t engage in direct transactions with the general public
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 6-month period.
Investors
Investors seek to establish, develop or administer an investment with substantial capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation.
To qualify as an investor, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
You must also be one of the following:
- the primary investor
- the employee of an enterprise committing substantial capital
As an investor, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year and can be extended.
Professionals
The CUKTCA covers 2 types of professionals:
- contractual service suppliers
- independent professionals
Equivalent occupations
Canada and the UK approach eligible occupations and related requirements differently. Make sure your occupation is eligible.
If you’re coming as either kind professional, you must
- supply a service for no more than 12 months
- have pre-arranged employment
- have a university degree or equivalent qualification
- have any professional certifications needed for your job
In addition, to qualify as a contractual service supplier, you must
- be employed by a UK company
- for at least 1 year before applying
- that has a service contract in Canada
- have 3 years of professional experience in the relevant sector before applying
- supply your service on a short-term basis
- not receive payment for any other services or from any other sources while in Canada
To qualify as an independent professional, you must also
- be self-employed
- have a service contract with a Canadian consumer
- supply your service on a short-term basis
- have at least 6 years of professional experience in the relevant sector before applying
As a professional, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
You can work for up to 12 months in a 24-month period. An immigration officer can extend your permit at their discretion. It can’t be extended beyond 24 months.
Engineering technologists and scientific technologists
CUKTCA covers 2 types of technologists:
- engineering
- scientific
If you’re coming as a technologist, you must
- have pre-arranged employment
- have a university degree or equivalent qualification
- if you’re coming as an engineering technologist, a 3-year post-secondary degree is considered equivalent to a university degree
- if you’re coming as a scientific technologist, a 3-year post-secondary degree in agriculture, architecture, biology, chemistry, physics, forestry, geology, geophysics, mining or energy is considered equivalent to a university degree
- have the appropriate licensing or professional certification needed for your job
- be entering to supply your service on a short-term basis as one of the following:
- a contractual service provider who
- before applying, is employed for at least 1 year by a UK company that has a service contract in Canada
- has 3 years of professional experience in the relevant sector when applying
- must not receive payment for any other services or from any other sources while in Canada
- an independent professional who
- is self-employed
- has a service contract with a Canadian consumer
- has 6 years of professional experience in the relevant sector when applying
- a contractual service provider who
As a technologist, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
You can work for up to 12 months in a 24-month period. An immigration officer can extend your permit at their discretion. It can’t be extended beyond 24 months.
Intra-company transferees
An intra-company transferee is sent from a foreign company to work for the same or related company in Canada. The company must
- be a multinational company with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada
- be doing business in Canada
- Doing business means regularly, systematically and continuously providing goods or services.
- Just having a mailing address or access to a shared workspace in Canada is not considered doing business.
To qualify, you must
- have worked on an ongoing basis for the same or a related employer in the UK for at least 1 year in the 3-year period before you apply, in a full-time position similar to the one you’ll be transferred to in Canada
- be transferred to Canada to work short term for the same or a related employer
- work as a senior manager, an executive, or a graduate trainee, or in a job that uses specialized knowledge
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for up to 3 years if you’re a senior manager, an executive or a specialist.
If your work contract is extended, you can extend your work permit for up to 1.5 years at a time, for a maximum stay of
- 4.5 years for a specialist
- 4.5 years for a senior manager or an executive
If you’re a graduate trainee, your work permit will be valid for the duration of your work contract (up to 1 year). You can’t get an extension.
How to apply for a work permit
Spouses
If you’re an intra-company transferee, your spouse will be eligible for an open work permit (OWP). This will let them work for almost any employer in Canada. It will last as long as your work permit.
More information on CUKTCA
For more details, see the official instructions followed by immigration officers.
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter other World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries temporarily.
If you’re coming to Canada under GATS, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Who’s eligible
- Citizens of WTO members
- permanent residents of
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- Armenia
Types of business persons covered
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in an international business activity. Examples of such business activities include
- attendance at
- business meetings
- trade conventions
- exhibitions (not selling to the public)
- procurement of Canadian goods and services
- activities of people providing after-sale services as part of a warranty or sales agreement
They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
As a business visitor, you do not need a work permit.
You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
Professionals
A GATS professional comes to work in Canada for a foreign company with a service contract. They must
- meet specified educational requirements
- get a provincial license where required
Occupations covered include
- engineers
- agrologists (minimum of 4 years of experience)
- architects
- forestry professionals
- geomatics professionals (minimum of 3 years of experience)
- land surveyors
- foreign legal consultants
- urban planners
- senior computer specialists (minimum of 10 years of experience)
As a GATS professional, you need an employer-specific work permit.
Your employer will need to:
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
You can enter Canada and work for up to 90 consecutive days within a 12‑month period.
Intra-company transferees
An intra-company transferee is sent from a foreign company to work for the same or related company in Canada. The company must
- be a multinational company with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada
- be doing business in Canada
- Just having a mailing address or access to a shared workspace in Canada is not considered doing business.
To enter Canada as an intra-company transferee you must be
- a manager
- an executive
- a specialized knowledge worker
You need to have worked for the company for at least 1 year.
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit will be valid for
- 3 years if you’re a specialized knowledge worker
- 5 years if you’re a manager or executive
You can extend your work permit for a period of up to 2 years, with maximum stay of
- 5 years for a specialized knowledge worker
- 7 years for a manager or executive
More information on GATS
For more details, see the official instructions used by immigration officers.
Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement
The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada and Chile temporarily.
If you’re coming under this FTA, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Only citizens of Chile are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business people covered:
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity.
They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
Types of business activities under this FTA include
- research and design
- growth, manufacturing and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after-sales service
- general service, including
- commercial transactions
- financial services (insurers, bankers or investment brokers)
- public relations and advertising
- tourism
- translation or interpretation services
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
Professionals
To qualify under this FTA as a professional, you must
- meet the educational requirements for your contracted position
- have all the licensing and certification required for the job
- have a pre-arranged contract with a Canadian employer when you enter Canada (you can’t enter to look for work)
- comply with all other requirements for temporary entry
You also need to work in one of the skilled occupations below.
General
- accountant
- architect
- computer systems analyst
- disaster relief insurance claims adjuster
- economist
- engineer
- forester
- graphic designer
- hotel manager
- industrial designer
- interior designer
- land surveyor
- landscape architect
- lawyer (including notary in the province of Quebec)
- librarian
- management consultant
- mathematician (including statistician)
- range manager or range conservationist
- research assistant (working in a post-secondary institution)
- scientific technician or technologist
- social worker
- silviculturist (including forestry specialist)
- technical publications writer
- urban planner (including geographer)
- vocational counsellor
Medical/allied professionals
- dentist
- dietitian
- medical laboratory technologist
- nutritionist
- occupational therapist
- pharmacist
- physician (teaching or research only)
- physiotherapist/physical therapist
- psychologist
- recreational therapist
- registered nurse
- veterinarian
Scientists
- agriculturist (including agronomist)
- animal breeder
- animal scientist
- apiculturist
- astronomer
- biochemist
- biologist
- chemist
- dairy scientist
- entomologist
- epidemiologist
- geneticist
- geologist
- geochemist
- geophysicist
- horticulturist
- meteorologist
- pharmacologist
- physicist (including oceanographer in Canada and Chile)
- plant breeder
- poultry scientist
- soil scientist
- zoologist
Teachers
- instructor at
- a college
- a seminary
- a university
As a professional, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal.
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit will be valid for the duration of your work contract (up to 3 years). If your work contract is extended, you can extend your work permit (up to 3 years at a time).
Intra-company transferees
An intra-company transferee is sent from a foreign company to work for the same or related company in Canada. The company must
- be a multinational company with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada
- be doing business in Canada
- Doing business means regularly, systematically and continuously providing goods or services.
- Just having a mailing address or access to a shared workspace in Canada isn’t considered doing business.
To qualify as an intra-company transferee under this FTA, you must be
- a senior manager
- an executive or
- a specialized knowledge worker
You must also have been employed continuously by your company for at least 1 year in the 3-year period before you apply, in a full-time position similar to the one you’ll be transferred to in Canada.
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for up to 3 years.
You can extend your work permit for up to 2 years at a time, with a maximum stay of
- 5 years for a specialized knowledge worker
- 7 years for a senior manager or an executive
Traders
Traders plan to do major trade in goods or services between Canada and Chile.
To qualify as a trader, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
As a trader, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
Investors
Investors seek to establish, develop or administer an investment with a substantial amount of capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation.
To qualify as an investor, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
You must also be one of the following:
- the primary investor
- the employee of an enterprise committing substantial capital
As an investor, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to:
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
More information on the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement
For more details, see the official instructions followed by immigration officers.
Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
The Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada and Colombia temporarily.
If you’re coming under this FTA, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Only citizens, nationals and permanent residents of Colombia are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business people covered:
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity. They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
Types of business activities under this FTA include
- meetings and consultations
- research and design
- growth, manufacturing and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after-sales or after-lease service
- commercial transactions
- financial services (insurers, bankers or investment brokers)
- public relations and advertising
- tourism (tour and travel agents, tour guides or tour operators)
- cook (cookers and assistants)
- translation or interpretation services
- information and communication technology services
- franchise trade and development
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
Professionals
To qualify under this FTA as a professional, you must
- have a post-secondary degree of at least 4 years in your field of work
- have all the licensing or certification required for your job
- have pre-arranged employment with a Canadian employer when you enter Canada (you can’t enter to look for work)
- work in an occupation classified under training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) category 0 or 1 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC), except for those listed below
Professional occupations that aren’t eligible under the Canada-Colombia FTA
Health care
- health care manager
- social and community service manager
- physician
- dentist
- optometrist
- chiropractor
- pharmacist
- dietitian
- nutritionist
- therapist and assessment professional
- psychologist and social worker
- nurse supervisor and registered nurse
- other health profession
Education
- education manager
- university professor and assistant
- college and other vocational instructor
- elementary and secondary school teacher and counsellor
Cultural industries
- manager in
- a library
- archives
- a museum
- an art gallery
- publishing
- motion pictures
- broadcasting
- the performing arts
- creative and performing artist
Other
- recreation, sports and fitness program service director
- manager in
- telecommunications
- postal and courier services
- manufacturing
- utilities
- construction and transportation
- judge, lawyer and notary (except foreign legal consultant)
As a professional, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit.
Your initial work permit can be valid for up to 3 years and can be extended in 3-year increments.
Technicians
To qualify as a technician under this FTA, you must
- have, at a minimum, a 1-year post-secondary or technical degree
- have all the licensing or certification required for your job
- have a pre-arranged contractual relationship when you enter Canada (you can’t enter to look for work)
- work in an occupation classified under TEER 2 or 3 of the NOC, listed below
National Occupation Classification 2021
On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the NOC.
If you applied on or after November 16, 2022, your occupation must be either TEER 2 or TEER 3 to be eligible.
Check the NOC 2021 to make sure you’re still eligible.
Eligible technical occupations under the Canada-Colombia FTA
Trades
- plumber
- oil and gas well
- driller
- servicer
- tester
- engineering technologist and technician, including
- civil
- mechanical
- industrial and manufacturing
- electrical and electronics (includes electronic service technicians)
- engineering inspector, tester and regulatory officer
- construction inspector and estimator
- electrician (includes industrial electrician)
- industrial instrument technician and mechanic
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanic, technician and inspector
- underground production and development miner
Other occupations
- graphic designer and illustrator
- interior designer
- chef
- computer and information system technician
- international purchasing and selling agent
Supervisor in these occupations
- machinist and related technician
- printing and related occupation
- mining and quarrying
- oil and gas drilling and service
- mineral and metal processing
- petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
- food, beverage and tobacco processing
- plastic and rubber products manufacturing
- forest products processing
- textile processing
Contractor and supervisor in these occupations
- electrical trades and telecommunications
- pipefitting trades
- metal forming
- shaping and erecting trades
- carpentry trades
- mechanic trades
- heavy construction equipment crews
- other construction trades
- installing, repairing and servicing
As a technician, you need a work permit.
Your initial work permit can be valid for up to 3 years and can be extended in 3-year increments.
Intra-company transferees
An intra-company transferee is sent from a foreign company to work for the same or related company in Canada. The company must
- be a multinational company with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada
- be doing business in Canada
- Doing business means regularly, systematically and continuously providing goods or services.
- Just having a mailing address or access to a shared workspace in Canada is not considered doing business.
To qualify as an intra-company transferee under this FTA, you must be one of the following:
- a senior manager
- an executive
- a specialized knowledge worker
- a management trainee
You must have been employed continuously by your company for at least 6 months in the 3-year period before you apply, in a full-time position similar to the one you will be transferred to in Canada.
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
How to apply for a work permit
Your work permit may be issued for 1 to 3 years, depending on your role:
- 1 year for a management trainee
- 3 years for a specialized knowledge worker, a senior manager or an executive
You can extend your work permit for up to 2 years at a time, with a maximum stay of
- 3 years for a management trainee
- 5 years for a specialized knowledge worker
- 7 years for a senior manager or an executive
Traders
Traders carry on substantial trade in goods or services between Canada and Colombia.
To qualify as a trader, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
As a trader, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
How to apply for a work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
Investors
Investors seek to establish, develop or administer an investment with a substantial amount of capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation.
As an investor, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
You must also be one of the following:
- the primary investor
- the employee of an enterprise committing substantial capital
As an investor, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
How to apply for a work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
Spouses and common-law partners
If you’re coming to Canada under this FTA, your spouse or common-law partner can get an open work permit (OWP). This will allow them to work for almost any employer in Canada. Their OWP will usually expire when your work permit does.
Spouses and partners of business visitors are not eligible for an OWP.
More information on the Canada-Colombia FTA
For more details, see the official instructions followed by immigration officers.
Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement
The Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to come into Canada and Peru temporarily.
If you’re coming under this FTA, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Only citizens and permanent residents of Peru are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business people covered:
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity. They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
Types of business activity include
- meetings and consultations
- research and design
- growth, manufacturing and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after-sales or after-lease service
- general service
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months with possible extensions.
Professionals
A professional is someone who provides contractual services as one of the following:
- an independent professional
- an employee of a foreign company
To qualify under this FTA as a professional, you must
- have a post-secondary degree of at least 4 years in your field of work
- have all the licensing or certification needed for your job
- have a pre-arranged contractual relationship with a Canadian employer when you enter Canada (you can’t enter to look for work)
- work in a profession classified under training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) category 0 or 1 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC), except for those specifically excluded from the agreement
Excluded occupations
If you work in one of the occupations below, you can’t come to Canada under this FTA.
Health care
- health care manager
- social and community service manager
- physician
- dentist
- optometrist
- chiropractor
- pharmacist
- dietitian
- nutritionist
- therapist and assessment professional
- psychologist and social worker
- nurse supervisor and registered nurse
- other health profession
Education
- education manager
- university professors and assistant
- college and other vocational instructor
- elementary and secondary school teacher and counsellor
Cultural industries
- manager in
- a library
- archives
- a museum
- an art gallery
- publishing
- motion pictures
- broadcasting
- the performing arts
- creative and performing artist
Other
- recreation, sports and fitness program service director
- manager in
- telecommunications
- postal and courier services
- manufacturing
- utilities
- construction
- transportation
- judge, lawyer and notary (except for foreign legal consultant)
As a professional, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year, with extensions possible.
Technicians
A technician is someone who provides contractual services as one of the following:
- an independent professional
- an employee of a foreign company
To qualify as a technician under this FTA, you must
- have, at a minimum, a 1-year post-secondary or technical degree (or the equivalent)
- have all licensing or certification requirements for the position
- have a pre-arranged contractual relationship with a Canadian employer when you enter Canada (you can’t enter to look for work)
- work in an eligible occupation that is classified under TEER 2 or TEER 3 of the NOC listed below
National Occupation Classification 2021
On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the NOC.
If you applied on or after November 16, 2022, your occupation must be either TEER 2 or TEER 3 to be eligible.
Check the NOC 2021 to make sure you’re still eligible.
Eligible occupations under the Canada-Peru FTA
Trades
- plumber
- oil and gas well
- driller
- servicer
- tester
- engineering technologist and technician, including
- civil
- mechanical
- industrial and manufacturing
- electrical and electronics (includes electronic service technician)
- engineering inspector, tester and regulatory officer
- construction inspector and estimator
- electrician (includes industrial electrician)
- industrial instrument technician and mechanic
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanic, technician and inspector
- underground production and development miner
Other occupations
- graphic designers and illustrator
- interior designer
- chef
- computer and information system technician
- international selling and purchasing agent
Supervisors in these occupations
- machinist and related technician
- printing and related occupation
- mining and quarrying
- oil and gas drilling and service
- mineral and metal processing
- petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
- food, beverage and tobacco processing
- plastic and rubber product manufacturing
- forest products processing
- textile processing
Contractors and supervisors in
- electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- pipefitting trades
- metal forming
- shaping and erecting trades
- carpentry trades
- mechanic trades
- heavy construction equipment crews
- other construction trades
- installing, repairing and servicing
As a technician, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year, with extensions possible.
Intra-company transferees
An intra-company transferee is sent from a foreign company to work for the same or related company in Canada. The company must
- be a multinational company with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada
- be doing business in Canada
- Doing business means regularly, systematically and continuously providing goods or services.
- Just having a mailing address or access to a shared workspace in Canada is not considered doing business.
To qualify as an intra-company transferee under this FTA, you must be one of the following:
- a senior manager
- an executive
- a specialized knowledge worker
- a management trainee
You must also have been employed continuously by your company for at least 6 months in the 3-year period before you apply, in a full-time position similar to the one you’ll be transferred to in Canada.
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for 1 to 3 years, depending on your role:
- 1 year for a management trainee
- 3 years for a specialized knowledge worker, a senior manager or an executive
You can renew or extend your work permit for up to 2 years at a time, with a maximum stay of
- 3 years for a management trainee
- 5 years for a specialized knowledge worker
- 7 years for a senior manager or an executive
Traders
Traders plan to do substantial trade in goods or services between Canada and Peru.
To qualify as a trader, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
As an trader, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
Investors
Investor4 seek to establish, develop or administer an investment with a substantial amount of capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation.
To qualify as an investor, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
As an investor, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
More information on the Canada-Peru FTA
For more details, see the official instructions followed by immigration officers.
Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement
The Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement (FTA) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to come into Canada and Panama temporarily.
If you’re coming under this FTA, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Only citizens and permanent residents of Panama are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business people covered:
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity. They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
Types of business activities under this FTA include
- research and design
- cultivation, manufacture and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after-sales or after-lease service
- general services, including
- commercial transactions by management and supervisory personnel or financial services (insurers, bankers or investment brokers)
- public relations and advertising
- tourism
- translation or interpretation
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
Professionals
To qualify under this FTA as a professional, you must
- have a 4-year post-secondary degree in your field of work
- have all the required licensing or certification required for your job
- have pre-arranged employment with a Canadian employer (you can’t enter to look for work)
- work in an occupation listed below and classified under training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) category 0 or 1 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC)
On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the NOC system.
If you applied on or after November 16, 2022, check the NOC 2021 to make sure you are still eligible.
The Canada-Panama FTA covers a variety of highly skilled specialty occupations:
General occupations
- accommodation service manager
- actuary
- forestry professional
- geomatics professional
- graphic designer and illustrator
- industrial designer
- land surveyor
- logistics professional or logistics expert
- management consultant
- mathematician
- primary production manager (except agriculture and related professions), including a manager who plans, organizes, directs, controls and evaluates the operations of establishments in the following primary industries:
- forestry and logging
- mining and quarrying
- oil and gas drilling
- production and servicing operations
- commercial fishing
- statistician
- aeronautical engineer
- electronics engineer
- software engineer and designer
- systems engineer
Computer and information systems occupations
- database analyst and data administrator
- information and communication technology professional
- information systems analyst
- software developer
- web designer and developer
- computer programmer
- interactive media developer
Science occupations
- archeologist
- anthropologist
- astronomer
- biologist (including ecologist, animal geneticist, food scientist)
- geochemist
- geologist
- geophysicist
- meteorologist
- paleontologist
- physicist
As a professional, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit will be valid for the duration of your work contract (up to 3 years). If your work contract is extended, you can extend your work permit (up to 3 years at a time).
More information on the Canada-Panama FTA
For more details, see the official instructions followed by immigration officers.
Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement
The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada and the Republic of Korea temporarily.
If you’re coming under this FTA, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Only citizens and permanent residents of the Republic of Korea are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business people covered:
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity. They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
Types of business activities under this FTA include
- research and design
- growth, manufacture and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after-sales service or after-lease service
- general service
- commercial transactions
- financial services (insurers, bankers or investment brokers)
- public relations
- advertising
- tourism
- translation or unterpretation services
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
Professionals
The Canada-Korea FTA covers 2 types of professionals:
- contractual service suppliers
- employees of an enterprise who supply a contracted service
- independent professionals
- self-employed professionals who supply a contracted service
If you’re coming as either kind of professional, you must
- work in an eligible occupation listed below
- meet the minimum educational requirements (or equivalent qualifications) for your contracted position
- have all required licensing and certification for your occupation
- have a pre-arranged contractual relationship when you enter Canada (you can’t enter to look for work)
- comply with all other requirements for temporary entry
This category includes workers in the following skilled occupations:
Independent professionals
- architect
- engineer
- management consultant
- veterinarian
Contract service suppliers
- accountant
- actuary
- agrologist
- architect
- landscape architect
- apiculturist
- auditor
- biologist
- chemist
- engineer
- forester
- geoscientist
- horticulturalist
- management consultant
- meteorologist
- physical scientist
- silviculturist
- urban and land use planner
- veterinarian
- analyst in information systems, databases or data administration
- computer programmer and interactive media developer
- software engineer and designer
As a professional, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit will be valid for the duration of your work contract (up to 3 years). If your work contract is extended, you can extend your work permit (up to 3 years at a time).
Intra-company transferees
An intra-company transferee is sent from a foreign company to work for the same or related company in Canada. The company must
- be a multinational company with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada
- be doing business in Canada
- Doing business means regularly, systematically and continuously providing goods or services.
- Just having a mailing address or access to a shared workspace in Canada is not considered doing business.
To qualify, you must be one of the following:
- a senior manager
- an executive
- a specialized knowledge worker
- a management trainee
You must also have been employed continuously by your company for at least 1 year in the 3-year period before you apply, in a full-time position similar to the one you’ll be transferred to in Canada.
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for 1 to 3 years, depending on your role:
- 1 year for a management trainee
- 3 years for a specialized knowledge worker, a senior manager or an executive
You can extend your work permit for up to 2 years, with a maximum stay of
- 3 years for a management trainee
- 5 years for a specialized knowledge worker
- 7 years for a senior manager or an executive
Traders
Traders plan to do substantial trade in goods or services between Canada and Korea.
To qualify as a trader, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
As an trader, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
Investors
Investors seek to establish, develop or administer an investment with a substantial amount of capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation.
To qualify as an investor, you must be one of the following:
- a supervisor
- an executive
- someone with essential skills for the project
As an investor, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit
Your work permit may be issued for a maximum of 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
Spouses and common-law partners
If you’re coming to Canada under this FTA, your spouse or common-law partner can get an open work permit (OWP). This will allow them to work for almost any employer in Canada. Their OWP will usually expire when your work permit does.
Spouses and partners of business visitors are not eligible for an OWP.
More information on the Canada-Korea FTA
For more details, see the official instructions followed by immigration officers.
Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement
The Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (FTA) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada and Ukraine temporarily.
If you’re coming under this FTA, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Only citizens and permanents residents of Ukraine are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business persons covered:
Business visitors
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity. They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
Types of business activities include:
- meetings and consultations
- research and design
- growth, manufacturing and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after-sales or after-lease services
- general services
- commercial transactions
- tourism
- translation
As a business visitor, you do not need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
Professionals
To enter Canada as a professional, you must have
- a 4-year post-secondary degree (unless otherwise specified)
- any additional requirements defined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for your occupation
- 2 years of paid work experience in your contracted job’s sector
- similar pay to other qualified industry professionals in the region where you work
This category includes workers in all Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) 0 or 1 occupations except:
- health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
- judges, lawyers, and notaries except for foreign legal consultants.
- managers in postal and courier services
- managers of telecommunications carriers
- occupations related to cultural industries
- recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
As a professional, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to:
- Submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- Pay the employer compliance fee
- Provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit.
Normally, your work permit will be valid for the duration of your work contract (up to 1 year). Extensions are possible.
Intra-company transferees
An intra-company transferee is sent from a foreign company to work for the same or related company in Canada. The company must
- be a multinational company with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in Canada
-
be doing business in Canada
- Just having a mailing address or access to a shared workspace in Canada is not considered doing business.
To qualify, you must be:
- a manager
- an executive, or
- a specialized knowledge worker
You must also have been employed continuously by your company for at least 1 year in the 3-year period before you apply.
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to:
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit.
Your initial work permit may be issued up to
- 3 years if you’re a specialized knowledge worker
- 5 years if you’re a manager or executive
You can extend your work permit for a period of up to 2 years, with maximum stay of
- 5 years for a specialized knowledge worker
- 7 years for a manager or executive
Investors
An investor seeks to establish, develop or administer an investment to which a substantial amount of capital was or is being committed.
As an investor, you’ll typically be
- a supervisor
- an executive
- have essential skills for the project
As an investor, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to:
- submit a job offer using the Employer Portal
- pay the employer compliance fee
- provide you with an offer of employment number before you apply for your work permit.
Normally, your work permit will be valid for 1 year and cannot be extended.
Spouses and common-law partners
If you are coming to Canada under this free trade agreement, your spouse or common-law partner can get an open work permit (OWP). This will allow them to work for almost any employer in Canada. The OWP will expire when your work permit does.
Spouses and partners of business visitors cannot receive an OWP.
More information on the Canada-Ukraine FTA
For more details, see the official instructions used by immigration officers.