Citizens of select countries may benefit from easier access to Canadian work permits.
If you’re a citizen of a country that has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Canada, you may be eligible for a work permit that is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. These LMIA-exempt permits are available under various international agreements, offering a streamlined path to work in Canada.
In contrast, individuals from countries without such agreements typically need to apply for LMIA-based work permits, which are generally more complex, expensive, and time-consuming.
In this article, you’ll learn about:
- The countries whose citizens may qualify for work permits under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs);
- The different types of FTA-based work permits and their eligibility criteria; and
- The application process for obtaining an LMIA-exempt work permit through an FTA.
Eligible Nationalities
The following countries have Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Canada that may allow their citizens to apply for LMIA-exempt work permits:
| Country | Applicable FTA(s) |
| Australia | CPTPP |
| Austria | CETA |
| Belgium | CETA |
| Brunei | CPTPP |
| Bulgaria | CETA |
| Chile | CPTPP, CCFTA |
| Colombia | CCOFTA |
| Croatia | CETA |
| Cyprus | CETA |
| Czechia | CETA |
| Denmark | CETA |
| Estonia | CETA |
| Finland | CETA |
| France | CETA |
| Germany | CETA |
| Greece | CETA |
| Hungary | CETA |
| Ireland | CETA |
| Italy | CETA |
| Japan | CPTPP |
| Latvia | CETA |
| Lithuania | CETA |
| Luxembourg | CETA |
| Malaysia | CPTPP |
| Malta | CETA |
| Mexico | CUSMA, CPTPP |
| Netherlands | CETA |
| New Zealand | CPTPP |
| Peru | CPTPP |
| Poland | CETA |
| Portugal | CETA |
| Romania | CETA |
| Singapore | CPTPP |
| Slovakia | CETA |
| Slovenia | CETA |
| Spain | CETA |
| Sweden | CETA |
| United States | CUSMA |
| Vietnam | CPTPP |
Requirements Vary by Permit Type
The specific requirements will depend on the type of work permit you’re applying for. If you’re unsure about your eligibility or the conditions that apply, it’s advisable to consult a qualified immigration professional.
Regardless of the permit type, all applicants must meet Canada’s admissibility requirements to enter the country.
Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
Formerly known as NAFTA, the CUSMA facilitates the temporary entry of U.S. and Mexican citizens into Canada for work purposes. Four categories of businesspersons may be eligible for LMIA-exempt work permits under this agreement:
1. Professionals
To qualify, you must:
- Be a U.S. or Mexican citizen,
- Have a valid job offer in one of the 63 designated CUSMA occupations, and
- Meet the required education, credentials, and certifications for the role.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 3 years
2. Intra-Company Transferees
Eligible individuals include executives, senior managers, or specialized knowledge workers transferring within the same multinational company or to a related Canadian entity.
Key requirements:
- At least one year of continuous employment with the company within the past three years.
Work Permit Validity:
- Up to 5 years for executives or managers
- Up to 3 years for specialized knowledge workers
3. Investors and Traders
You may be eligible if you are:
- Directly involved in substantial trade in goods or services between your home country and Canada, or
- Establishing, developing, or managing a significant investment in Canada, including offering technical or advisory support.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 1 year
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
Citizens of European Union (EU) member states may be eligible for LMIA-exempt work permits under CETA if they fall into one of the following four categories:
1. Professionals
This category includes:
- Contractual service suppliers employed by an EU company, and
- Independent professionals (self-employed individuals).
Eligibility requirements include:
- A university degree or equivalent qualification,
- Relevant professional certification (if applicable), and
- Minimum work experience:
- 3 years for contractual service suppliers
- 6 years for independent professionals
- 3 years for contractual service suppliers
Additional criteria:
- Contractual service suppliers must have worked for the EU employer for at least one year and hold a signed service contract with a Canadian client.
- Independent professionals must have a direct contract with a Canadian service consumer.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 24 months, but actual work in Canada is limited to 12 months.
2. Intra-Company Transferees
Eligible applicants include executives, supervisors, specialized knowledge workers, and graduate trainees transferring from an EU-based company to a related Canadian entity (parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate).
Key requirement:
- At least one year of continuous employment with the EU company (or a related company in an EU member state) prior to applying.
Work Permit Validity (Intra-Company Transferees):
- Up to 3 years for executives or specialists
- Up to 1 year for graduate trainees
3. Investors
Executives, supervisors, or specialists who have made—or intend to make—a substantial investment in a Canadian business may be eligible.
Key requirement: Your role must focus exclusively on developing and directing the enterprise.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 24 months, with a maximum of 12 months of authorized work in Canada.
4. Technologists
This category applies to engineering or scientific technologists.
Eligibility criteria:
- A three-year post-secondary qualification (or equivalent),
- At least 3 years of relevant industry experience,
- At least 1 year of prior employment with the EU company, and
- A valid service contract in Canada.
You must also meet any professional licensing or certification requirements specific to your occupation.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 24 months, with work in Canada limited to 12 months.
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Citizens—and in some cases, permanent residents—of CPTPP member countries in the Indo-Pacific region may qualify for LMIA-exempt work permits under one of four categories:
1. Professionals
Eligible individuals must:
- Hold a four-year post-secondary degree, and
- Have at least two years of relevant work experience.
Note: The list of eligible occupations varies by country.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 1 year
2. Intra-Company Transferees
This category includes managers, executives, specialists, and management trainees transferring within a multinational company to a Canadian branch or affiliate.
Key requirement:
- At least one year of continuous employment with the CPTPP-based company (or in a relevant partnership) within the past three years.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 3 years
3. Investors
Supervisors, executives, or employees with specialized skills who are establishing, developing, or managing a substantial investment in Canada may qualify.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 1 year
4. Technicians
Available to citizens and permanent residents of certain CPTPP countries who:
- Hold a two-year post-secondary or technical qualification, and
- Have at least four years of relevant work experience in the job sector related to the Canadian assignment.
Note: Eligible technician occupations vary by country.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 1 year
Canada–Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)
Citizens of Chile may be eligible for an LMIA-exempt work permit under the CCFTA if they fall into one of the designated categories for temporary entry into Canada.
Professionals
To qualify, you must:
- Work in an eligible occupation—such as general, scientific, medical/allied health, or teaching fields, and
- Meet the required educational and professional qualifications for the position.
Additional Requirements for Professionals
You must hold all necessary licenses and certifications required to perform the duties of your prearranged position in Canada.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 3 years
Intra-Company Transferees
Eligible individuals are Chilean citizens employed by a multinational company with operations in both Chile and Canada. You must be transferring to a Canadian branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate in one of the following roles:
- Executive
- Manager
- Specialized knowledge worker
Work Permit Validity:
- Up to 5 years for executives or managers
- Up to 3 years for specialized knowledge workers
Investors and Traders
This category applies to supervisors, executives, or key personnel with specialized skills who:
- Are actively engaged in substantial trade in goods or services between Chile and Canada, or
- Are establishing, developing, or directing a significant investment in Canada.
This can include providing technical guidance or strategic advisory services related to the investment.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 1 year
Canada–Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCoFTA)
Under the CCoFTA, eligible Colombian citizens may apply for LMIA-exempt work permits to temporarily work in Canada. The duration and requirements depend on the category of the work permit.
1. Professionals
To qualify, you must:
- Work in an occupation that is not on the ineligible list and falls under NOC TEER 0 or 1,
- Hold a four-year post-secondary degree in your field, and
- Meet all licensing and certification requirements applicable to the position in Canada.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 1 year
2. Intra-Company Transferees
This category includes Colombian citizens employed by a multinational company who are being transferred to a Canadian branch, subsidiary, affiliate, or parent company in one of the following roles:
- Executive
- Manager
- Specialized knowledge worker
- Management trainee
Key requirement:
- At least six months of continuous employment with the Colombian company within the past three years prior to application.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 3 years
3. Technicians
Colombian citizens in eligible technician roles may qualify for an LMIA-exempt work permit if they:
- Hold a two-year post-secondary or technical diploma,
- Work in a TEER 2 or 3 occupation under the National Occupation Classification (NOC), and
- Possess all required licenses and certifications for the role in Canada.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 1 year
4. Traders and Investors
This category applies to supervisors, executives, or individuals with essential expertise who are:
- Engaged in substantial trade of goods or services between Colombia and Canada, or
- Making, developing, or managing a significant capital investment in Canada, including offering technical or advisory support related to the investment.
Work Permit Validity: Up to 1 year
Note: Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system groups jobs by type and skill level. The TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) system includes six levels, with TEER 0 representing the most specialized occupations and TEER 5 the least.
How to Apply
The application process involves two main stages:
- Employer Stage:
The Canadian employer must submit the necessary documentation and information to support the foreign worker’s application. - Worker Stage:
The foreign national then submits their individual work permit application, including proof of eligibility under the CCoFTA category they are applying through.
Employer Responsibilities
Step 1: Submit the Job Offer through the Employer Portal
Employers must log in to the Employer Portal to formally submit the job offer for the prospective foreign worker.
Step 2: Pay the Employer Compliance Fee
A fee of CAD 230 must be paid as part of the International Mobility Program (IMP) compliance requirements.
Step 3: Provide the Offer of Employment Number
Once the above steps are completed, the employer will receive an offer of employment number, which must be shared with the foreign worker for use in their application.
Employee Responsibilities
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements specific to:
- Your country’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Canada, and
- The relevant work permit category under that agreement (e.g., professional, intra-company transferee, investor, etc.).
Step 2: Review the Instruction Guide
Refer to the official instruction guide provided by the Government of Canada for your specific FTA. It includes detailed information on eligibility, documentation, and application procedures.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
When completing your online application, you will receive a personalized document checklist. Common requirements include:
- Proof of education (e.g., degrees or diplomas)
- Professional licenses or certifications
- Documentation demonstrating specialized knowledge or relevant experience
Step 4: Pay the Application Fees
- Work permit processing fee: CAD 155
- Biometrics fee (if required): CAD 85
Be sure to include proof of payment with your application.
Step 5: Submit Your Application to IRCC
Complete and submit your application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), either online or through an appropriate visa application center.
Important Notes:
- Biometrics: Depending on your nationality and job type, biometrics may be required. You will be notified during the application process.
- Admissibility: Meeting eligibility requirements under an FTA does not guarantee a work permit. Final approval is at the discretion of the reviewing immigration officer.
Processing Times: Timelines vary by country but typically range from 3 weeks to 5 months.
