CUSMA
Business people: Work in Canada under a free trade agreement
To find out if you can work in Canada under a free trade agreement, select your country of citizenship or the country or territory where you live. (required)
You may be eligible to work under a free trade agreement
Canada is part of 1 free trade agreement with this country or territory:
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
A business visitor comes to Canada to take p art in an international business activity. Examples of such business activities include
- Attendance at
- business meetings
- trade conventions
- exhibitions
- 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.
How to visit Canada on businessA GATS professional comes to work in Canada for a foreign company with a service contract.
- 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.
How to apply for a work permitAn 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
More information on GATS
For more details, see the official instructions used by immigration officers.
You’re not eligible to work under a free trade agreement
Canada is not part of a free trade agreement with this country or territory.
We’re in the process of updating this content as it is no longer accurate. Until then, see the official instructions used by immigration officers.
The CPTPP makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people from member countries to work temporarily in Canada.
If you’re coming to Canada under CPTPP, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) 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 persons covered
A business visitor comes to Canada to take part in business activity. They aren’t entering the Canadian labour market.
Citizens of all 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 Mexico, Peru and Malaysia, and to citizens and permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand)
- general services including
- 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.
How to visit canada on businessTo qualify as an investor, you must be both
- a citizen of
- Australia (or permanent resident)
- Brunei
- Chile
- Japan
- Mexico
- Vietnam or
- Peru and
- plan to establish or develop an investment with substantial capital
- on your own or
- on behalf of your enterprise
As an investor, you’ll be a supervisor or an executive, or have essential skills for the project.
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.
Your work permit will be valid for a maximum of 1 year, with extensions possible.
How to apply for a work permitIf you’re coming to Canada as a professional, you must be a citizen of 1 of the following countries:
- Japan
- Mexico
- Peru
- Malaysia
- Australia (or permanent resident)
- Chile
- Brunei
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
- 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 the following countries:
- Japan
- Mexico
- Peru
- Australia (or permanent resident)
- Chile
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
- similar pay to other qualified industry technicians in the region where you work
The list of occupations covered by this agreement is different for each country:
All TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted, except the following:
- health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
- judges and notaries
- managers in postal and courier services
- managers of telecommunications carriers
- occupations related to cultural industries
- recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
Only the following TEER 2 and 3 occupations that are listed are permitted:
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
- architectural technologists and technicians
- civil engineering technologists and technicians
- computer and information systems technicians (occupations include elements of TEER 1)
- construction inspectors and estimators
- drafting technologists and technicians
- electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- electricians
- engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
- graphic designers and illustrators
- industrial designers
- industrial engineering technologists and technicians
- industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- interior designers
- international purchasing and selling agents
- land survey technologists and technicians
- mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- oil and gas well drillers, servicers and testers
- plumbers
- technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
- supervisors 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
- Contractors and supervisors in:
- carpentry trades
- electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- heavy construction equipment crews
- installers, repairers and servicers
- mechanic trades
- metal forming
- other construction trades
- pipefitting trades
- shaping and erecting trades
Petroleum Engineers
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 directors
- managers of telecommunications carriers
- managers in postal and courier services
- judges, lawyers and notaries, except for foreign legal consultants
The following occupations that are listed as TEER 2 and 3 are permitted:
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
- civil engineering technologists and technicians
- computer and information systems technicians (occupation includes elements of TEER 1)
- construction inspectors and estimators
- electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- electricians
- engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
- graphic designers and illustrators
- industrial engineering technologists and technicians
- industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- interior designers
- international purchasing and selling agents
- mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- oil and gas well drillers, services and testers
- plumbers
- supervisors 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
- supervisors and contractors in the following areas:
- carpentry trades
- electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- heavy construction equipment crews
- installers, repairers and servicers
- mechanic trades
- metal forming
- other construction trades
- pipefitting trades
- shaping and erecting trades
All TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted, but not the following:
- health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
- judges, lawyers and notaries, except 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
- researchers, except those working at an academic entity
The following occupations that are listed as TEER 2 and 3 are permitted:
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
- civil engineering technologists and technicians
- computer and information systems technicians (occupation includes elements of TEER 1)
- construction inspectors and estimators
- electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- electricians
- engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
- graphic designers and illustrators
- industrial engineering technologists and technicians
- industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- interior designers
- international purchasing and selling agents
- mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- oil and gas well drillers, servicers and testers (excluding operators)
- technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
- supervisors in the following areas:
- carpentry trades
- electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- food, beverage and tobacco processing
- forest products processing
- heavy construction equipment crews
- installers, repairers and servicers
- 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
All TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted, but not the following:
- health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
- judges, lawyers and notaries, except 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
Permitted TEER 2 and 3 occupations are:
- civil engineering technologists and technicians
- computer and information systems technicians (occupation includes elements of TEER 1)
- construction inspectors and estimators
- electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- electricians
- engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
- graphic designers and illustrators
- industrial engineering technologists and technicians
- industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- interior designers
- international purchasing and selling agents
- mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- oil and gas well drillers, servicers and testers (excluding operators)
- international purchasing and selling agents
- architectural technologists and technicians
- contractors and supervisors in the following areas:
- electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- heavy construction equipment crews
- installers, repairers and servicers
- other construction trades
- pipefitting traders
- metal foaming, shaping and erecting traders
- carpentry traders
- mechanic traders
All TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted but not the following:
- health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
- judges, lawyers and notaries (except for foreign legal consultants)
- occupations related to cultural activities
- managers in
- telecommunications
- postal and courier services
- manufacturing
- utilities
- construction
- transportation
- recreation, sports and fitness program service directors
Technicians must have
- at minimum, a 1-year post-secondary or technical degree (or the equivalent)
- all licensing or certification required for the position
Permitted TEER 2 and 3 occupations are
- plumbers
- oil and gas well drillers, servicers and testers
- engineering technologists and technicians, including
- civil
- mechanical
- industrial
- electrical and electronics (includes electronic service technicians)
- engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
- construction inspectors and estimators
- electricians (includes industrial electricians)
- industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
- underground production and development miners
- graphic designers and illustrators
- interior designers
- chefs
- computer and information system technicians
- international purchasing and selling agents
- machinists and related technicians
- printing occupations and related occupations
- mining and quarrying occupations
- oil and gas drilling and service occupations
- mineral and metal processing occupations
- petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities occupations
- food, beverage and tobacco processing occupations
- plastic and rubber products manufacturing occupations
- forest products processing occupations
- textile processing occupations
- contractors and supervisors in
- 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
The following TEER 0 and 1 occupations are permitted:
- financial auditors and accountants
- financial analyst
- architecture managers
- architects
- landscape architects
- mechanical engineers
- civil engineers
- electrical and electronics engineers
- chemical engineers
- industrial and manufacturing engineers
- metallurgical and materials engineers
- mining engineers
- geological engineers
- petroleum engineers
- aerospace engineers
- computer engineers
- other professional engineers
- urban and land use planners
- veterinarians
- computer and information systems managers
- information systems analysts and consultants
- database analysts and data administrators
- software engineers
- computer programmers and interactive media developers
- web designers and developers
- actuaries
As a CPTPP professional or technician, you need a work permit.
Normally, your work permit will be valid for 1 year, with extensions possible.
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.
Under this agreement, you must be a citizen of 1 of the following:
- Japan
- Brunei
- Chile
- Mexico
- Peru
- Malaysia
- Australia
- Permanent residents are also eligible.
- New Zealand
- Permanent residents are also eligible.
You’ll also need to have been continuously employed by or partnered with an enterprise of a CPTPP country for at least 1 year within the last 3 years.
Intra-company transferees must be:
- managers
- executives
- specialists, or
- management trainee on professional development (applies to Chile only)
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.
Normally, your work permit will be valid for up to 3 years, with possible extensions.
Spouses
If you’re a citizen of
- Australia (or permanent resident)
- Japan
- Mexico
- Brunei (applies only to spouses of intracompany transferees and professionals)
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 of business visitors are not eligible for an OWP.
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 (LMIA) before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
If you’re coming under CETA, your employer won’t need to get a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) 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 persons covered
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 and interpretation
- investment (manager or specialist who is responsible for setting up an enterprise)
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 90 days in any 6-month period.
To qualify as an investor, you must be
- a supervisor or
- an executive
and
- the primary investor or
- the employee of an enterprise committing substantial capital or
- 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.
Normally, your work permit will be valid for 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
CETA covers 2 types of professionals:
- contractual service suppliers
- independent professionals
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 sany other services while in Canada
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
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 total in a 24-month period. An immigration officer can extend your permit at their discretion. It can’t be extended beyond 24 months.
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 certification professional 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 3 years of professional experience in the relevant sector when applying
- supply your service on a short-term basis
- not receive payment for any other services or from any other sources while in Canada
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 total in a 24 month period. An immigration officer can extend your permit at their discretion. It can’t be extended beyond 24 months.
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
- have worked on an ongoing basis for at least one year for the same or a related employer in an EU member state
- be transferred to Canada to work temporarily for the same or a related employer
- work as an executive, 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.
If you’re a specialist or an executive, 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 18 months).
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.
Spouses
As 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 CETA
For more details, see the official instructions used by immigration officers.
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 (LMIA) before you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Only citizens of Chile are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business persons covered
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:
- research and design
- growth, manufacturing and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after-sales service
- general service, including
- commercial transactions
- public relations and advertising
- tourism
- translation
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
To enter Canada 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 when you enter Canada (you cannot enter to look for work)
Your job must also be 1 of the skilled occupations below.
- 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 institution)
- scientific technician or technologist
- social worker
- sylviculturist (including forestry specialist)
- technical publications writer
- urban planner (including geographer)
- vocational counsellor
- dentist
- dietitian
- medical laboratory technologist
- nutritionist
- occupational therapist
- pharmacist
- physician (teaching or research only)
- physiotherapist/physical therapist
- psychologist
- recreational therapist
- registered nurse
- veterinarian
- 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)
- plant breeder
- poultry scientist
- soil scientist
- zoologist
- instructors at:
- colleges
- seminaries
- universities
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 3 years). If your work contract is extended, you can extend your work permit (up to 3 years at a time).
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, or
- a specialized knowledge worker
who has also 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 work permit will be valid for 3-5 years depending on your role:
- 3 years for a specialized knowledge worker
- 5 years for a manager or executive
You can extend your work permit for a period of up to 2 years, for a total maximum stay of
- 5 years for a specialized knowledge worker
- 7 years for a manager or executive
A trader or investor either
- plans to do major trade in goods or services between Canada and Chile or
- seeks to establish, develop or administer an investment with a substantial amount of capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation
You’ll also need to be:
- a supervisor
- an executive, or
- someone with essential skills for the project
As a trader/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. 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 used by immigration officers.
The Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCoFTA) helps skilled business persons from Colombia to temporarily work or do business in Canada.
Under this agreement, employers don’t need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for eligible applicants.
Only citizens of Colombia are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business persons covered
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
- general service
As a business visitor, you do not need a work permit.You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
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
- 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 listed below
- health care and community service managers
- physicians
- dentists
- optometrists
- chiropractors
- pharmacists
- dietitians
- nutritionists
- therapists
- psychologists and social workers
- nurse supervisors and registered nurses
- other health professions
- education managers
- university professors & assistants
- college & other vocational instructors
- elementary/secondary school teachers & counsellors
- managers in:
- libraries
- archives
- museums
- art galleries
- publishing
- motion pictures
- broadcasting
- performing arts
- creative & performing artists
- recreation, sports and fitness program service directors
- managers in:
- telecommunications
- postal and courier services
- manufacturing
- utilities
- construction
- transportation
- judges, lawyers and notaries (except for foreign legal consultants)
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 up to 1 year, which can be extended.
To qualify as a technician under this FTA you must
- have, at a minimum, a 2-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 cannot enter to look for work)
- work in an occupation classified under TEEER 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 apply 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
- plumbers
- oil/gas well
- drillers
- servicers
- testers
- engineering technologists and technicians, including:
- civil
- mechanical
- industrial
- electrical/electronics (includes electronic service technicians)
- engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
- construction inspectors and estimators
- electricians (includes industrial electricians)
- industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspector
- underground production and development miners
- graphic designers and illustrators
- interior designers
- chefs
- computer and information system technicians
- international purchasing and selling agents
- machinists and related technicians
- printing and related occupations
- mining and quarrying
- oil/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
- electrical trades and telecommunications
- pipefitting trades
- metal forming, shaping and erecting trades
- carpentry trades
- mechanic trades
- heavy construction equipment crews
- other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
As a technician, you need a work permit.
Normally, your work permit will be valid for up to 1 year, which can be extended.
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
- a specialized knowledge worker, or
- a management trainee on professional development
who has been employed continuously by your company for at least 6 months in the 3-year period before you apply.
As an intra-company transferee, you need a work permit.
Normally, your work permit will be valid for up to 3 years, with extensions possible.
A trader or investor, must be a supervisor or executive, or have essential skills for the project.
A trader or investor either
- plans to engage in major trade in goods or services between Canada and Columbia
or
- seeks to establish, further develop or administer an investment with a substantial amount of capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation
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.
More information on the Canada-Colombia FTA
For more details, see the official instructions used by immigration officers.
The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada and Korea 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 of the Republic of Korea are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business persons covered
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:
- research and design
- growth, manufacture and production
- manufacturing and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after sales service or after lease service
- general service
- commercial transactions
- public relations
- advertising
- tourism
- translation
This category includes workers in the following skilled occupations:
You may be eligible as a professional under the Canada-Korea FTA if:
- you’ll be working in an occupation listed below and
- you're an independent professional or
- a contract service supplier
- the employee of an enterprise who supplies a contracted service
You must also:
- meet the educational requirements for your contracted position
- have all required licensing and certification for your occupation
- have a pre-arranged contractual relationship when you enter Canada (you cannot enter to look for work).
This category includes workers in the following skilled occupations:
- architect
- engineer
- management consultant
- veterinarian
- accountant
- actuary
- agrologist
- architect
- landscape architect
- apiculturalist
- auditor
- biologist
- chemist
- engineer
- forester
- geoscientist
- horticulturalist
- management consultant
- meteorologist
- physical scientist
- sylviculturalist
- urban and land use planner
- veterinarian
- information system, database or data administration analyst
- 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.
Normally, your work permit will be valid for the duration of your work contract (up to 3 years). Extensions are possible.
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
- a specialized knowledge worker, or
- a management trainee on professional development
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 work permit will be valid for 3-5 years depending on your role:
- 3 years for a specialized knowledge worker and management trainee on professional development
- 5 years for 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 or a management trainee on professional development
- 7 years for a manager or executive
A trader or investor either
- plans to carry on substantial trade in goods or services between Canada and Korea or
- seeks to establish, develop, or administer an investment with substantial capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation
As a trader/investor, you’ll typically be
- a supervisor
- an executive
- have essential skills for the project
As a trader/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. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
If your spouse or common-law partner comes with you to Canada, they can apply for an open work permit (OWP). This will allow them to work for almost any employer in Canada. Their OWP will usually expire at the same time as your work permit does.
Their OWP will usually be as long as your work permit.
Spouses and partners of business visitor cannot receive an OWP.
More information on the Canada-Korea FTA
For more details, see the official instructions used by immigration officers.
CUSMA makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada, the United States of America and Mexico 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 of the United States of America and Mexico are eligible to enter Canada under this agreement.
Types of business persons covered:
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
- manufacturing and production
- marketing
- sales
- distribution
- after sales service
- general service including commercial transactions, public relations and advertising, tourism, and translation
As a business visitor, you don’t need a work permit.You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
If you’re a professional, you need to have
- a pre-arranged contract when you enter Canada (you can’t enter to look for work)
- the appropriate
- education
- licensing and
- certification for your job.
- 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 institution)
- scientific technician or technologist
- social worker
- sylviculturist (including forestry specialist)
- technical publications writer
- urban planner (including geographer)
- vocational counsellor
- dentist
- dietitian
- medical laboratory technologist
- nutritionist
- occupational therapist
- pharmacist
- physician (teaching or research only)
- physiotherapist/physical therapist
- psychologist
- recreational therapist
- registered nurse
- veterinarian
- agriculturist (including agronomist)
- animal breeder
- animal scientist
- apiculturist
- astronomer
- biochemist
- biologist (including plant pathologist)
- chemist
- dairy scientist
- entomologist
- epidemiologist
- geneticist
- geologist
- geochemist
- geophysicist
- horticulturist
- meteorologist
- pharmacologist
- physicist (including oceanographer)
- plant breeder
- poultry scientist
- soil scientist
- zoologist
- instructors at
- colleges
- seminaries
- universities
- 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 also need to work in 1 of the skilled occupations below.
As a CUSMA professional, you need a work permit.
Your employer will need to:
Normally, 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).
An intra-company transferee is an American or Mexican citizen who is sent from a company in the U.S., 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:
- a manager
- an executive
- a specialized knowledge worker, or
- a management trainee on professional development
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 work permit will be valid for 3-5 years depending on your role:
- 3 years for a specialized knowledge worker and management trainee on professional development
- 5 years for 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 or a management trainee on professional development
- 7 years for a manager or executive
A trader or investor either
- plans to carry on substantial trade in goods or services between Canada and Korea or
- seeks to establish, develop, or administer an investment with substantial capital, or to provide advice or key technical services to its operation
As a trader/investor, you’ll typically be
- a supervisor
- an executive
- have essential skills for the project
As a trader/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. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
More information on CUSMA
For more details, see the official instructions used by immigration officers.
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 (LMIA) 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 persons covered:
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
- management and supervisory
- financial services
- public relations and advertising
- tourism
- translation/interpretation
As a business visitor, you do not need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
A professional must:
- have a 4 year post-secondary degree in their field of work
- have all the required licensing or certification required to practice
- have pre-arranged work in a job listed below and classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0 and 1 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC)
On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the NOC system. If you’ll apply on or after November 16, 2022, check the NOC 2021 to make sure you are still eligible.
- 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
- database analyst and data administrator
- information and communication technology professional
- information systems analyst
- software developer
- web designer and developer
- computer programmer
- interactive media developer
- 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.
Normally, 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 used by immigration officers.
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 (LMIA) 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 persons covered:
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 do not need a work permit. You can stay for up to 6 months at a time.
A professional is someone who provides contractual services, as either
- an independent professional or
- an employee of a foreign company
You must also
- have a post-secondary degree of at least 4 years in your field of work
- have the appropriate licensing or certification needed for your job
- have a pre-contractual relationship when you enter Canada (you cannot 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
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 up to 1 year, with extensions possible.
Excluded occupations
If you work in 1 of the jobs below, you can’t come to Canada under this FTA.
- health care and community service managers
- physicians
- dentists
- optometrists
- chiropractors
- pharmacists
- dietitians
- nutritionists
- therapists
- psychologists and social workers
- nurse supervisors and registered nurses
- other health professions
- education managers
- university professors & assistants
- college & other vocational instructors
- elementary/secondary school teachers & counsellors
- managers in:
- libraries
- archives
- museums
- art galleries
- publishing
- motion pictures
- broadcasting
- performing arts
- creative & performing artists
- recreation, sports and fitness program service directors
- managers in:
- telecommunications
- postal and courier services
- manufacturing
- utilities
- construction
- transportation
- judges, lawyers and notaries (except for foreign legal consultants)
More information on the Canada-Panama FTA
For more details, see the official instructions used by immigration officers.
A technician is someone who provides contractual services, as either an independent profession or an employee of a foreign company.
You must also
- 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-contractual relationship when you enter Canada (you cannot enter to look for work)
- work in an eligible occupation that is classified under TEER 2 and TEER 3 of the NOC
Trades
- plumbers
- oil/gas well
- drillers
- servicers
- testers
- engineering technologists and technicians, including
- civil
- mechanical
- industrial ]
- electrical/electronics (includes electronic service technicians)
- engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
- construction inspectors and estimators
- electricians (includes industrial electricians)
- industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
- underground production and development miners
Other occupations
- graphic designers and illustrators
- interior designers
- chefs
- computer and information system technicians
- international purchasing and selling agents
Supervisors in these occupations:
- machinists and related technicians
- printing and related occupations
- mining and quarrying
- oil/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
Contractors and supervisors in
- electrical trades and telecommunications
- pipefitting trades
- metal forming, shaping and erecting trades
- carpentry trades
- mechanic trades
- heavy construction equipment crews
- other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
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.
Normally, your work permit will be valid for up to 1 year, with extensions possible.
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
- a specialized knowledge worker, or
- a trainee on professional development
You must also have been employed continuously by your company for at least 6 months 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 work permit will be valid for up to 3 years, with extensions possible.
To qualify as a trader or investor, you must be:
- a supervisor
- an executive or
- someone with essential skills for the project
You must plan on
- trading goods or services between Canada and Peru
- establishing, developing or administering an investment with substantial capital
As a trader/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. 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 used by immigration officers.
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:
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
The CUKTCA makes it easier for certain types of skilled business people to enter Canada and the United Kingdom 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 of the United Kingdom are eligible.
Types of business persons covered:
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 and interpretation
- investment (like setting up an enterprise)
As a business visitor, you do not need a work permit. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 6-month period.
To qualify as an investor, you must be:
- a supervisor or
- an executive
and
- the primary investor or
- 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.
Normally, your work permit will be valid for 1 year. You can apply to extend your work permit for up to 2 years.
The CUKTCA covers 2 types of professionals:
- contractual service suppliers
- independent professionals
If you’re coming as either kind 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 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 when 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
- supply a service to a Canadian consumer on a short-term basis
- have at least 6 years of professional experience in the relevant sector when 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.
The CUKTCA 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 certification professional 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 3 years of professional experience in the relevant sector when applying
- supply your service on a short-term basis
- not receive payment for any other services or from any other sources while in Canada
As an 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.
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:
- have worked on an ongoing basis for at least 1 year for the same or a related employer in the UK
- be transferred to Canada to work short term for the same or a related employer
- work as an executive, 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.
If you’re a specialist or senior personnel, 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 18 months).
If you’re a graduate trainee, your work permit will be valid for the duration of your work contract (up to 1 year) with no extensions possible.
Spouses
As 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 used by immigration officers.