NAFTA Work Permits
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a trilateral trade agreement negotiated between Canada, the United States, and Mexico in 1994. NAFTA offers unique opportunities for Americans and Mexicans to work in Canada. Foreign nationals covered by NAFTA provisions may be eligibile to work in Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or, in certain cases, a work permit. A person needs to be a citizen of Canada, the United States, or Mexico in order to be eligible for LMIA or work permit exemptions. Permanent residents of these countries are not eligible for NAFTAs temporary resident benefits.
Following Five programs exist under the North American Free Trade Agreement that may be met by an American or Mexican with a facilitated work permit in Canada:
NAFTA Professionals
The NAFTA Professionals provision allows professional workers to apply for a Canadian work permit without undergoing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An eligible worker for this provision must have experience in one of the NAFTA Professionals List of Occupations and have an offer of employment to practice the profession with an employer in Canada. Individuals who wish to perform self-employed work in Canada are not eligible for this category. Read More ...
To qualify for the LMIA-exemption under the NAFTA Professionals provision, a person must be either a citizen of the United States or Mexico.
Professionals employed under NAFTA may hold a work permit for a maximum of three years. There is no limit how many extensions are granted.
Fill our free online assessment form today to know your eligibility.
Fill Assessment NowNAFTA Intra-Company Transfers
Through NAFTA Intra-Company Transfers, US or Mexican employers can transfer employees to Canada temporarily in order to work in a branch, subsidiary or affiliate. Transferring to the Canadian company will not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), although the employee will still need a Canadian work permit. A candidate must also have been employed by their US or Mexican employer continuously for at least one of the last three years in a comparable position to that of the Canadian position, and must currently be employed by the company at the time of application. Read More ...
To qualify for the LMIA-exemption under the NAFTA Intra-Company provision, a person must be either a citizen of the United States or Mexico.
If you’re successful with your application you may be eligible for a NAFTA work permit valid for up to three years. Intra-company transferees may apply for extensions of up to two years.
Fill our free online assessment form today to know your eligibility.
Fill Assessment NowNAFTA Investors
Under NAFTA, some American and Mexican investors are eligible to apply for a Canadian work permit without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Investors must demonstrate that they have invested substantial funds into a new or existing Canadian business, and that they are seeking entry to Canada to build and direct the business. Work permits in the NAFTA Investor category may also be granted to employees of the primary Investor who can be considered essential staff. Read More ...
To qualify for the LMIA-exemption under the NAFTA Investors provision, an investor must be either a citizen of the United States or Mexico.
Work permits for NAFTA investors may be issued for a maximum duration of one year. Investors may apply for extensions of up to two years.
Fill our free online assessment form today to know your eligibility.
NAFTA Traders
Under NAFTA, some American and Mexican Traders are eligible to apply for a Canadian work permit without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). As a NAFTA Trader, you must demonstrate your intention to carry on substantial trade between Canada and your country of citizenship, whether it is Mexico or the United States. “Substantial trade” is when more than 50 percent of the trade is done between Canada and one of these countries, based on either the volume or the value traded. In addition, there must already be an existing trade relationship between the foreign company and Canada, and the Trader cannot enter into a trading relationship with the purpose of establishing clients or contracts. Read More ...
To qualify for the LMIA-exemption under the NAFTA Traders provision, a trader must be either a citizen of the United States or Mexico.
Work permits for NAFTA Traders may be issued for a maximum duration of one year. Traders may apply for extensions of up to two years.
Fill our free online assessment form today to know your eligibility.
Fill Assessment NowNAFTA Business Visitors
Under NAFTA, some American and Mexican Businesspeople are eligible to enter Canada to temporarily engage in international business activities without requiring a Canadian work permit or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It is mandatory that a person be engaged in an international business activity in order to qualify as a business visitor. The business visitor must also maintain an overseas primary source of remuneration and place of business. The NAFTA business visitor stream is not available for people intending to enter the Canadian labour market. The NAFTA business visitor stream is only available for short-term stays. Read More ...
To qualify for the LMIA-exemption under the NAFTA Business Visit provision, a business person must be either a citizen of the United States or Mexico.
Due to the nature of activities authorizing entry as a NAFTA business visitor, entry granted to Canada is only authorized for short-term periods, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Fill our free online assessment form today to know your eligibility.
Fill Assessment NowHow to Apply?
Depending on conditions, a stay may be restricted to a particular length of time. Citizens of certain countries might also have to provide biometric information in order to confirm identity, to review past criminal histories, or to resolve previous challenges with Canadian immigration.
Our team of highly skilled in-house Canadian visa consultants is composed of CICC members and Immigration lawyers who can help you with all your Canadian Immigration needs.
Do you want to know if you qualify for International Experience in Canada?
Fill Free Assessment to find outOur Best Consultants
Documents Required
Canada Visa documentation is a significant part of the application process. Below are some examples of the documents that may be required to apply for a visa. Documents below do not represent a complete list of all documents required and are subject to change. Nonetheless, they are a provisional set of documents which are predicted to be required when applying for a Canada Visa.
