Work Permits
Work In Canada
Canada’s free trade agreements allow qualified professionals from eligible countries to obtain work permits without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). We assess your profile and identify which agreement applies to your case.
Agreements we handle
CUSMA: Canada-United States-Mexico
Agreement
CUSMA (formerly NAFTA, now USMCA) is the free trade agreement between Canada, the United
States, and Mexico that allows qualified professionals to work in any of the three countries
WITHOUT a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It is one of the fastest and most powerful
pathways for Mexican and American professionals to work legally in Canada.
Who Can Apply
Mexican or American citizens: practicing a profession listed in the treaty’s Schedule
Professionals with a job offer: from a Canadian employer in their area of specialization
Covered categories: Professionals | Intra-company transfers | Traders and investors | Business visitors | LMIA-exempt
Types of permit under CUSMA
TN (Trade National): for U.S. citizens — processed at port of entry, nearly immediate
CUSMA work permit for Mexicans: application at a Canadian consulate or embassy; no LMIA required
Renewable: as long as the employment contract is valid; no renewal limits in many cases
Duration
Professionals: up to 3 years, renewable indefinitely
ICT Executives & Managers: up to 7 years
ICT Specialized Knowledge: up to 5 years
Spouse can simultaneously apply for an Open Work Permit (SOWP)
Mexican or American professional?
Let’s work to build your CUSMA strategy together
CPTPP: Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for
Trans-Pacific Partnership
Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei
Facilitates temporary entry for professionals and skilled workers between signatory countries. Eligible occupations and conditions vary by country of origin.
Think You Qualify?
Let’s work to build your CPTPP strategy together
Who Can Apply
Applies to: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Facilitates intra-company transfers and professional entry in specific categories without LMIA.
Covered categories: Professionals | Intra-company transfers | Service suppliers | LMIA-exempt (by category)
FMP: Francophone Mobility Program
Allows French-speaking foreign nationals of any country to obtain an LMIA-exempt work permit to work outside Quebec. French proficiency at NCLC 5 (speaking and listening) and a valid job offer in TEER 0–3 occupations are required.
Think You Qualify?
Let’s work to build your FMP strategy together
How does it work?
Applies to: French-speaking workers of any nationality
Duration: Length of the job offer or passport expiry, whichever comes first.
Renewable while employment continues and requirements are met
Categories: Any country of origin · TEER 0–3 · LMIA-exempt · Spouse open work permit · Outside Quebec only
How does it work?
Applies to: Citizens of the 27 EU member states
ICT Senior personnel: up to 3 years
Categories: ICT · Service suppliers · Senior personnel · LMIA-exempt
CETA: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
Enables temporary entry for European professionals. The permit is issued for 24 months; authorized work is limited to 12 months.
Think You Qualify?
Let’s work to build your CETA strategy together
Global Talent Stream (GTS)
For Canadian employers seeking to hire highly skilled foreign talent on an expedited basis. GTS processes the LMIA in approximately two weeks with no prior job advertisement required. Work permits are generally issued for the duration of the employment offer. We handle both Category A (referred) and Category B (in-demand occupations).
Interested?
Let’s work to build your agreement strategy together
Our approach
We identify which agreement applies to your profile, prepare the complete file, and support you from the initial assessment through to work permit approval. Personalized representation at every stage of the IRCC process.
How does it work?
Applies to: United Kingdom, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Panama, South Korea, and others.
Duration: Chile / Colombia / Peru / Korea: up to 1 year, renewable
Duration: Panama: up to 3 years
Duration: GATS: up to 90 days
Categories: Based on profile & nationality | LMIA exemption possible.
CUKTCA, GATS & other bilateral agreements
Canada maintains additional agreements that may facilitate work permits for various nationalities. We assess whether your country has an active agreement with Canada.
Think You Qualify?
Let’s work to build your agreement strategy together