Work permits given to foreign nationals in Canada fall into two categories: those requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and those that do not.
An LMIA is a document that some Canadian employers must obtain from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) before hiring a temporary foreign worker (TFW). This document proves that hiring a TFW will have a positive or neutral impact on the Canadian labour market.
Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with Skynet Immigration
Thanks to various international agreements, some employers can hire TFWs from certain countries without needing an LMIA.
Occupation: Traders
Canadian employers can hire foreign nationals who work as traders without an LMIA if the TFW is from any of the following countries:
- United States
- Mexico
- Colombia
- Chile
- South Korea
- Peru
This is possible due to agreements like the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Who Qualifies as a Trader?
A trader is someone engaged in substantial trade of goods or services between Canada and their country of citizenship.
Occupation: Investors
TFWs who are investors from the following countries can be hired without an LMIA:
- United States
- Mexico
- Colombia
- Chile
- South Korea
- Peru
- European Union (under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA))
- United Kingdom
- Some Trans-Pacific countries (under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP))
Who Qualifies as an Investor?
An investor is generally defined as someone who has substantially invested in a Canadian business and is coming to Canada to develop and direct this business.
Occupation: Professionals
TFWs from the following countries can be hired without an LMIA if they qualify as professionals:
- United States
- Mexico
- Colombia
- Chile
- Panama
- Peru
- GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) Member Nations
- Some Trans-Pacific countries (under CPTPP)
Who Qualifies as a Professional?
A professional, as defined by CUSMA, is someone with pre-arranged employment in Canada or a service contract with a Canadian company in an occupation corresponding to their professional qualifications.
Intra-Company Transfers (ICTs)
ICTs are employees of foreign companies being transferred to work temporarily in Canada for a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of their employer. Although open to all countries, certain FTAs contain country-specific ICT provisions:
Executives or Senior Managers:
- United Kingdom
- CPTPP Member Nations
- CETA Member Nations
- Peru
- South Korea
- Chile
- Colombia
- United States
- Mexico
Specialized Knowledge:
- United Kingdom
- CPTPP Member Nations
- CETA Member Nations
- Peru
- South Korea
- Chile
- Colombia
- United States
- Mexico
Management Trainees:
- United Kingdom
- CPTPP Member Nations
- Peru
- South Korea
- Colombia
Graduate Trainees:
- CETA Member Nations
Other Foreign Nationals Eligible for Work in Canada Without an LMIA
Certain international agreements allow Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals from specific countries without an LMIA based on unique work situations, relationships, or other criteria.
By Occupation:
- Airline Personnel: Operational, technical, and ground staff
- Government Personnel: From the United States
- Technicians: From Colombia, Panama, Peru, and CPTPP Member Nations
By Relationship Status:
- Spouses: From Colombia, South Korea, CPTPP Member Nations, European Union (CETA), and United Kingdom (for spouses of ICTs)
By Country/Agreement:
- South Korea: Contract service suppliers or independent professionals
- European Union (CETA): Contractual service suppliers, engineering technologists, scientific technologists, and independent professionals
- United Kingdom: Independent professionals, contractual service suppliers, engineering technologists, and scientific technologists
Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with Skynet Immigration
For personalized advice and expert guidance on your Canadian work permit application, contact Skynet Immigration today. Our experienced team, led by RCIC Salekur Rahman, is here to support you every step of the way.
