North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Work Permits
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), citizens of the United States and Mexico may be eligible for expedited processing when applying for a temporary work permit in Canada. NAFTA work permits typically do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). However, despite being LMIA-exempt, workers and employers participating in the NAFTA program must still comply with all regulations governing temporary work in Canada.
U.S. citizens do not need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, while Mexican citizens do.
NAFTA Job Categories:
Three job categories fall under the NAFTA work permit:
- NAFTA professionals
- NAFTA Intra-company transfers
- NAFTA traders and Investors
- NAFTA Professionals
NAFTA Professionals are individuals who qualify to work in one of about 60 designated professions (see below). Depending on the specific profession, applicants may need to provide educational credentials and/or work experience documentation. To qualify, NAFTA Professionals must have pre-arranged employment in Canada in a role that matches their qualifications. Self-employment is not eligible under this category.
- NAFTA Intra-Company Transfers
NAFTA Intra-Company Transferees are employees temporarily transferred to a Canadian branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of their U.S. or Mexican employer. To be eligible, the employee must have worked continuously for the same employer for at least one of the past three years and must still be employed by the company at the time of application. The transferee must also work in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role. For general information on intra-company transferees, including those covered by NAFTA, click here.
- NAFTA Traders and Investors
A NAFTA Trader must show an intent to engage in substantial trade of goods or services between Canada and their home country (the U.S. or Mexico). A NAFTA Investor must demonstrate that they have made a significant investment in a Canadian business, either new or existing, and are entering Canada to develop and manage the business. Work permits for NAFTA Investors may also be granted to employees of the principal investor who are considered essential to the business.
NAFTA Professional Work Permits can be issued for the following professions:
General | Scientists | Medical/Allied Professionals | Scientific |
Accountant | Agriculturist (including Agronomist) | Dentist | Technician/Technologist |
Architect | Animal Breeder | Dietitian | Social Worker |
Computer Systems Analyst | Animal Scientist | Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada) | Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist) |
Disaster relief Insurance Claims Adjuster | Apiculturist | Medical Technologist (Mexico and the United States) | Technical Publications Writer |
Economist | Astronomer | Nutritionist | Urban Planner (including Geographer) |
Engineer | Biochemist | Occupational Therapist | Vocational Counsellor |
Forester | Biologist | Pharmacist | Teachers |
Graphic Designer | Chemist | Physician (teaching or research only) | College |
Hotel Manager | Dairy Scientist | Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist | Seminary |
Industrial Designer | Entomologist | Psychologist | University |
Interior Designer | Epidemiologist | Recreational Therapist | |
Land Surveyor | Geneticist | Registered Nurse | |
Landscape Architect | Geologist | Veterinarian | |
Lawyer (including Notary in the Province of Quebec) | Geochemist | ||
Librarian | Geophysicist (including Oceanographer in Mexico & US) | ||
Management Consultant | Horticulturist | ||
Mathematician (including Statistician) | Meteorologist | ||
Range Manager/ Range Conservationists | Pharmacologist | ||
Research Assistant (post-secondary educational institution) | Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada) | ||
Plant Breeder | |||
Poultry Scientist | |||
Soil Scientist | |||
Zoologist |
