What are Free Trade Agreements
A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a bilateral or multilateral agreement between Canada and other participating countries aiming to liberalize trade among those nations.
What is the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement
The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is one of the FTAs that Canada has entered into. It is formerly known as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The purpose of CUSMA is to increase trades among the participating counties, and it covers the following categories of businesspeople:
1. Business visitors,
2. Professionals,
3. Intra-company transferee,
4. Traders and investors.
Citizens of the United States and Mexico who fall under one of the categories may apply for a Canadian work permit by following a simplified procedure.
Apply for a work permit under the CUSMA
The simplified procedure for the work permit is called the International Mobility Program. Employers hiring a temporary foreign worker through the International Mobility Program does not need a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Instead, employers in Canada shall submit an Offer of Employment to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for approval.
When hiring under the CUMSA, the employer shall first obtain an Offer of Employment and then provide it to the temporary foreign worker for their work permit application.
Please note business visitors may also work in Canada without a work permit.
Where you may submit your work permit application
You may submit your application either outside Canada, at the Port of Entry (POE), or inside Canada. We suggest that you apply for a work permit before coming to Canada.
If you apply in Canada, you must have already held a valid work permit.
For business visitors, you can only apply at the POE.
WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU
We have a focus on work permit applications under the CUSMA.
To successfully apply for a work permit, you shall ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements under the CUSMA and carefully address any potential inadmissibility issues.
We personalize our services for you based on the information and circumstances of your application, which may include any of the followings:
1. Help you determine whether you are eligible for a work permit under the CUSMA,
2. If you are not eligible at the time you retain us, we will provide you with advice as to how to meet the eligibility requirements,
3. Help you identify potential inadmissibility issues and address them properly,
4. Help you gather the supporting documents. If the supporting documents are not available, we will provide you with advice as to how to preserve them,
5. Provide other advice and instructions as needed, and
6. Complete, prepare, organize, and submit your application on your behalf.
Book an appointment for an initial assessment today or contact us directly.
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