The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is a bilateral trade pact negotiated between Canada and the European Union (EU), which came into effect on September 21st, 2017. Among its provisions, CETA offers exclusive opportunities for EU citizens to work in Canada. Individuals covered by CETA may qualify to work in Canada without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or even a work permit.
CETA outlines four scenarios in which an EU citizen may be eligible for streamlined access to Canadian work authorization:
Under CETA, business visitors enjoy the privilege of short-term stays in Canada without needing a work permit or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). They are permitted a maximum stay of 90 days within any six-month period. CETA business visitors can make multiple entries to Canada for recurring visits related to specific projects. There are two distinct categories of business visitors under CETA:
Approved activities for CETA short-term business visitors encompass:
It’s important to note that the permissible activities for CETA business visitors differ from those under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Applicants seeking entry to Canada under the CETA business visitor category, exempt from work permit requirements, should adhere to the application procedures outlined for CETA categories.
Within the framework of CETA, employees transferred between enterprises based in EU member states may qualify for a Canadian work permit without undergoing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). To meet the LMIA exemption criteria, intra-company transferees must fulfill the following general requirements:
Beyond the general criteria, intra-company transferees are categorized into three distinct groups, each with its specific prerequisites:
Individuals seeking a CETA work permit, exempt from the LMIA requirement, can follow the application procedures outlined for CETA permits.
Within the framework of CETA, investors hailing from EU member states may qualify for a Canadian work permit without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). To meet the CETA eligibility criteria for investors, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
Investors will be evaluated based on the investor criteria outlined in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Those approved under CETA may receive LMIA-exempt work permits valid for up to one year, with potential extensions subject to the discretion of a visa officer. Individuals interested in applying for a CETA work permit, free from LMIA requirements, can follow the application procedures designated for CETA permits.
Within the scope of CETA, specific contractual service suppliers and independent professionals who hold citizenship in EU member states may qualify for a Canadian work permit without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). To meet the LMIA exemption criteria, contractual service suppliers and independent professionals must adhere to the following general requirements (alongside specific criteria outlined below):
In addition to the general criteria, contractual service suppliers and independent professionals must satisfy further specifications:
Individuals interested in applying for a CETA work permit, exempt from LMIA requirements, can follow the application procedures outlined for CETA permits.
Foreign nationals covered by CETA, eligible to apply for an LMIA-exempt work permit or to enter Canada without a work permit (such as short-term business visitors), can apply at a Canadian Port of Entry (POE). Alternatively, they can submit work permit applications before travel to the appropriate Visa Application Centre (VAC). EU nationals already in Canada as authorized temporary residents may also be able to apply for work permits from within the country.
Work permits granted under CETA are subject to extension at the discretion of immigration officers. Intra-company transferees may receive extensions for up to a maximum of 18 months, while graduate trainees are not eligible for extensions.
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