Free Trade Agreements
USMCA, CETA, and other trade-based LMIA-exempt pathways
Canada grants LMIA-exempt work permits under several international trade agreements. The two we encounter most often in business immigration are USMCA (Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement) for eligible U.S. and Mexican nationals—covering professionals in listed occupations and investors directing substantial investment—and CETA (EU–Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) for eligible EU nationals, including professionals, intra-company transferees, investors, and certain service suppliers. Those frameworks are only part of the landscape; other agreements and exemptions may apply depending on citizenship, corporate structure, and role.
USMCA Professionals must work in an agreed occupation and meet credential rules; USMCA Investors must develop, direct, or administer qualifying investment. Under CETA, EU citizens must fit a covered business category—such as contractual or independent professionals, transferees with required EU employment history, investors, or trainees—and satisfy temporary, compliance, and documentation requirements. Cohen Visa maps clients to the correct agreement and stream, prepares employer and applicant evidence, and supports long-term immigration planning beyond the initial permit.
Whether you are scaling across North America or between Canada and Europe, we help you understand which free trade rules apply, what alternatives exist if an FTA category is not a fit, and how to keep filings aligned with IRCC and employer obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
USMCA, CETA, and broader trade-based work permits
No. Canada is party to a number of international agreements that can support LMIA-exempt or streamlined work permit categories depending on nationality, role, and program rules. USMCA (Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement) and CETA (Canada–EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) are among the most frequently used for business mobility, but other agreements and exemptions may apply in specific situations. Cohen Visa helps identify which framework fits your facts and prepares applications under the correct category.
Eligible United States and Mexican nationals may qualify for USMCA work permits. USMCA Professionals must work in an occupation listed under the agreement and meet the specific education and credential requirements for that role. USMCA Investors must be seeking entry to develop, direct, or administer a substantial investment in a Canadian business in which they have committed or are actively in the process of committing capital. Applicants must demonstrate U.S. or Mexican citizenship, compliance with role-specific criteria, and that their work in Canada is temporary in nature.
No. USMCA Investors and Professionals work permits are LMIA-exempt under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. This category is designed to facilitate cross-border trade and investment by enabling qualified professionals and investors to engage in business activities that contribute to the Canadian economy.
USMCA Professionals must work in an occupation listed under the agreement and meet the specific education and credential requirements for that role. USMCA Investors must be seeking entry to develop, direct, or administer a substantial investment in a Canadian business in which they have committed or are actively in the process of committing capital.
USMCA Professionals must work in an occupation listed under the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement. Each occupation has specific education and credential requirements. Cohen Visa advises on occupation classifications and eligibility to support efficient USMCA applications.
Required documents typically include proof of U.S. or Mexican citizenship, evidence of qualifying occupation or investment, job offer or business documentation, and various application forms. Cohen Visa advises on documentation to support efficient USMCA Investor and Professional applications.
Applicants must be citizens of an EU member state and meet the criteria for one of the covered business categories set out in the agreement. These include professionals (such as contractual service suppliers and independent professionals with the required qualifications and experience), intra-company transferees with at least one year of employment with the EU enterprise, investors responsible for establishing or developing an enterprise without receiving remuneration from a Canadian source, and graduate trainees or specialized knowledge workers temporarily transferred to Canada. All work must be temporary in nature and comply with the specific experience, investment, or contractual requirements of the applicable sub-category.
No. CETA work permits are LMIA-exempt under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, provided specific criteria of the agreement are met. This pathway facilitates temporary entry for professionals, intra-company transferees, investors, and certain service suppliers, supporting bilateral economic engagement between Canada and CETA partner countries.
CETA covers professionals (contractual service suppliers and independent professionals), intra-company transferees with at least one year of employment with the EU enterprise, investors establishing or developing an enterprise, graduate trainees, and specialized knowledge workers. Certain short-term business activities—such as commercial negotiations by managers, public relations, translation services, and information technology consultations—are also recognized under CETA.
Intra-company transferees under CETA must have at least one year of employment with the EU enterprise and be temporarily transferred to Canada. They must meet the specific criteria set out in the agreement for their category.
Required documents typically include proof of EU citizenship, evidence of qualifying business category (professional credentials, employment history, investment documentation, or contractual arrangements), and various application forms. Cohen Visa advises on documentation and employer compliance to support efficient CETA work permit applications.
Many categories allow spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children to accompany the principal applicant, subject to program rules and the application you file. Cohen Visa can assess your situation and outline family options alongside the principal work permit.