USMC (NAFTA) Work Permit

Under the NAFTA, American and Mexican citizens may be eligible for Facilitate processing when applying for a Temporary work permit in Canada.

Work permits under the provisions of NAFTA do not usually require a LMIA.

Although LMIA-exempt, workers, and employers who use the NAFTA program must comply with all provisions governing temporary work in Canada.

Because American and Mexican citizens do not require a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada, applications for a NAFTA work permit may be done at a port of entry, or at a visa office, either online or by paper.

There are various categories of temporary work covered under NAFTA:

NAFTA Professionals

The NAFTA Professionals provision provides the opportunity for professional workers to apply for a Canadian work permit without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). In order to be eligible under this provision, the worker must have work experience in one of the NAFTA Professionals List of Occupations and have an offer of employment to practice the profession with an employer in Canada.

NAFTA Intra-Company Transfers

Under NAFTA, in some circumstances, a citizen of the United States or Mexico may transfer from within their enterprise to an enterprise located in Canada. In transferring to the Canadian enterprise, the employee will be exempt from needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), though they will be required to apply for a Canadian work permit. In order to qualify for this program, both the employee and the enterprise must meet certain requirements.

NAFTA Investors

Under NAFTA, some American and Mexican investors are eligible to apply for a Canadian work permit without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). In order to qualify for this LMIA-exemption, an investor must have committed, or is intending to commit, to investing a substantial amount of capital in Canada. As well, the investor’s enterprise must be American or Mexican in terms of nationality.

NAFTA Traders

Under NAFTA, some American and Mexican traders are eligible to apply for a Canadian work permit without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). In order to qualify for this LMIA-exemption, a trader must demonstrate their involvement in the substantial trading of goods or services principally carried out between the United States or Mexico, and Canada. As well, the investor’s enterprise must be American or Mexican in terms of nationality.

NAFTA Business Visitors

Under NAFTA, some American and Mexican businesspeople are eligible to enter Canada to temporarily engage in international business activities without requiring a Canadian work permit nor a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). In order to be eligible as a business visitor, a person must be carrying out business activities which are international in scope. The business visitor must maintain that their primary source of remuneration and principal place of business is outside of Canada. The business visitor cannot have any intention to enter the Canadian labour market.

If you need more information about this program, please do not hesitate to get in touch today at info@dhunnaimmigration.ca