North Americian Free Trade Agreement NAFTA Work Permit

The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement between Canada, The United States of American and Mexico. This agreement is a free trade agreement that is designed to increase trade among these great nations. As such, it also has implications with respect to immigration and travel between these countries. If you are a citizen of the United States or Mexico, depending on your intended purpose in Canada, you may be exempt from requiring a Labour Market Opinion to obtain a work permit.

Qualifying for a NAFTA Work Permit

Typically, if you wish to work in Canada and enter the Canadian labour market, you will first require a Labour Marker Opinion in order to obtain your work permit. However, if you are a:

Professional;
Intra Company Transferee;
Trader; or
Investor

You may be considered exempt from this requirement and can even obtain a work permit at a port of entry.

What is the NAFTA?

The NAFTA is a broad agreement that encompasses more than just trade and travel; there are other provisions as well that have an impact on Canadian Immigration.

NAFTA facilitates temporary entry for business people who are citizens of the U.S. and Mexico who are involved in the trade of goods/services or investment activities
NAFTA removes the need for a Labour Market Opinion for all business people who are covered under the agreement
In the case of business visitors, NAFTA removes the need for a work permit
For some professionals and intra-company transferees, the application process is expedited due to the fact that the application can be processed at a port of entry

NAFTA Professionals List

NAFTA Professional Work Permits can be issued for the following professions:

General

Accountant
Architect
Computer Systems Analyst
Disaster relief Insurance Claims Adjuster
Economist
Engineer
Forester
Graphic Designer
Hotel Manager
Industrial Designer
Interior Designer
Land Surveyor
Landscape Architect
Lawyer (including Notary in the Province of Quebec)
Librarian
Management Consultant
Mathematician (including Statistician)
Range Manager/ Range Conservationalist
Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution)

Scientific

Technician/Technologist
Social Worker
Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist)
Technical Publications Writer
Urban Planner (including Geographer)
Vocational Counsellor

Medical/Allied Professional

Dentist
Dietitian
Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada)
Medical Technologist (Mexico and the United States)
Nutritionist
Occupational Therapist
Pharmacist
Physician (teaching or research only)
Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist
Psychologist
Recreational Therapist
Registered Nurse
Veterinarian

Scientists

Agriculturist (including Agronomist)
Animal Breeder
Animal Scientist
Apiculturist
Astronomer
Biochemist
Biologist
Chemist
Dairy Scientist
Entomologist
Epidemiologist
Geneticist
Geologist
Geochemist
Geophysicist (including Oceanographer in Mexico and the United States)
Horticulturist
Meteorologist
Pharmacologist
Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada)
Plant Breeder
Poultry Scientist
Soil Scientist
Zoologist

Teachers

College
Seminary
University

What You will Need

Depending on your intended occupation in Canada, you may need to meet certain qualifications.

Professionals:

Have received a job offer from a Canadian Employer;
Demonstrate that you are qualified to perform your intended duties;
Your intended job offer falls on a list of 63 approved Professions

Intra Company Transferees:

Demonstrate proof of relationship with Canadian and Foreign employers;
Have at least one continuous year of employment with foreign company;
Be considered to be employed in an executive, managerial or specialized knowledge occupation within the foreign company;

Traders:

The business in Canada has American or Mexican ownership;
The business in Canada engages in substantial trade in goods or services;
Be considered to be in an occupation classified as executive, managerial or specialized knowledge.

Investors:

You have or are in the process of making a large investment in an business in Canada;
The business in Canada has American or Mexican ownership;
You are an individual investor seeking to enter Canada solely to develop and direct said business in Canada.

How We Can Help

Depending on your intended purpose in Canada, simply qualifying under NAFTA does not guarantee you your status in Canada automatically. You must adequately demonstrate that you meet the above qualifications, which is why it is important that you should apply at a visa office before making an attempt to enter Canada.

These application can be submitted at a Port of Entry, but if not done properly, you could face refusal and the long trip home.

We will assist you:

Draft the necessary forms;
Work with you and your employer to obtain the proper documentation;
Draft appropriate supporting documentation like a contract, employment offer letter, etc. service agreements etc.;
Prepare you for an attempt at the Port of Entry;
Provide you with documents that you will travel with to ease your entry into Canada;
Help demonstrate how you meet the conditions under your NAFTA category;
Compile the strongest possible case as per your unique situation; and
Of course, be with you every step of the way.

For more information on NAFTA Work Permits, feel free to browse our vast collection of information on the subject or contact us directly at 1-877-622-8182 or 416 477 2570. You can also email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

List of articles in category NAFTA Work Permit
Title
NAFTA WORK PERMIT
NAFTA
Professionals under NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement