Temporary Entry for Workers
Under USMCA, business people who are citizens of the US or Mexico may enter Canada temporarily for activities involving the trade of goods or services, or investment. It removes the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for all those covered, and eases the entire entry process.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a trade deal between Canada, the US, and Mexico that was implemented in 1994 but was re-written and named in 2018. NAFTA seeks to eliminate trade barriers between the three countries, such as tariffs on goods, with the goal of encouraging economic integration among them and economic prosperity. In November 2018, Canada, Mexico and the USA signed on a new policy called the USMCA to replace the previous NAFTA.
Basic Requirements
What Types of Business People May Enter Under USMCA?
Four categories of business individuals are included under this agreement. Those categories include:
Out of these categories, business visitors are the only group exempt from requiring a work permit to carry out their activities in Canada. Professionals, intra-company transferees, and traders and investors must obtain work permits. However, CUSMA speeds up the application process, as individuals can apply at the port of entry. All those included are exempt from the LMIA. Please note that nationals requiring a temporary resident permit to enter Canada should apply for a work permit prior to entry, not at the port of entry.
Admissibility
While citizens of the United States or Mexico may be eligible under one of the four categories, the possibility that an individual may not be admitted easily still exists. Those deemed ineligible under the CUSMA agreement, however, still may be eligible to enter as a temporary worker and apply for a Canadian work permit. Hiring an immigration lawyer may be helpful to any business person with the prospect of working temporarily in Canada. We have helped many clients successfully enter Canada, and though a visa approval is never guaranteed, we are confident that our experience and success rate will allow us to increase your chances of having a positive outcome.