LMIA-exempt work permits in Canada through free trade agreements (FTAs)

Citizens of the countries below can apply for a Canadian work permit without an LMIA, under free trade agreements such as CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP, CCFTA and CCoFTA.

✈️ CUSMA (Canada–United States–Mexico)

The CUSMA "Professionals" category offers an LMIA exemption for 63 qualified occupations, with a work permit valid for up to 3 years, renewable.

🧠 Eligible occupations (a sample — see the full list in the USMCA Appendix)

• 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
• Dentists, Pharmacists, Physicians (for research/teaching), and others

Requirements: US or Mexican citizenship, a university degree or certificate, and a confirmed job offer or service contract.

Beyond the "Professionals" category, CUSMA also allows:

• Intra-company transferees (executives, managers, specialised knowledge): up to 5 years
• Investors/traders: with substantial trade or investment — valid for up to 1 year

🌍 CETA (Canada–European Union)

Available to citizens of the 27 EU countries, across 4 categories:

• Professionals (contractual or self-employed): require a higher education degree and professional certification; a 24-month visa allowing up to 12 months of work
• Intra-company transferees: up to 3 years (executives/specialists) and 1 year (trainees), with at least one year of prior employment
• Investors: executives or specialists with a substantial investment — 24-month visa
• Technologists: engineering or science technologists with technical training and 1 year of experience; 24-month visa allowing 12 months of work

🌏 CPTPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership)

Valid for citizens (and some permanent residents) of: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Categories:

• Professionals: higher education degree + 2 years of experience — visa valid up to 1 year
• Intra-company transferees: management or specialists with at least 1 year of employment; stay of up to 3 years
• Investors: with a substantial investment — visa valid up to 1 year
• Technicians: technical training (2 years) + 4 years of experience; visa valid up to 1 year

Example occupations for Australia and Japan: technicians in construction, engineering and inspection, designers, IT technicians, and similar roles.

🇨🇱 CCFTA (Canada–Chile) & 🇨🇴 CCoFTA (Canada–Colombia)

Both offer similar categories:

• Professionals: with a university degree in a qualified occupation (such as TEER 0/1 or specified roles) — up to 1 year (Colombia) or 3 years (Chile)
• Intra-company transferees: 1 year of prior employment, valid for up to 5 years (Chile) or 3 years (Colombia)
• Investors/Traders: trading activity or significant investment — up to 1 year
• Technicians (Colombia only): technical qualification + a TEER 2/3 occupation — visa valid up to 1 year

Free trade agreements open real opportunities for citizens of partner countries:

These LMIA-exempt routes are faster, cheaper and less bureaucratic than an ordinary work permit.

📌 Need help?

At Turas Immigration, we offer:

• A personalised eligibility assessment
• Guidance on choosing the right category
• Support preparing your documents and your application

Get in touch to find out whether your country and your profession already open the door to working in Canada — more efficiently, and with less risk.