In Canada, in order to get a work permit, you normally need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), unless you have an exemption. Using free-trade agreements is a way to get a work permit agreement in Canada without an LMIA.
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free-trade agreement that can be used to get a work permit in Canada.
This article will discuss the work permits available via the CPTTP.
Which countries are covered by the CPTTP?
- Canada
- Australia
- Japan
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Peru
- Malaysia
- Chile
- Brunei
What types of permits are available under the CPTTP?
- Business visitors
- Investors
- Intracompany transfers
- Professionals and technicians
Business visitors under the CPTTP:
Where can I apply for a business visitor visa under the CPTTP?
Place of application: Port of Entry
What activities can I do as a business visitor in Canada under CPTTP?
Permitted activities: participating in business activities of a commercial nature
Do I need a visa before traveling as a business visitor to Canada under the CPTTP?
Visa required prior to travel: temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization (depending on country of origin) is required prior to travel.
What type of visa will my spouse get if I am a business visitor in Canada under the CPTTP?
Spouse: must apply for own status in Canada
CPTTP Work Permits:
Where can I apply for a CPTTP work permit?
Place of application: if visa exempt, may apply at port of entry, otherwise, must apply to an IRCC office abroad or from within Canada (if eligible).
What type of work permit is available for spouses of CPTTP work permit holders?
Spouse: may be eligible for open work authorization for the same length of stay and extensions as principal applicant.
How long are initial CPTTP work permits issued for?
Initial permit length: 1 year
Work Permits for Professionals - CPTTP:
A great thing about the CTTP work permits for professionals is that the list of occupations that qualify is very broad. Instead of listing occupations that are eligible, this agreement lists occupations that are excluded. Thus, it is very open, and many occupations qualify for CPTTP work permits.
Requirements for professional work permits CPTTP:
- Must have an offer of employment in an occupation requiring a theoretical and practical application.
- Must be a Training, Education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) 0 or 1 occupation.
- Have a post secondary degree of 4 or more years, and any additional educational requirements as per TEER description. Exception: Australia, 3 years bachelor’s degree.
- Remuneration must be at a level commensurate with similarly qualified professionals in the region where the work is performed.
- If applicable, must have provincial/ federal certificates/ licenses
Excluded occupations:
- Health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
- Judges and notaries
- Managers in postal and courier services
- Managers of telecommunications carriers
- Occupations related to cultural industries
- Recreation, sports and fitness programs and service directors
Work Permits for Technicians - CPTTP:
Requirements:
- Must have an offer of employment in an occupation requiring a theoretical and practical application.
- Must be a Training, Education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) 2 or 3 occupation.
- Have a post secondary degree or technical degree of 2 or more years, and any additional educational requirements as per TEER description.
- Have 4 years of paid work experience in the sector of activity of the contract.
- Remuneration must be at a level commensurate with similarly qualified technicians in the region where the work is performed.
- If applicable, must have provincial/ federal certificates/ licenses
Permitted occupations:
- aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
- architectural technologists and technicians
- civil engineering technologists and technicians
- computer and information systems technicians (occupations include elements of TEER 1/ NOC A)
- construction inspectors and estimators
- drafting technologists and technicians
- electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- electricians
- engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
- graphic designers and illustrators
- industrial designers
- industrial engineering technologists and technicians
- industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- interior designers
- international purchasing and selling agents
- land survey technologists and technicians
- mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- oil and gas well drillers, servicers and testers
- plumbers
- technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
- supervisors in the following areas:
- food, beverage and tobacco processing fields
- forest products processing field
- machinists and related occupations
- mineral and metal processing
- mining and quarrying
- oil and gas drilling and service
- petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
- plastic and rubber products manufacturing
- printing and related occupations
- textile processing
CPTTP Investor visa:
The investor visa is for use of people that want to start a business in Canada and work within that business. The purpose is to establish, develop or administer an investment to which a substantial amount of capital was committed or is in the process of being committed.
Place of application: must apply at IRCC office abroad prior to arrival in Canada
Qualifying countries:
- Australia (includes citizens and permanent residents)
- Brunei
- Chile
- Japan
- Mexico
- Peru
- Vietnam
Qualifying Occupations:
- Must be in a supervisory or executive role or a role that involves essential skills. For example, setting up a specific franchise or a laboratory
How can we help?
To explore your CPTTP work permit options for your job or your business, please book a strategy session with us to get started.