Over 50 nations have Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with Canada. Trade between Canada and other member states is made easier through partnerships that often involve the movement of temporary workers and business people.
Free trade agreement – Its benefits
Under FTAs, signing countries are granted temporary entry and stay in Canada. Even if they need a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to enter Canada, they will not require one to acquire a work visa. An FTA program that is LMIA-exempt makes obtaining a work permit easier and faster. An LMIA is an internal study conducted by the Canadian government regarding the economic impact of hiring foreign workers.
A chance will be offered to these individuals to find employment and perhaps even obtain permanent residence in Canada. The Canadian work history of individuals applying for permanent residency (PR) can be highlighted in their immigration applications. It is a great way to improve one’s CRS score and experience, both of which IRCC strongly values. CRS is the primary method used to assess candidates in the Express Entry pool.
What FTAs does Canada participate in?
The following are some of the FTAs that Canada has signed:
- CUSMA – (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) previously known as NAFTA, this agreement is signed between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
- CPTPP – (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), Mexico, Australia, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, Vietnam, Peru, New Zealand, and Canada have signed this agreement.
- The European Union’s member nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
- GATS – (General Agreement on Trade in Services), this agreement applies to all World Trade Organizations members.
FTAs with other countries are also available. It may be possible for citizens of these signatory countries to obtain facilitated and expedited work permits under the terms of the particular agreement between their country and Canada.
Ways to apply for a work permit through the Free Trade Agreement
Application procedures for these FTA programs can vary depending on the route taken, but they are often the same as those for temporary work permits. Employers and employees can both apply directly to these programs.
Under certain programs (such as CUSMA), Mexicans and Americans do not need temporary residence visas to enter Canada. Hence, their work permit applications can be processed at the border.
When submitting an application, candidates should specify which program they are interested in. Make sure they have all the necessary paperwork and confirm they qualify for the program.
Which immigration programs are open to employees of FTA programs?
Participants in FTA can apply to a number of PR programs once they have acquired Canadian work experience. A list of these is as follows:
- Programs managed by Express Entry such as FSWP, FSTP, and CEC.
- A Provincial Nominee Program – PNP would be beneficial. By participating in the PNP process, a province can nominate a candidate through the Express Entry pool. Virtually ensuring an ITA and they are able to concurrently apply for PR.
- Applicants must adhere to the specific criteria and processes of the QSWP – (Quebec Skilled Worker Program) or PEQ (Quebec Experience Program).
As part of its economic immigration strategy, the Canadian government has set lofty goals for the future. Canada plans to admit approximately 431,000 new permanent residents via its economic class immigration programs in 2022 alone, to meet market and labor demands.
