The NAFTA – (the North American Free Trade Agreement) was replaced with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement – (CUSMA) in 2020 by the Canadian government.
Taking advantage of its proximity to the two countries it shares a continent with, CUSMA strengthens and advances Canada’s economic relations. Applicants from Mexico and the United States are qualified to submit an application for a Canada work permit through CUSMA.
Key information on working in Canada via CUSMA
For work permits obtained through CUSMA, Labor Market Impact Assessments are not usually required.
Any Port of Entry or visa office can process CUSMA work permit applications instantly.
CUSMA categorizes American and Mexican immigrants into the four categories below.
Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement Professionals
In order to work in Canada, Mexico and the United States residents must qualify for one of roughly 60 occupations designated by CUSMA Professionals.
An example of such a job would be:
- Social Workers
- Accountants
- Graphic Designers
- Nutritionists
- Dentists
- Architects
In order to qualify for membership, CUSMA Professionals must hold a pre-arranged position in Canada or be under contract with a Canadian corporation in an occupation that corresponds to their professional skills.
In addition to proof of work experience and educational qualifications, CUSMA work permit applicants under this category may need to provide proof of their chosen occupation.
CUSMA Intra-Company Transfers
Canadian affiliates, branches of US and Mexican companies, and subsidiaries may apply for CUSMA work permits if they temporarily relocate to Canada.
Work permits allowing “CUSMA Intra-Company Transfers” must meet the following three requirements:
- It is mandatory that candidates work for the relevant Mexican or American company at the present time.
- Candidates must have at least one year of continuous employment in a position that is similar to the one they will be filling in Canada.
- An individual must be employed in management, executive, or specialist positions to qualify under this category.
Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement Traders
American or Mexican “CUSMA Traders” can apply for a work permit in Canada under category three. Applicants for work visas under this category (either the United States or Mexico) must demonstrate that they intend to engage in “substantial trade” between Canada and their home country.
Traders are defined as significant traders when they do more than half of their trade between one country and another using either volume or value calculations made by their employer.
Additionally, the CUSMA Trader’s employer must have established trade relations with Canada if it is an American or Mexican company. As a result, people who fall into this group are prohibited from entering Canada to establish trade relationships.
A new trader must also demonstrate critical skills in their position, such as being a manager or executive.
CUSMA Investors
With this arrangement, you are eligible for a work permit as a “CUSMA Investor.” CUSMA Investors are individuals who have made significant investments in Canadian startups or established companies and are seeking entry to Canada to manage and grow them. Before a prospective CUSMA Investor can be said to be developing and managing the company, they must own a controlling interest in it.
Those who qualify for this group and wish to immigrate to Canada must also demonstrate that they intend to supervise, manage, and counsel others rather than engage in direct labor. To illustrate this, you can use any of these three techniques:
- The position title of the individual.
- Position within the corporate structure of the individual.
- The exact responsibilities of the person’s job.
To summarize, CUSMA Investor can also grant work visas to the important staff of the company.
