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CUSMA
The Canada United States Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is a trilateral treaty between Canada, the US and Mexico. The Canada Mexico United States Agreement (CUSMA) provides work permit status for nationals of the US and Mexico citizens. The treaty includes work permit options for Professionals, Intra Company Transferees, Treaty Investors and Treaty Traders and, also, includes provisions for entry to Canada as a business visitor.
To apply for a work permit as a CUSMA Professional, one must have a job offer in one of 63 professions noted in the agreement’s Professionals Appendix. The applicant must also possess the appropriate educational requirements. Citizens of the US and Mexico are eligible for a CUSMA Professional work permit.
Work permits as Intra Company Transferees under CUSMA are for individuals who have worked at a related company in the US or Mexico in an executive, managerial or specialized knowledge position for at least one year and will be transferred to Canada to take a similar role.
CUSMA contains provisions for those coming to Canada to carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between Canada and the US or Mexico. Those who are eligible can apply for a Treaty Trader Work Permit. In order to obtain a treaty trader work permit, the applicant must demonstrate that the enterprise is involved in a substantial amount of trade with Canada. This usually means that more than 50% of the company’s international trade is with Canada.
Treaty Investor Work Permits are for US or Mexican citizens who have made or are actively making a substantial investment in Canada. Funds must be at risk in advance of the application and the investment must be substantial based on a proportionality test.
C20 Reciprocal Employment Canada
This work permit category is intended to allow foreign workers to apply for a work permit in Canada when Canadians have similar reciprocal opportunities to work abroad. As a result of the foreign worker entering Canada, the labour market impact should be neutral.
To make an application in this work permit category, a Canadian employer must be able to demonstrate that there are reciprocal work opportunities for Canadians abroad. The onus is on the employer to prove that reciprocity exists. Examples of supporting documents may include a formal exchange document between the Canadian entity and the foreign entity, work contracts demonstrating an exchange of workers or an HR plan or Global Mobility Policy that verifies that exchanges, secondments, etc. are available to the employee population.
Athletes and coaches requiring work permits in Canada also fall under this category.
Apply for C20 Reciprocal Employment Canada with the Help of Leading Canadian Immigration Lawyers
To discuss this further and outline the particular facts of your situation, please get in touch with a Canadian immigration lawyer at our law firm, Guberman // Appleby Immigration Lawyers.
C20 Reciprocal Employment Canada FAQ
A job offer is required for an individual to apply for a reciprocal work permit. Once the applicant possesses a Canadian job offer and application can be prepared. The application process depends on your country of origin and that is what will dictate whether the application is submitted through your lawyer’s authorized representative portal or made directly at the port of entry. If you are from a Temporary Resident Visa required country then the application must be made in advance. If you are from a Visa -exempt country, you have the option to apply at the port of entry.