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.