Certain U.S. workers have an easier path to work in Canada, i.e., some citizens of the United States who want to live and work in Canada benefit from special rules that make the process easier and faster.
Under the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), certain U.S. and Mexican citizens can work in Canada through simplified work permit options. CUSMA is Canada’s version of the USMCA free trade agreement.
One major advantage of CUSMA is that eligible workers do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA is often one of the biggest barriers for foreign workers because it can take time and delay hiring.
Below is a clear and simple explanation of who qualifies under CUSMA, the different worker categories, family options, and how Canadian work experience under CUSMA can help lead to permanent residence (PR).
Who Can Use CUSMA?
CUSMA work permit options are only open to U.S. and Mexican citizens. Permanent residents of these countries do not qualify.
CUSMA includes the following worker categories:
- Professionals
- Intra-company transferees
- Traders
- Investors
Basic Rules For All CUSMA Applicants
All CUSMA applicants must meet Canada’s general work permit rules. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expects applicants to show the following:
- They will leave Canada when their work permit ends
- They have enough money to support themselves and any family members
- They will follow Canadian laws and have no serious criminal record
- They do not pose a security risk
- They are in good health (medical exams may be required)
- They will not work for an ineligible employer and can provide any requested documents
CUSMA applicants can apply from inside Canada if they meet certain conditions. Some visa-exempt travellers may also apply at a port of entry.
Understanding Each CUSMA Worker Category
Professional Workers
IRCC defines the Professional category as jobs that require professional-level education or credentials. These occupations are listed in CUSMA’s official appendix and fall under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
Core Eligibility:
- U.S. (or Mexican) citizenship
- Job must appear on the CUSMA professional list
- Applicant must have the required education or certification
- A pre-arranged job offer from a Canadian employer
Employer Steps (For Employer-Specific Work Permits):
- Submit the job offer through the ESDC Employer Portal
- Pay the $230 employer compliance fee
- Provide the offer of employment number to the worker.
Common Professional Fields Include:
General Professions
- Accountant
- Architect
- Computer systems analyst
- Disaster relief insurance claims adjuster
- Economist
- Engineer
- Forester
- Graphic designer
- Hotel manager
- Industrial designer
- Interior designer
- Land surveyor
- Landscape architect
- Lawyer (including notary in Quebec)
- Librarian
- Management consultant
- Mathematician (including statistician and actuary)
- Range manager/range conservationist
- Research assistant (working in a post-secondary institution)
- Scientific technician/technologist
- Social worker
- Silviculturist (including forestry specialist)
- Technical publications writer
- Urban planner (including geographer)
- Vocational counsellor
Medical And Allied Health Professionals
- Dentist
- Dietitian
- Medical laboratory technologist
- Nutritionist
- Occupational therapist
- Pharmacist
- Physician (teaching or research only)
- Physiotherapist / physical therapist
- Psychologist
- Recreational therapist
- Registered nurse
- Veterinarian
Scientists
- Agriculturist (including agronomist)
- Animal breeder
- Animal scientist
- Apiculturist
- Astronomer
- Biochemist
- Biologist (including plant pathologist)
- Chemist
- Dairy scientist
- Entomologist
- Epidemiologist
- Geneticist
- Geologist
- Geochemist
- Geophysicist
- Horticulturist
- Meteorologist
- Pharmacologist
- Physicist (including oceanographer)
- Plant breeder
- Poultry scientist
- Soil scientist
- Zoologist
Teachers
Instructors at colleges, seminaries, and universities
CUSMA professional work permits are usually valid for up to three years, with extensions often available in three-year periods.
Intra-Company Transferees (ICT)
Intra-company transferees are workers moving from a U.S. or Mexican company to a related Canadian branch, parent company, or subsidiary.
Core Eligibility:
- U.S. (or Mexican) citizenship
- Executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge role
- Transfer to a related Canadian business
- At least one year of full-time employment with the company in the last three years
Work Permit Limits:
- Up to five years total for specialized knowledge workers; or
- Up to seven years total for executives and managers
Initial permits are usually valid for up to three years, with extensions of up to two years at a time.
Traders
Traders conduct significant trade in goods or services between Canada and the U.S. or Mexico.
Core Eligibility:
- U.S. (or Mexican) citizenship
- Employer must have U.S. or Mexican nationality
- Substantial trade mainly between Canada and the U.S. or Mexico
- Executive, supervisory, or essential skills role
- Completion of IMM 5321 (Trader/Investor form)
Trader work permits are usually issued for one year, with extensions of up to two years.
Investors
Investors enter Canada to develop or manage a business where they have made a large financial investment.
Core Eligibility:
- U.S. (or Mexican) citizenship
- A substantial investment made or in progress in Canada
- Job offer submitted through the Employer Portal (or approved alternative)
- Role must involve directing or developing the business
- Position must be executive, supervisory, or essential skills
- Completion of IMM 5321 (Trader/Investor form)
Investor work permits are usually valid for one year, with extensions of up to two years.
How And Where U.S. Citizens Can Apply?
U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Canada. Because of this, they may apply for a CUSMA work permit at a port of entry, as long as all eligibility rules are met.
However, entry is never guaranteed. Immigration officers make final decisions at the border.
For those already inside Canada, IRCC has placed limits on applying at the border, including restrictions on “flagpoling.”
Many applicants choose to apply online instead. Online applications allow officers more time to review documents, which is helpful for regulated professions or complex business cases.
Bringing Family Members To Canada
Open Work Permits For Spouses And Partners
CUSMA mainly applies to principal workers, but spouses or common-law partners may qualify for an open work permit (OWP) under certain conditions.
An OWP allows spouses to work for most employers in Canada without job restrictions.
To qualify, the principal worker must:
- Hold a valid work permit or approval
- Have work authorization valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives the spouse’s application
- Live or plan to live in Canada while working
- Work in TEER 0 or 1, or eligible TEER 2 or 3 occupations
The TEER system is part of Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC). TEER 0 is the highest skill level, while TEER 5 is the lowest.
Spouses must also:
- Meet general work permit rules
- Be in a genuine relationship
- Hold valid temporary status, maintained status, or be eligible for restoration
If these conditions are not met, the spouse must explore other work permit options.
Children And Schooling
Minor children may study at preschool, primary, or secondary levels without a study permit if they are in Canada with a parent authorized to work or study.
Children above the age of majority who wish to attend college or university must apply for a study permit.
The age of majority depends on the province or territory.
How CUSMA Work Experience Can Lead To Permanent Residence?
CUSMA work permits are temporary, but Canadian work experience is highly valued in permanent residence programs.
Two main PR pathways are:
- Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Express Entry is Canada’s main PR system for skilled workers. Candidates receive a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and must meet draw cut-offs to receive an invitation to apply (ITA).
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is the main Express Entry program for workers with Canadian experience. IRCC has identified CEC as a priority for 2026.
CEC requirements include:
- Work in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
- Work must be done in Canada with authorization
- Paid work only
- At least 1 year (1,560 hours) in the last three years
Canadian work experience can add up to 70 or 80 CRS points, depending on family status.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Every province and territory except Quebec and Nunavut operates Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams to meet local labor needs.
Workers with Canadian job experience and local employment often have strong chances under PNP streams.
If nominated, applicants can apply directly for PR.
Express Entry–aligned nominations add 600 CRS points, making an ITA almost guaranteed.
A key requirement for PNPs is intent to reside. Provinces assess whether applicants genuinely plan to live and work there.
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