The work process in Canada under CUSMA for Mexicans and Americans is relatively easy. The North American Free Trade Agreement existed earlier, but the Canadian government introduced the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. Hence, the introduction of CUSMA ensured the strengthened economic connections of Canada with the two other countries that shared the continent with it. Besides this, it allows the citizens of Mexico and America to acquire a work permit in Canada.
CUSMA- essential information on the work process in Canada
Individuals applying for a work permit under CUSMA don’t usually require an LMIA. Moreover, they can expect to process their work permit applications at the visa office or Port of Entry.
It comprises four categories that make it possible for American and Mexican nationals to gain work experience in Canada; they’re as follows:
CUSMA Professionals
The citizens of the U.S and Mexico can work in Canada under the first category, called “CUSMA Professionals.” Those qualifying under this category must obtain Canadian work experience in any of the given sixty targeted occupations. A few of the sixty occupations are as follows:
- Graphic Designers
- Accountants
- Dentists
- Social Workers
- Nutritionists
- Architects
As a CUSMA professional, you will need pre-planned Canadian employment. Additionally, they must work in an occupation aligning with their professional qualification. Individuals seeking CUSMA work permits under the CUSMA professional category will require to provide their work experience proof or educational credentials per the target occupation.
CUSMA Intra-Company Transfers
The second category of work permits under CUSMA applies to people who need to work temporarily in Canada due to their transfer to the Canadian branch, subsidiary, or collaboration with their employer in U.S or Mexico.
For a CUSMA Intra-Company Transfer, the primary requirements of the work permit are as follows:
- Applicant’s current employment must associate with a Mexican or American company.
- They must hold the same job profile on which they will work in Canada and have a one-year experience in the same job position. The work experience must be calculated for the previous three years.
- An individual must ensure their eligibility for this category. However, to be eligible, the nature of Canadian work must be recognized as managerial, executive, or expert knowledge.
CUSMA Traders
Americans and Mexicans can also access the third category to obtain a Canadian work permit. This is known as the CUSMA Traders, and to gain eligibility for a work permit through this, they will need to display their intention of bringing forth a significant trade between Canada and Mexico or America.
However, significant trade occurs when over 50 percent of trade executes between Canada and one of the two countries. Therefore, when the trader’s employer exchanges the goods and services, their significance and capacity determine the calculation of the substantial trade.
Additionally, the incoming trader must hold employment as a supervisor or an executive. They could even prove that their job profile included roles and responsibilities that require essential skills.
Work process in Canada under CUSMA Investors
Finally, the last alternative for moving to Canada through a work permit is the CUSMA Investor category. Overall, a CUSMA investor is one who made a considerable investment in an ongoing business in Canada or a new one in the country. This implies that the individual now seeks to grow that business and hence, wishes to enter Canada.
To determine the possibility of the CUSMA Investor in building and pursuing a Canadian business, they must have a powerful stake in that company.
Apart from this, individuals visiting Canada through this category must ensure that their role within the company would only be to supervise, direct and assist employees rather than participate in the work itself.
They will have to prove the above using the following three ways:
- The job title of the interested individual.
- Evidence regarding the individual’s location within the ranking of the company.
- He must display a thorough description of the particular employment roles.
The CUSMA Investor’s significant staff members might obtain work permits through the category.
