Free Trade Agreement Work Permits Canada: CUSMA, CPTPP and CETA
Canada’s trade agreements let some business people work here without an LMIA. The rules depend on your citizenship and your role: trader, investor, professional or business visitor. We check which agreement covers you and what your employer must file.
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Which trade agreement covers you?
Your citizenship decides the agreement. CUSMA covers US and Mexican citizens, CETA covers citizens of EU member states, and CPTPP covers citizens of listed Pacific countries. IRCC also lists Chile, Colombia, Korea, Peru, Panama, the UK and the GATS for some roles (IRCC).
What does each agreement cover?
Most agreements cover business visitors, investors and some professionals. CUSMA also covers traders and company transferees. Read our CUSMA professionals guide for TN professionals and our intra-company transfer guide for company transfers. The LMIA-exempt hub shows other exemptions.
Key rules at a glance
- CUSMA traders and investors: you need a supervisor, executive or essential skills role, and the form IMM 5321. The permit is for up to 1 year, with extensions up to 2 years.
- CPTPP: investors, professionals and technicians come from listed countries. Professionals need a 4 year degree, 2 years of paid experience and a TEER 0 or 1 job.
- CETA: only EU citizens qualify. Contractual service suppliers and independent professionals supply a service for no more than 12 months.
- Business visitors: no work permit. Stay limits are up to 6 months at a time under CUSMA and CPTPP, and up to 90 days in any 6 months under CETA.
Which situation matches yours?
Pick the situation that matches yours below.
A trade agreement permit fits if
- Your citizenship is covered by an agreement.
- Your role matches a covered type, such as investor or professional.
- Your employer can file the offer and pay the fee.
Another route fits if
- You are a US or Mexican professional: read the CUSMA professionals guide.
- Your employer sends you from abroad: see the intra-company transfer guide.
- No agreement covers you: an LMIA work permit or another exemption may fit.
See our work permits hub and the LMIA-exempt hub for every option.
Why trade agreement applications get refused
Five problems cause most trouble. Source: IRCC.
Wrong agreement
Each agreement covers different citizens and roles. A role that works under CUSMA may not work under CPTPP or CETA.
Role does not match
Traders and investors must be supervisors, executives or have essential skills. Professionals need the right degree, experience and job level.
Weak investment or trade proof
Investors need substantial capital, and traders need substantial trade in goods or services. Thin proof invites a refusal.
Missing form or employer steps
CUSMA traders and investors must submit form IMM 5321. The employer must submit the offer and pay the fee.
Too long a stay
Contractual services under CETA are limited to 12 months, and investor permits start at 1 year. Plan the stay to fit the rules.
Not sure which agreement fits?
We match your citizenship, role and company to the right agreement before anything is filed.
Timing you cannot miss
Short first permits
Traders and investors usually get a permit for up to 1 year at first. Plan your extension early, because extensions can run up to 2 years under CUSMA.
Business visitors do not need a work permit. They can stay up to 6 months at a time under CUSMA and CPTPP. Under CETA the limit is 90 days in any 6 month period.
Trade agreement permits are temporary. If you want to stay, look at Express Entry or the Canadian Experience Class early.
Documents to gather
Your checklist depends on your role. Start with these.
How a trade agreement permit works, step by step
Six stages from your agreement to your permit.
Find your agreement
Check your citizenship against CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP and the other agreements.
Confirm your role
Pick trader, investor, professional or business visitor.
Employer files the offer
Your employer submits the offer and pays the compliance fee.
Get your offer number
Your employer gives you the 7 digit number.
Apply with the right form
Add IMM 5321 for CUSMA traders and investors.
Get your permit
Plan your extension before the permit ends.
Trade agreement costs
From IRCC pages. Last updated: October 2026.
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Free trade agreement work permit FAQs
What is a free trade agreement work permit?
It is a work permit for business people from countries that have a trade agreement with Canada. Your employer does not need an LMIA. The agreement sets who qualifies and for how long.
Which trade agreements does IRCC list?
IRCC lists CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP, and agreements with Chile, Colombia, Korea, Peru, Panama and the UK, plus the GATS for some roles. Select your citizenship on the IRCC page to see which apply.
Who can use CUSMA as a trader or investor?
Only US and Mexican citizens. A trader carries on substantial trade in goods or services. An investor sets up or runs an investment with substantial capital. Both must be a supervisor, executive or have essential skills.
What form do CUSMA traders and investors need?
You must submit form IMM 5321, the application for trader or investor status. Your employer must also submit the offer of employment and pay the compliance fee.
How long can a trader or investor stay?
The permit can be issued for up to 1 year. You can apply to extend it for up to 2 years.
Who can use CPTPP?
It depends on your country and role. Investors come from Australia (or permanent residents), Brunei, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Professionals come from Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico and Peru.
What do CPTPP professionals need?
A 4 year post-secondary degree, 2 years of paid experience in the sector, a TEER 0 or 1 job and pre-arranged employment. Technicians need a 2 year degree, 4 years of experience and a TEER 2 or 3 job.
Who can use CETA?
Only citizens of EU member states. CETA covers business visitors, investors and professionals. Professionals are contractual service suppliers or independent professionals, and they supply a service for no more than 12 months.
Do business visitors need a work permit?
No. They do not enter the labour market. The stay limit is up to 6 months at a time under CUSMA and CPTPP, and up to 90 days in any 6 months under CETA.
How much does it cost?
The work permit fee is CAD$155, and your employer pays a CAD$230 compliance fee. Biometrics cost CAD$85 if needed. Check the IRCC fee list.
Can I apply at a port of entry?
Only in narrow cases. IRCC lets some professionals under agreements with the US, Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru, Colombia and Korea apply when re-entering through the US. Check the rules before you travel.
What if my application is refused?
You can reapply with new proof or ask the Federal Court to review the decision. There is no appeal. See our work permit refused guide.
