CETA Work Permits for EU Citizens: Investors, Transferees and Service Suppliers
CETA lets citizens of European Union member states work in Canada without an LMIA as investors, intra-company transferees (specialists and graduate trainees), contractual service suppliers and independent professionals. Employers usually pay a CAD 230 compliance fee, and the work permit costs CAD 155.
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CETA at a glance
CETA is the Canada-EU trade agreement. It is part of the International Mobility Program, so an LMIA is not needed, but the employer must still submit an offer of employment.
Who can use CETA?
Investor
IRCC describes an investor as a manager or specialist who is responsible for setting up an enterprise, is not paid by a Canadian source and does not have direct transactions with the general public.
Specialist or specialized knowledge worker
You need knowledge at an advanced level of expertise and proprietary knowledge of your company product, service, research, equipment, techniques or management.
Graduate trainee
A person temporarily transferred to a Canadian enterprise to develop their career or obtain business training.
Contractual service supplier
An employee of an EU company who supplies a service in Canada under a contract. The stay is limited to 12 months.
Independent professional
A self-employed EU professional who supplies a service in Canada under a contract, for no more than 12 months.
Business visitor
Business visitors do not need a work permit. The stay limit under CETA is up to 90 days in any 6-month period.
Six steps to a CETA work permit
Match
Confirm that your citizenship is an EU member state and pick your worker group.
Role
Check that your role fits investor, transferee, service supplier or independent professional.
Employer files the offer
Your employer submits the offer of employment in the Employer Portal and pays the compliance fee.
Offer number
The employer gives you the 7-digit offer of employment number.
Apply
Apply online with your documents and biometrics.
Start and extend
Keep your permit conditions and plan any extension early.
Government fees (IRCC): work permit CAD 155, employer compliance fee CAD 230 (unless exempt) and biometrics CAD 85 per person if needed. Check the IRCC fee list before you pay. Our own fees are quoted after your consultation.
Related work permit guides
Free trade agreement permits
The overview of every agreement and worker group. Read the guide
Intra-company transfer
Moving managers and specialists within one company. Read the guide
Hire a foreign worker
Employer steps for LMIA and LMIA-exempt hiring. Read the guide
Work permit extension
Extend before your permit ends. Read the guide
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CETA work permit questions
Only citizens of European Union member states. UK citizens use a different agreement.
No. CETA permits are LMIA-exempt, but the employer must submit an offer of employment and pay the compliance fee unless exempt.
A contractual service supplier or independent professional supplies a service for no more than 12 months.
No. Business visitors do not enter the labour market. Under CETA they can stay up to 90 days in any 6-month period.
The work permit fee is CAD 155, the employer compliance fee is CAD 230 unless exempt and biometrics are CAD 85 if needed. Check the IRCC fee list.
A CETA permit is temporary. Skilled Canadian work experience may count toward the Canadian Experience Class or a provincial program.
Check your CETA route before your employer files
Book a Strategy Consultation and a licensed RCIC will check your citizenship, your role and your employer steps before anything is filed.
Amir Ismail is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC R412319) who has been associated with the immigration consulting industry since 1991.
Last updated: October 2026. Source: IRCC.
