CPTPP Work Permits: Investors, Professionals and Technicians
The CPTPP trade agreement lets citizens of Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam work in Canada without an LMIA as investors, professionals, technicians and other business people. Employers usually pay a CAD 230 compliance fee, and the work permit costs CAD 155.
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CPTPP at a glance
CPTPP permits sit inside the International Mobility Program. IRCC lists professionals and technicians under its LMIA exemption for CPTPP, and Global Affairs Canada says the agreement covers accompanying spouses of eligible business persons on a reciprocal basis.
Who can use CPTPP?
Investor
Investors come from Australia (or permanent residents), Brunei, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Professional
Professionals come from Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico and Peru. You 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.
Technician
Technicians need a 2-year post-secondary degree, 4 years of experience, a TEER 2 or 3 job and pre-arranged employment.
Intra-company transferee
IRCC lists specialists and specialized knowledge workers. See our intra-company transfer guide.
Business visitor
Business visitors do not need a work permit and can stay up to 6 months at a time.
Accompanying spouse
The agreement gives reciprocal coverage for accompanying spouses of eligible business persons. Check each case before you apply.
CPTPP groups and countries
CPTPP citizens and groups at a glance
| Group | Countries (per our checks of IRCC pages) | Main requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Investors | Australia (or permanent residents), Brunei, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam | Set up or run an investment as a manager or specialist |
| Professionals | Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru | 4-year degree, 2 years of paid experience, TEER 0 or 1 job |
| Technicians | Check IRCC for your country | 2-year degree, 4 years of experience, TEER 2 or 3 job |
The UK acceded to CPTPP, and Canada announced in July 2026 that it ratified the UK accession protocol. IRCC still lists UK workers under the Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement, so check IRCC for current rules.
Six steps to a CPTPP work permit
Match
Check your citizenship against the CPTPP country lists and pick investor, professional or technician.
Qualifications
Gather degrees, transcripts and proof of paid experience at the right TEER level.
Employer files the offer
Your employer submits the offer and pays the compliance fee.
Offer number
You receive the 7-digit offer of employment number.
Apply
Apply online with your documents and biometrics.
Start and extend
Plan your extension before the permit ends.
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
CUSMA professionals (TN)
For US and Mexican professionals on the CUSMA list. Read the guide
Intra-company transfer
Moving managers and specialists within one company. Read the guide
Other trade agreements and GATS
Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Peru, Panama, Ukraine and GATS. Read the guide
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CPTPP work permit questions
Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Which group you can use depends on your country.
No. IRCC treats CPTPP professionals and technicians as LMIA-exempt, but the employer must submit an offer of employment and pay the compliance fee unless exempt.
A 4-year post-secondary degree, 2 years of paid experience in the sector, a TEER 0 or 1 job and pre-arranged employment.
A 2-year post-secondary degree, 4 years of experience, a TEER 2 or 3 job and pre-arranged employment.
The agreement gives reciprocal coverage for accompanying spouses of eligible business persons. We check your spouse options in your consultation.
The UK acceded to CPTPP and Canada announced ratification in July 2026. IRCC lists UK workers under the Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement, so check IRCC before you apply.
Check your CPTPP 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.
