Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Peru, Panama, Ukraine and GATS Work Permits
Canada has bilateral trade agreements with Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Peru, Panama and Ukraine, and the GATS covers specialists, specialized knowledge workers, professional development trainees and general service business personnel. All are LMIA-exempt, the employer usually pays a CAD 230 compliance fee and the work permit costs CAD 155.
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Other trade agreements at a glance
These agreements sit inside the International Mobility Program. Chile and Peru are also covered by CPTPP, and Mexico is covered by CUSMA and CPTPP.
Which worker groups does IRCC list?
Specialist
IRCC lists specialists under these agreements. You need knowledge at an advanced level of expertise and proprietary knowledge of your company product, service, research, equipment, techniques or management.
Specialized knowledge worker
The same advanced and proprietary knowledge test applies. See our intra-company transfer guide.
Professional development trainee
An employee with a post-secondary degree on a temporary work assignment to gain experience in the company and prepare for a senior position.
General service business personnel
Includes commercial transactions by managers or financial services personnel, public relations, advertising, tourism, translation and interpretation, cooks at culinary events, IT service providers at meetings, and franchise traders and developers.
Countries and agreements
Bilateral agreements at a glance
| Citizens of | Agreement | Also covered by |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement | CPTPP |
| Colombia | Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement | Not listed by IRCC |
| South Korea | Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement | Not listed by IRCC |
| Peru | Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement | CPTPP |
| Panama | Canada-Panama Agreement | Not listed by IRCC |
| Ukraine | Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement | Check IRCC country selector |
Source: IRCC business people and free trade agreement page, 2026. IRCC lets some professionals under agreements with the US, Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru, Colombia and South Korea apply at a port of entry when re-entering through the US. Check the rules before you travel.
Six steps to a trade agreement permit
Match
Check your citizenship in IRCC country selector and note every agreement that applies.
Role
Match your duties to the worker group, such as specialist or trainee.
Employer files the offer
Your employer submits the offer in the Employer Portal 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 any 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
CPTPP permits
For listed Pacific countries. Read the guide
Intra-company transfer
Moving managers and specialists within one company. Read the guide
CUSMA professionals (TN)
For US and Mexican professionals on the CUSMA list. Read the guide
What our clients say
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Other trade agreement questions
IRCC lists Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Peru, Panama and Ukraine, each with its own agreement.
The GATS is the World Trade Organization agreement on trade in services. IRCC lists specialists, specialized knowledge workers, professional development trainees and general service business personnel under it.
No. They are LMIA-exempt, but the employer must submit an offer of employment and pay the compliance fee unless exempt.
Only in narrow cases. IRCC lets some professionals under agreements with the US, Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru, Colombia and South Korea apply when re-entering through the US. Check the rules first.
Yes. IRCC lists both the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement and CPTPP for Chile. Peru is also covered by both.
The work permit fee is CAD 155, the employer compliance fee is CAD 230 unless exempt and biometrics are CAD 85 if needed.
Find the agreement that covers you
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.
