Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

Seamless Trade and Mobility: CUSMA Benefits

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is a trade agreement that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020. The agreement is designed to promote economic growth and free trade among the three countries by eliminating trade barriers and promoting investment.

Specifications of CUSMA

• Businesspeople from the United States, Mexico, and Canada who are engaged in the exchange of products or services or investment operations can temporarily enter the country with the help of CUSMA.
• No requirement of LMIA
• It assures that no work permit is necessary in the case of a commercial visitor.
• It speeds up the application procedure for professionals who are exempt from the TRV by guaranteeing that an application may be submitted at the port of entry (POE). Foreign nationals who must get a temporary residence visa to visit Canada must still submit an application at a visa office before traveling there.

Under CUSMA, there are specific categories of businesspeople who are eligible for temporary entry to Canada without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). These categories include:

1. Business visitors: Individuals who are coming to Canada for a short period to engage in business activities, such as attending meetings or conferences. Business visitors must not engage in the Canadian labor market and must not receive payment from a Canadian source for any services provided in Canada.
2. Professionals: Individuals who hold a university degree and who are coming to Canada to work in certain designated professions, such as engineers, architects, and accountants. To be eligible for a work permit as a professional under CUSMA, the individual must possess the necessary qualifications for the profession and must have a pre-arranged job offer from a Canadian employer.
3. Intra-company transferees: Individuals who are being transferred to Canada by their employer to work in a related company in Canada. To be eligible for a work permit as an intra-company transferee under CUSMA, the individual must have been employed by the company for at least one year in the past three years and must be coming to Canada to work in a similar or related position.
4. Traders and investors: Individuals who are coming to Canada to engage in trade or investment activities, such as setting up a new business or purchasing an existing business. To be eligible for a work permit as a trader or investor under CUSMA, the individual must have substantial trade or investment experience and must have a pre-arranged business activity in Canada.
5. Technicians and specialists: Individuals who possess specialized knowledge and who are being brought to Canada to provide technical assistance or training. To be eligible for a work permit as a technician or specialist under CUSMA, the individual must have specialized knowledge that is essential to the Canadian employer and must have a pre-arranged job offer from a Canadian employer.

Additionally, individuals must meet all other admissibility requirements for entry into Canada, such as having a valid passport, being in good health, and not having a criminal record. They may also be required to undergo a medical examination or provide a police certificate. For individuals who fall into one of these categories, CUSMA can simplify the process of obtaining a work permit for temporary entry to Canada. However, it is important to note that there are still certain requirements and criteria that must be met to be eligible for a work permit under one of these categories.