International Mobility Program

International companies can transfer their qualified employees temporarily to Canada. Employees eligible for transfer include executive employees, senior managerial employees and employees with specialized knowledge.

Individuals in executive or senior managerial positions are those who direct, control, plan or organize the activities of the business, or a department of the business. Individuals with specialized knowledge are key personnel of the organization, and possess knowledge at an advanced level of expertise and proprietary knowledge of the company’s product, service, research, equipment, techniques or management.

Requirements:

  • You must be employed by a multinational company and seeking entry to work in a parent, a subsidiary, a branch, or an affiliate of that enterprise.
  • You must be transferring to a position in an executive, senior managerial, or specialized-knowledge capacity and coming to Canada for a temporary period only.
  • You must have been continuously employed by the company from which you are transferring for a minimum period of one-year of the three years immediately preceding the date of your application.
  • Comply with all immigration requirements for temporary entry as a worker.
  • Meet other eligibility requirements.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is aimed at easing trade between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Citizens of these countries must have access to each other`s country in order to expand provision of goods and services, trade and investment. Individuals covered under NAFTA are not required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment to work in Canada.

Requirements:

  • You must be a citizen of the U.S or Mexico.
  • Your profession must be on a list of qualifying professions.
  • You must be qualified to work in the profession and show relevant educational background.
  • Display business activity at a professional level in the profession.
  • Have pre-arranged employment with a Canadian employer.
  • Meet other eligibility requirements.

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) facilitates entry of certain covered businesspersons, who are citizens of EU member states, by removing the requirement for Labour Market Impact Assessments.

Requirements:

  • You must be key personnel, including intra-company transferees, investors, and business visitors for investment purposes.
  • Must be contractual service suppliers and independent professionals.
  • Must be short-term business visitors.

General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

Individuals who are qualified under GATS may be eligible for entry into Canada, provided they possess the necessary academic credentials and professional qualifications. This temporary entry of business visitors, intra-company transferees and professionals under the GATS can be facilitated without a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

  • Prove that your main source of income and your main place of business remain outside Canada.
  • Satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay.
  • Prove that you do not intend to work or study in Canada unless authorized to do so.
  • Provide all other necessary documents to support your application.
  • You must be employed by a multinational company and seeking entry to work in a parent, a subsidiary, a branch, or an affiliate of the respective enterprise.
  • You must be transferring to a position in an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity.
  • You must be coming to Canada for a temporary period only.
  • Comply with all immigration requirements for temporary entry.
  • Meet other eligibility requirements.
  • Possess citizenship in a member nation, or permanent residency in Australia or New Zealand.
  • Deliver a service pursuant to a signed contract between a Canadian service consumer and a service provider of a World Trade Organization member nation.
  • Possess professional qualifications in an occupation identified in the General Agreement on Trade in Services.
  • Possess qualifications that have been recognized, where appropriate, by a professional association in Canada.

Our Work:

  • Assist and advise with work permit applications under North American Free Trade Agreement, Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, General Agreement on Trade in Services, and other Free Trade Agreements that also include Chile, Peru, Colombia and Korea. 

International Experience Canada

International Experience Canada (IEC) provides young people with the opportunity to travel and work in Canada. To qualify under this program, individuals must either be from an IEC country, or apply using a recognized organization. Qualification requirements vary based on the country of origin of the individual applying.

 

The International Co-op Internship Program allows you to get valuable overseas work experience related to your field of study. With this program, you are provided an employer-specific work permit.

This category is for you if:

  • You are a student registered at a post-secondary institution.
  • You have received an offer of a work placement or internship in Canada.
  • Completion of this work placement or internship is required to complete your studies.
  • While in Canada, you will work for the same employer and in the same location for the duration of your stay.

The Working Holiday Program allows for young people from around the world to gain valuable Canadian work experience. With this program, you are provided an open work permit.

This category is for you if:

  • You have not yet received a job offer.
  • You may have the intent to work for more than one employer, or in more than one location in Canada.

This program allows you to gain Canadian professional work experience to better compete in a global economy. With this program, you are provided an employer-specific work permit.

This category is for you if:

  • You have received a job offer in Canada that contributes to your professional development.
  • While in Canada, you will work for the same employer and in the same location for the duration of your stay.

Global Talent Stream

Individuals can qualify for a work permit to Canada through the Global Talent Stream under Category A, by being referred to the Global Talent Stream by a designated partner; or under Category B, by being recruited to fill in a position that is in an occupation found on the Global Talent Occupations List.

  • Demonstrate that the business and job offer are legitimate.
  • Work with Employment and Social Development Canada to develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan  that demonstrates commitment of the business toward activities that will track overall job creation, skills and training investments, and which will be a benefit to the economy of Canada through the employment of highly-skilled foreign workers.
  • Offer wages that meet prevailing wage rates paid to Canadian and permanent resident employees who are hired for the same job and work location, and who possess similar skills and years of experience.
  • Language requirements for the job must be only English or French.
  • You must provide justification if another language is essential.
  • Show a need for unique and specialized talent to aid in the growth of the business.
  • Identify a qualified foreign worker who meets the requirements of the position, shows advanced knowledge of the industry, has an advanced degree in an area of specialization of interest to the employer, and/or has a minimum of five years of experience in the field.
  • Pay a base salary to the employee of at least $80,000.
  • Hire a highly skilled foreign worker for an occupation found on the Global Talent Occupations List and not be under a “refusal to process” order in the Province of Alberta (if hiring in Alberta).
  • National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0213 – Computer and information systems managers
  • NOC 2147 – Computer engineers (excluding software engineers and designers)
  • Sub-set of NOC 2161 – Mathematicians and statisticians (excluding actuaries)
  • NOC 2171 – Information systems analysts and consultants
  • NOC 2172 – Database analysts and data administrators
  • NOC 2173 – Software engineers and designers
  • NOC 2174 – Computer programmers and interactive media developers
  • NOC 2175 – Web designers and developers
  • NOC 2281 – Computer network technicians
  • NOC 2283 – Information systems testing technicians
  • Subset of NOC 5131 – Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager – visual effects and video games; and
  • Sub-set of NOC 5241 – Digital media designers.