What’s the difference between Business People and Business Visitors? Are they the same?

Business people come to Canada to conduct business under a free trade agreement.  Business visitors are someone who comes to Canada to participate in international business activities and they can stay in Canada anywhere from a few days or a few weeks, but cannot stay longer than 6 months. Business visitors are not considered to be part of Canada’s work force and therefore, do not require a work permit.

I am considered a Professional (accountant, lawyer, interior designer, economist, computer systems analyst, management consultant, etc.), under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Does my potential Canadian employer require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before they hire me?

No. Under the CUSMA agreement, Canadian employers are not required to obtain an LMIA assessment before the hire me. You may however, be required to provide proof of education and work experience. In order to qualify to work in Canada as a professional under CUSMA, you must be a citizen of the USA or Mexico, your profession must be listed on the CUSMA list of professionals, have pre-arranged employment with a Canadian employer and must be in compliance with current Canadian immigration requirements.  

Contact SamLaw to explore your options and to see if your profession is noted in the full list under CUSMA and to know more about all the requirements to work in Canada under this program.