Business Mobility under Free Trade Agreements
What a free trade agreement opens, and what it does not
Canada’s free trade agreements include commitments on the temporary entry of business people. Depending on the agreement and on the applicant’s nationality, these commitments can cover categories such as traders, investors, professionals and intra-company transferees, several of them exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment under paragraph R204(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
A trade agreement opens a conversation about mobility. It does not replace the application, the requirements or the decision of the Canadian authorities, and each case is assessed individually against the commitments of the agreement that applies.
Legal basis
R204(a) · International agreements, with IRCC exemption codes for each agreement
Who it can cover
Depends on the agreement: for example traders, investors, professionals and intra-company transferees
Key factors
Your nationality and the specific commitments of the applicable agreement
Type
Temporary entry for business purposes
Where it fits
When agreement-based mobility can be part of the plan
We look at trade agreement mobility as one piece of a business expansion, together with market entry, corporate structure and investment.
You trade with Canada
You already sell to Canadian clients, or plan to, and need to be in the country to serve them.
You invest and direct
You will invest in, and actively direct, a business that operates in Canada.
Your company transfers key people
Your company needs executives or specialists in a related company in Canada.
You provide professional services
Your company provides professional services to clients in Canada.
Three things to be clear about
01
Agreements do not issue permits
They set commitments on temporary entry. Each application is decided by the Canadian authorities on its own merits.
02
It is not a path to residence by itself
Temporary entry under an agreement does not lead to permanent residence. Permanent residence is a separate process with its own requirements.
03
Not every person or activity is covered
Categories, conditions and documents vary from one agreement to another, and by nationality.
How we work
Three stages, in this order. Commercial pre-qualification is separate from the legal and immigration assessment.
1
Pre-qualification
You share basic information about your company, your role and your project in Canada through a short form or a conversation with our team. This step does not determine eligibility.
2
Canada Market Entry Assessment
A preliminary analysis of your project, its structure and the mobility routes that could apply, reviewed by an authorized professional.
3
Proposal of services
If it makes sense to move forward, we define the scope, responsibilities, stages and terms of the implementation.
Request your Canada Market Entry Assessment
Tell us what your company wants to do in Canada. We review your project and the mobility routes that could apply to your case.
Regulated immigration services are provided by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) and associated lawyers. Each case is assessed individually. Global Venture Visa does not guarantee permits, residence, timelines or results. Permanent residence is not our product: it may be considered as a future possibility, subject to an independent assessment and the requirements in force at that time. Approval of a temporary permit does not guarantee it.