CANADIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Canada announces new rules for NAFTA work permits

Tuesday, 16 December 2008

3 Year Work Permits are now available for NAFTA skilled professionals to work temporarily in Canada

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, announced on Monday, December 15th that professionals seeking to work temporarily in Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) can now receive work permits for up to three years.

Previously, NAFTA workers were required to renew their work permits every 12 months.

"NAFTA work permits are an excellent option for North American professionals seeking to work in Canada including lawyers, doctors, dentists and teachers. In addition, this will also help Canadian employers remain competitive by ensuring they have access to necessary skilled labour," said Minister Kenney.

"This extension, along with our Action Plan for Faster Immigration, will greatly benefit the Canadian economy by helping ensure greater continuity and stability for both employers and workers," continued Minister Kenney. "In a time of economic uncertainty, highly skilled migrants encourage innovation and economic growth, making us more competitive economically."

Employers can now be more confident that they will have access to the skilled labour they need for a longer period with the easing of the administrative requirements. The change matches the United States' new rules on issuance of Trade NAFTA (TN) work visas to Canadian and Mexican professionals under NAFTA. All three NAFTA countries (Canada, the United States and Mexico) recognize that greater work force mobility in North America, within certain professions, has net economic benefits.

If you are interested in Visas to Canada, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to Canada.