TEMPORARY WORK VISAS TO CANADA

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS VISA

As a signatory to many international agreements, Canada enjoys the unique mobility of workers who satisfy the conditions outlined in the various agreements and foster trade, exchange of skills, labour and encourage mobility through the American continent.

Suitable applicants are provided with expedited handling of their visas, generally without the requirement of assessment by Service Canada. Once granted a versatile International Agreements visa, foreign workers are given the opportunity to work and live in Canada for the duration specified on their work permit and may be admissible to apply for permanent residency during the term of their stay.

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS VISA REQUIREMENTS

The three (3) main international agreements used by applicants are outlined below.

With the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), citizens of Canada, the United States and Mexico can gain quicker and easier temporary entry into the three countries to conduct business or investment activities. Business people covered by NAFTA must, however, comply with the general provisions on temporary entry to Canada. NAFTA applies to business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, and traders and investors.

With the General Agreement on Trade Services (GATS), Canada has committed to making it easier for certain business people who are Foreign Service providers in certain sectors to access the Canadian market. GATS applies to service providers from more than 140 World Trade Organization member countries. GATS also applies to business visitors, professionals and intra-company transferees.

The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) has been modelled after NAFTA and makes it easier for Canadian and Chilean citizens to temporarily enter each of the two countries and applies to business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, and traders and investors.

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS VISA ENTITLEMENTS

Once an International Agreements visa has been issued, the applicant will be allowed to live and work in Canada for a specified period of time, generally between 3 months or 90 consecutive days within a 12 month period. Their spouse and children may be eligible to work and study during their stay. While dependent on the specific job offer, it may be possible to extend the temporary work permit if the applicant wishes to continue working in Canada. An International Agreements visa may assist them towards permanent residence and may be processed in tandem, which could allow them to stay in Canada once the application has been approved.

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