Last Updated:October 23, 2025
LMIA-Exempt Work Permits under Free Trade Agreements
Under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, young people from countries that have bilateral Youth Mobility Agreements (bYMAs) with Canada may apply for LMIA-exempt work permits valid for one to two years. These permits are generally faster and simpler to obtain than work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Eligible Nationalities
Below is a list of countries and their associated FTA(s).
| Country | Applicable FTA(s) |
|---|---|
| Australia | CPTPP |
| Austria | CETA |
| Belgium | CETA |
| Brunei | CPTPP |
| Bulgaria | CETA |
| Chile | CPTPP, CCFTA |
| Colombia | CCoFTA |
| Croatia | CETA |
| Cyprus | CETA |
| Czechia | CETA |
| Denmark | CETA |
| Estonia | CETA |
| Finland | CETA |
| France | CETA |
| Germany | CETA |
| Greece | CETA |
| Hungary | CETA |
| Ireland | CETA |
| Italy | CETA |
| Japan | CPTPP |
| Latvia | CETA |
| Lithuania | CETA |
| Luxembourg | CETA |
| Malaysia | CPTPP |
| Malta | CETA |
| Mexico | CUSMA, CPTPP |
| Netherlands | CETA |
| New Zealand | CPTPP |
| Peru | CPTPP |
| Poland | CETA |
| Portugal | CETA |
| Romania | CETA |
| Singapore | CPTPP |
| Slovakia | CETA |
| Slovenia | CETA |
| Spain | CETA |
| Sweden | CETA |
| United States | CUSMA |
| Vietnam | CPTPP |
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
Citizens of the 27 European Union (EU) member states are eligible to apply. CETA provides work permits exempt from LMIA requirements primarily in the following four categories:
- Professionals
- Includes contractual service suppliers and independent (self-employed) professionals.
- Requires a university degree or equivalent qualification, relevant professional certification, and work experience:
- 3 years for service suppliers
- 6 years for independent professionals
- Service suppliers must have been employed by the EU company for at least one year and hold a Canadian service contract.
- Independent professionals must have a signed contract directly with a Canadian client.
- Work permit validity: Up to 24 months (work allowed for 12 months only)
- Intra-Company Transferees
- Eligible for executives, supervisors, specialized knowledge workers, and graduate trainees.
- Must have been employed by an EU company (or affiliate) for at least one year.
- Work permit validity:
- Up to 3 years for executives and specialists
- Up to 1 year for graduate trainees
- Investors
- For executives, supervisors, or specialists who have made or will make a substantial investment in a Canadian business.
- Main duties must focus on developing and directing the business.
- Work permit validity: 24 months (work allowed for 12 months only)
- Technologists
- Must be an engineering or scientific technologist with a three-year post-secondary degree and three years of relevant experience.
- Must have been employed by an EU company for at least one year and hold a Canadian service contract.
- Required licensing or certification must be obtained.
- Work permit validity: 24 months (work allowed for 12 months only)
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Eligible applicants: Citizens (and in some cases permanent residents) of CPTPP member countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Professionals
- Must have a four-year post-secondary degree and two years of related work experience.
- Eligible occupations vary by country.
- Work permit validity: Up to 1 year
- Intra-Company Transferees
- For managers, executives, specialists, or management trainees employed by a multinational company transferring to Canada.
- Must have at least one year of continuous employment within the last three years.
- Work permit validity: Up to 3 years
- Investors
- For supervisors, executives, or specialized-skill employees establishing or developing a substantial investment in Canada.
- Work permit validity: Up to 1 year
- Technicians
- Citizens or permanent residents of CPTPP countries with a two-year technical degree and four years of work experience in the relevant field may qualify.
- Eligible technician occupations differ by country.
- Work permit validity: Up to 1 year
Canada–Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)
Eligible applicants: Citizens of Chile
- Professionals
- Must work in an eligible occupation in the general, medical, scientific, or teaching fields and meet educational and licensing requirements.
- Work permit validity: Up to 3 years
- Intra-Company Transferees
- For managers, executives, or specialized knowledge workers employed by a multinational company in Chile.
- Work permit validity:
- 5 years for managers or executives
- 3 years for specialized knowledge employees
- Investors and Traders
- For individuals engaged in substantial trade between Canada and Chile or in developing a substantial investment in Canada.
- Work permit validity: Up to 1 year
Canada–Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCoFTA)
Eligible applicants: Citizens of Colombia
- Professionals
- Must hold a four-year post-secondary degree and meet all licensing and certification requirements for the position.
- Occupations must fall under NOC TEER 0 or 1.
- Work permit validity: Up to 1 year
- Intra-Company Transferees
- For managers, executives, specialists, or management trainees employed by a multinational company in Colombia.
- Must have six months of continuous employment within the last three years.
- Work permit validity: Up to 3 years
- Technicians
- Must have a two-year post-secondary or technical degree and work in an eligible TEER 2 or 3 occupation.
- Licensing and certification are required.
- Work permit validity: Up to 1 year
- Traders and Investors
- For supervisors, executives, or essential-skilled workers engaged in substantial trade or investment activities in Canada.
- Work permit validity: Up to 1 year
Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) categorizes jobs by skill level, known as TEERs. TEER 0 represents the highest-skilled occupations, while TEER 5 represents the lowest.
How to Apply for an LMIA-Exempt Work Permit
Applying under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) involves two main stages and typically takes between 3 weeks and 7 months to process, depending on the applicant’s country.
- The employer’s submission
- The worker’s application
【Important Notes】
- Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval.
- Final decisions are made at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Employer Steps
01Submit a job offer through the Employer Portal
Employers must create and submit a job offer through the Employer Portal.
02Pay the employer compliance fee
Pay the employer compliance fee of CAD $230 as required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
03Provide the offer of employment number
After submission, provide the generated offer of employment number to the foreign worker for their application.
Worker Steps
01Confirm eligibility
Confirm eligibility based on your nationality and work permit category under the applicable FTA.
02Review the official instruction guide
Review the government instruction guide to ensure you meet all conditions before applying.
03Gather required documents
Prepare educational credentials, certifications, and proof of specialized work experience according to your category.
04Pay the processing and biometrics fees
- Work permit processing fee: CAD $155
- Biometrics fee (if required): CAD $85
05Submit your application to IRCC
Submit your application online to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with all supporting documents.
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