Apply For CPTPP Work Permit
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) provides an easier way to a work permit for qualified individuals. The CPTPP work permits are exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which significantly shortens the application process for both Canadian employers and foreign applicants.
What is CPTPP
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement between Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and Vietnam.
However, it is important to mention that not all stipulations of the agreement apply to all countries. Review the information below carefully to confirm what is applicable.
In general, the CPTPP agreement facilitates entry of the following persons:
- Business visitors
- Investors
- Professionals and Technicians
- Intra-Company Transferees
Canadian employers may primarily benefit from the categories of Professionals and Technicians and Intra-Company Transferees. Qualified applicants may obtain a CPTPP work permit while their Canadian employer is not obligated to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
Professionals and Technicians
In order to qualify for a CPTPP work permit, both professionals and technicians must have a pre-arranged contract or employment offer from a Canadian employer. Furthermore, Canada sets general and specific requirements to qualify applicants.
The general requirements are:
- professionals and technicians should be paid at the level comparable to qualified professionals and technicians in the occupation and region in Canada where the work will be performed. The wage/salary rate should be guided by the prevailing wage rate on the Jobbank.gc.ca website.
- applicants must demonstrate theoretical and practical experience in the occupation. A proof of study and paid work experience may be required.
- applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to speak one of Canada’s official languages. Documentary evidence may be required in some cases.
Submit Your Resume (CV)
Professionals – Specific Requirements
Professionals require both of the following:
- must intend to engage in one of the permitted occupations.
- a post-secondary degree of 4 or more years of study and any additional requirements defined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- minimum 2 years of paid work experience in the occupation of the contract.
Technicians – Specific Requirements
Technicians require both of the following:
- must intend to engage in one of the permitted occupations.
- a post-secondary or technical degree requiring 2 or more years of study as a minimum for entry into the occupation, unless other criteria are provided in the program delivery instructions, as well as any other minimum requirements for entry defined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- minimum 4 years of paid work experience in the occupation of the contract
CPTPP Work Permit Country-Specific Occupation List
Professionals
All NOC-0 and NOC-A occupations are permitted, except the following.
Occupation
Australia
Japan
Mexico
Health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Judges and notaries
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Managers in postal and courier services
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Managers of tele-communications carriers
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Occupations related to cultural industries
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Researchers, except those working at an academic entity
Permitted
Not Permitted
Permitted
Technicians
The following occupations that are listed as NOC B are permitted.
Occupation
Australia
Japan
Mexico
Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
Permitted
Permitted
Not Permitted
Architectural technologists and technicians
Permitted
Permitted
Not Permitted
Civil engineering technologists and technicians
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Computer and information systems technicians (occupations include elements of NOC A)
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Construction inspectors and estimators
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Drafting technologists and technicians
Permitted
Permitted
Not Permitted
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Electricians
Permitted
Not Permitted
Permitted
Engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Graphic designers and illustrators
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Industrial designers
Permitted
Permitted
Not Permitted
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Interior designers
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
International purchasing and selling agents
Permitted
Permitted
Not Permitted
Land survey technologists and technicians
Permitted
Permitted
Not Permitted
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers and testers
Permitted
Permitted
Not Permitted
Plumbers
Permitted
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
Permitted
Permitted
Not Permitted
Supervisors in the following areas:
food, beverage and tobacco processing fields
forest products processing field
machinists and related occupations
mineral and metal processing
mining and quarrying
oil and gas drilling and service
petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
plastic and rubber products manufacturing
printing and related occupations
textile processing
Permitted
Permitted
PLUS
carpentry trades
electrical trades and telecom. occupations
heavy construction equipment crews
installers, repairers and servicers
mechanic trades
metal forming
other construction trades
pipefitting trades
shaping and erecting trades
Not Permitted
Contractors and supervisors in the following areas:
carpentry trades
electrical trades and telecom. occupations
heavy construction equipment crews
installers, repairers and servicers
mechanic trades
metal forming
other construction trades
pipefitting trades
shaping and erecting trades
Permitted
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
EXCEPT
electrical trades and telecom. occupations
heavy construction equipment crews
installers, repairers and servicers
other construction trades
Intra-Corporate Transferees
An intra-company transferee is a person employed by a company in a CPTPP member country and this company is a parent, subsidiary or affiliate to a Canadian company. The intra-company transferee must be engaged in an activity in Canada as:
- an executive
- a manager
- a specialist
- a management trainee on professional development
Criteria for Intra-Company Transferees
All intra-corporate transferees must meet the following requirements:
- be a citizen of a CPTPP signatory country
- have been employed by a company of or have been partners in a country of a CPTPP signatory continuously for at least 1 year within the 3 years at the time of submitting the application
- be transferred to a company (that must be a parent entity, subsidiary or affiliate company of the company) in Canada
Executives
Available to citizens of
- Australia
- Japan
- Mexico
- New Zealand
An executive is a person within a company who:
- primarily directs the management of the company or a major part or function of the company
- establishes the goals and policies of the company or of a part or function of the company
- exercises wide latitude in decision-making and receives only general supervision or direction from high-level executives, the board of directors or stockholders of the company
Specialists
Available to citizens of
- Australia
- Japan
- Mexico
- New Zealand
A specialist is an employee possessing specialized knowledge of the company’s product or services and their application in international markets or an advanced level of knowledge of the company’s processes and procedures.
Managers
Available to citizens of
- Australia
- Japan
- Mexico
- New Zealand
A manager is a business person within a company who:
- primarily directs the company or a department or sub-division of the company
- supervises and controls the work of other supervisory, professional or managerial employees
- has the authority to hire and fire or take other personnel actions (such as promotion or leave authorization)
- exercises discretionary authority over day-to-day operations
Management Trainee on Professional Development
Management trainee on professional development must be an employee of a company from a CPTPP signatory country. He or she must possess a post-secondary degree and plan to take a temporary work assignment to gain knowledge and experience in a Canadian company.
Where to Apply for CPTPP Work Permit
Applicants from visa-exempt CPTPP member countries may apply at a Canadian Port-of-Entry (i.e. airport, land crossing or harbour). Alternatively, applicants may submit applications by mail or online to a Canadian visa office abroad. Applicants from visa-required countries must apply and be approved at a visa office abroad prior to their departure to Canada.
Length of CPTPP Work Permit
Professionals and Technicians may be issued an initial CPTPP work permit for up to 1 year. Intra-company transferees are eligible for up to 3-year work permit. Potential extensions are granted at an immigration officer’s discretion, providing that the applicant supplies documentation that justifies the need to have the work permit extended.