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.

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Professionals – Specific Requirements

Professionals require both of the following:

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.