NAFTA Trader work permit

NAFTA Traders and NAFTA Investors

NAFTA Traders and NAFTA Investors who wish to work in Canada must meet specific requirements to qualify for a NAFTA Trader work permit or a NAFTA Investor work permit.

1. Intend and be able to engage in substantial trade of goods or services between Canada and the country of the applicant’s citizenship (United States or Mexico).

OR

2. Have committed, or be in the active process of committing, a substantial amount of capital to an existing or new Canadian business.

In both cases, NAFTA Traders and Investors must work in an executive or supervisory position, or in a role that requires essential skills.

Labour Market Impact Assessment

NAFTA Traders and NAFTA Investors do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment, but they do need a work permit to work in Canada. Applicants cannot receive both trader and investor status. However, if unsure which status fits their circumstances best, they may apply for both designations.

NAFTA Trader and Investor work permits last for a maximum of one year. Applicants can extend the permit for up to two years if they continue to meet all requirements. Authorities will compare the information from the initial application with the extension application to ensure all conditions are still satisfactory.

NAFTA Trader Work Permit

NAFTA Trader work permits allow US and Mexican citizens to work in Canada if their business engages in substantial trade.

Requirements:

1. The applicant must have US or Mexican citizenship.
2. The enterprise employing the applicant must be a US or Mexican company, at least 50% owned by US or Mexican nationals or corporate persons.
3. The enterprises must engage in substantial trade of goods or services.
4. Trade must primarily occur between the United States or Mexico and Canada, accounting for over 50% of total trade volume.
5. Existing trade between the United States or Mexico and Canada must already exist. Applicants cannot qualify as traders if they seek new trading relationships.
6. The applicant must hold an executive, supervisory, or essential skills position.
7. Applicants may need to meet other requirements for temporary entry to Canada, such as temporary resident visas for Mexicans.

NAFTA Investor Work Permit

NAFTA Investor work permits allow US and Mexican citizens to develop and direct businesses in Canada if they have made or are making substantial investments.

Requirements:

1. The applicant must have US or Mexican citizenship.
2. The enterprise employing the applicant must have Mexican or US nationality, with at least 50% ownership by US or Mexican citizens or corporate persons.
3. The applicant must have made or be in the process of making a substantial investment in Canada.
4. The applicant seeks entry into Canada solely to develop and direct the Canadian enterprise in which they have invested or are actively investing a substantial amount of capital.
5. The applicant must hold an executive, supervisory, or essential skills position if they are an employee.
6. Applicants may need to meet other requirements for temporary entry to Canada, such as temporary resident visas for Mexicans.

Q&A Section:

1. What is the maximum duration of NAFTA Trader and NAFTA Investor work permits?
   • NAFTA Trader and Investor work permits last for one year, with a possible extension of two years.
2. What does “develop and direct” mean in the context of a NAFTA Investor work permit?
   • “Develop and direct” means the applicant should control the enterprise, owning more than 50% of it.
3. Is there a specific dollar figure for a “substantial investment” for a NAFTA Investor work permit?
   • There is no specific dollar figure. Determinations rely on a proportionality test against the total value of the enterprise or the necessary amount to establish a viable enterprise.