Pathways for USA Citizens Seeking to Work in Canada:
USA citizens have several options for working in Canada temporarily or transitioning to permanent residency. Below are the primary pathways available:
Temporary Work Permit Options
1. Professional Work Permit
Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA, formerly known as NAFTA), U.S. citizens working in specific professions may qualify for a work permit to work in Canada. This permit applies to over 60 professional occupations, including scientists, lawyers, engineers, and management consultants. This pathway generally requires a job offer in Canada but does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), simplifying the application process.
2. Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) Work Permit
If you are an executive, manager, or hold a specialized knowledge position at a company based in the U.S. and have worked for one year in the past three years, you may be eligible for an Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit if:
- Your company plans to expand into Canada by establishing a Canadian branch, affiliate, or subsidiary, or
- You are transferring to an existing branch in Canada.
This option provides a streamlined way for businesses to facilitate the transfer of essential personnel between U.S. and Canadian offices. It does not require an LMIA and is typically granted for an initial period of one year (for new start-ups) or up to three years, with extensions available. For ICTs, executive or senior managers often receive permits for longer durations, reflecting the business’s needs.
3. Investor Work Permit
The Investor Work Permit allows U.S. citizens who intend to make a substantial investment in Canada to obtain a work permit. This pathway can be ideal for entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and businesspeople planning to start or significantly invest in Canadian business ventures. Some key points for this pathway include:
- A requirement to demonstrate the investment’s economic benefit to Canada, typically through capital, job creation, or significant business activity.
- A minimum investment threshold is not specified, but it must be “substantial” enough to indicate a genuine business intention.
- Often involves business plans or proposals showing how the investment will positively impact the Canadian economy.
Contact us to speak with us at YA Law Corporation. We are a team of professional USA and Canadian Immigration lawyers, a Canadian immigration consultant, and a paralegal specializing in USA Immigration law with a combined experience of 40 years.