Maple News reports that Canada offers an expedited path for certain foreign nationals to work in the country without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), thanks to longstanding international agreements. This exemption can be especially beneficial for employers looking to hire traders from eligible partner nations.
In general, Canadian work permits are divided into two types: LMIA-required and LMIA-exempt. An LMIA is a formal document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) verifying that a foreign worker will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market. However, various free trade agreements allow for exemptions to this requirement.
Employers hiring foreign nationals as traders can bypass the LMIA process if the worker is a citizen of one of the following six countries: the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, South Korea, or Peru. These exemptions are made possible through international trade agreements such as the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), and similar treaties Canada holds with the other listed nations.
CUSMA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), facilitates temporary labor mobility across North America. For example, U.S. citizens entering Canada under certain professional roles can apply for work permits without needing a visa or LMIA. Mexican citizens, on the other hand, now generally require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) unless they meet specific criteria set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
To be exempt from the TRV requirement, Mexican nationals must: arrive by air; be visiting for six months or less; and have held either a Canadian visa within the past decade or currently possess a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa.
To qualify as a trader under these agreements, foreign nationals must demonstrate the intent and capability to engage in substantial trade of goods or services between Canada and their country of citizenship. This broader interpretation ensures that a wide range of trading professionals—not just import/export executives—can benefit.
These LMIA exemptions reflect Canada’s commitment to facilitating international business and trade. For employers, it simplifies the hiring process. For foreign workers, it opens new doors to Canadian opportunities without the administrative delays typically associated with LMIA procedures.
As Canada continues to nurture its economic and diplomatic ties globally, programs like these support both skilled labour mobility and the ongoing demand for international expertise across key industries.