Maple News reports that Canada is exploring the possibility of easing temporary access for foreign professionals and business visitors from several countries, including India, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Mercosur nations, through a series of upcoming free trade negotiations.
If concluded successfully, these negotiations could lead to streamlined work authorization pathways for eligible individuals, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for temporary business entry into Canada. The participating Mercosur countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The Canadian government has signaled its willingness to address long-standing barriers that currently limit temporary work opportunities. These include economic needs tests (where employers must prove no Canadian is available for the job) and numerical quotas on foreign workers. According to Maple News, removing or softening such requirements could significantly benefit professionals seeking Canadian work experience.
These proposed changes are currently in the consultation phase. The federal government opened the floor to public feedback on the terms and scope of the negotiations for each trade agreement. These consultations closed on January 27, 2026.
Central to the negotiations is the issue of “temporary entry for business persons,” including individuals seeking to engage in business activities, investment, or contracted work in Canada. Should these provisions be adopted, they would apply only to foreign nationals fitting specific criteria outlined in the final agreements.
Thailand explicitly emphasized how current work permit obstacles hinder mobility, citing difficulties in securing temporary authorization. However, similar concerns were raised across all the prospective agreements, each highlighting the need to reduce friction caused by labor market tests and worker caps.
This move is part of Canada’s broader goal to align economic strategy with immigration policy, encouraging greater mobility of skilled talent and business investors. While negotiations are still in early stages, Maple News will continue to monitor developments as Canada aims to make its skilled labor policies more globally competitive.
If successful, these trade agreements may pave the way for professionals in high-demand sectors to find new and faster pathways to contribute to Canada’s economy on a temporary basis.