NAFTA Professional Work Permit

In order to be eligible for a Canadian NAFTA Professional Work Permit, you must:

• Be a citizen of the U.S. or Mexico
• Be one of the professions as listed in the eligible professions list
• Be qualification to work in that profession (with a degree or certification in a related educational program)
• Agree to work in the professional field in which you are qualified in for the duration of your stay
• Have pre-arranged employment with a Canadian employer
• Be able to enter Canada in accordance with existing immigration requirements

You must also be a separate entity from the Canadian employer who offers you employment. This means that you likely won’t be eligible if you have substantial control over, or ownership of the employer in question.

Additionally, you can’t qualify for the NAFTA Professional Work Permit scheme if you’re planning to work as a self-employed individual in Canada. This means that you cannot respond to adverts looking to obtain employment or contracts, solicit business in the Canadian labour market, or incorporate your own company for your own self-employment.

However, you may instead be eligible for the NAFTA Investor or Trader program if you’re looking to work under a self-employed basis in Canada.

For more information about the NAFTA Professional Work Permit, the eligibility requirements, and how to apply for it, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our expert legal advisers on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.

You must be able to provide the following documents as part of your NAFTA Professional Work Permit application:

• Proof of American or Mexican citizenship
• Confirmation of pre-arranged employment with any of the following:
  • A signed contract with a Canadian enterprise, or
  • Evidence of an offer of employment from a Canadian employer, or
  • A letter from the American or Mexican employer on whose behalf the service will be provided to the Canadian enterprise
• Documentation which provides the following information:
  • The proposed employer in Canada
  • Your profession
  • Details of the job position
• Educational qualifications or alternative credentials required for the position:
  • Post-secondary diplomas or certificates should have been earned in the US, Mexico or Canada, while baccalaureate or licenciatura degrees can be from anywhere in the world
• Evidence that you meet the minimum education requirements for your profession

For more information about the NAFTA Professional Work Permit, the eligibility requirements, and how to apply for it, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our expert legal advisers on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.

You can apply for a NAFTA Professional Work Permit from one of three places:

• At a Canadian port of entry, such as an airport
• A Canadian visa office located outside of Canada, prior to your departure
• Within Canada, if you are already in the country as a temporary resident

Costs and Processing Times

NAFTA Professional Work Permits cost CAN$155 per person.

If you’re applying outside of Canada or from within Canada, the time it takes for work permit applications to be processed can vary based on where you’re applying from and how busy the service is.

However, the application process generally takes between 1 week and a few months.

You can check estimates on processing times using the Canadian government’s online processing time checker.

How Long is the NAFTA Professional Work Permit Valid For?

NAFTA Professional Work Permits are valid for up to three years, and may be extended for three years at a time. There are no limits on the number times a NAFTA Professional Work Permit can be extended, provided that you still meet all the necessary requirements and that employment is still considered to be on a temporary basis.

For more information about the NAFTA Professional Work Permit, the eligibility requirements, and how to apply for it, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our expert legal advisers on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.