x
Contact us

Contact Information

1 (403) 452-9515

1 (800) 932-1190

Learn how we can help you

More Options...

CETA: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Canada and EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - CETA

On September 21, 2017, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into effect between Canada and the European Union (EU). The free trade agreement between Canada and EU member states eliminates many of the tariffs between the two members and brings with it increased opportunities for businesses and professionals to engage in business. While CETA came into effect on September 21, 2017, many of the EU member states are yet to ratify the agreement in their countries.

CETA is meant to facilitate entry for business professionals who are citizens of Canada and EU member states by removing the requirement for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to be obtained before the person can legally work in Canada. New LMIA exemption codes have been created to apply to business visitors from EU member states. These exemptions will be granted under the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Applications can be processed at a Canadian port-of-entry or be applied from within Canada if they meet the requirements set out in section 199 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Business Visitors

For short-term business visitors, the maximum length of stay for investment purposes is 90 days in any six-month period, unless otherwise eligible for longer durations.

All CETA business visitors may seek entry to Canada for a number of regular visits related to a specific project. These visits may take place over a period of weeks or months. Consideration is given pursuant a Visitor Record to facilitate entry and to reduce requests for additional information.

The list of eligible activities for business visitors is different under CETA than it is under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). They include the activities listed below:

  • Meetings and consultations
  • Research and design
  • Marketing research
  • Training and seminars
  • Trade fairs and exhibitions
  • Sales
  • Purchasing
  • After-sales or after-lease service
  • Commercial transactions
  • Tourism personnel
  • Translation and interpretation

Restrictions on Business Visitor Eligibility under CETA

Short-term business visitors cannot:

  • Engage in selling a good or service to the general public
  • Receive remuneration directly or indirectly from a source in Canada
  • Be engaged in the supply of a service, except as provided in Annex 10-D

Intra-Company Transfers

CETA sets conditions whereby people may be transferred to work in Canada within the same affiliated Canada company. The provisions in CETA for Intra-Company transfers remain largely similar to the existing Intra-Company transfer program, however, CETA adds graduate trainees to the list of excepted roles.

Under CETA, all intra-company transferees must:

  • Have been employed by an enterprise of, or have been partners in an enterprise of, an EU member state for at least one year; and
  • Be temporarily transferred to an enterprise (that may be a subsidiary, branch or head company of the enterprise) in Canada.

Graduate trainee applicants must also:

  • Possess a university degree; and
  • Be temporarily transferred to an enterprise in Canada for career development purposes or to obtain training in business techniques or methods

Investors

CETA provides provisions that allow eligible investors to stay in Canada for up to one year, with the possibility of extending their stay at the discretion of an officer.

The investor provisions of CETA apply to applicants who:

  • Will establish, develop or administer the operation of an investment in a capacity that is supervisory or executive;
  • Are the investor; and
  • Are employed by an enterprise that has committed or in the process of committing a substantial amount of capital.

Contractual Service Suppliers and Independent Professionals

Under CETA, applicants in both categories may stay in Canada for a cumulative period of not more than 12 months in any 24-month period or for the duration of the contract, whichever is less:

Applicants in both categories of professionals must be:

  • Citizens of a European Union member state;
  • Engaged in the temporary supply of a service for a period not exceeding 12 months (if longer than 12 months, the commitments in CETA will only apply for the initial 12 months of the contract); and
  • Contracted to provide a service in accordance with the Annex 10-E concordance table.

They must also possess:

  • A university degree or a qualification demonstrating knowledge of an equivalent level; and
  • Professional qualifications if required to practice an activity pursuant to the laws or requirements in the province or territory where the service is supplied.

For more information on CETA please click here.

Navigating Recent Changes to Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in Canada

Canada has recently introduced significant changes to its immigration policies, impacting the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. These updates make it substantially ...

Read More

Global Talent Stream: Fast-Tracking Tech Workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Canada’s Global Talent Stream (GTS), a crucial component of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), is a good option to address the urgent need for high-skilled tech workers ...

Read More

Canada's Temporary Residents Grew 46%: Do You Want To Move To Canada?

Canada is experiencing the highest population growth since 1957, driven mostly by immigration, according to Statistics Canada. International migration accounted for 94.5% of ...

Read More

How CUSMA Can Help Americans Work in Canada

CUSMA facilitates cross-border labour mobility for Americans to work in Canada by streamlining regulations, removing barriers that previously hindered the process and expediting ...

Read More

What Is Intra-Company Transfer To Canada?

Canada is a popular destination for skilled professionals from all over the world. One way to move to Canada is through an intra-company transfer (ICT) visa. This visa allows employees ...

Read More

Canada Launches Open Work Permit For H-1B Visa Holders

Canada Announced 6 New Tech Immigration Initiatives To Attract Global Tech Talent Starting July 16, 2023, the Canadian government will introduce a new immigration stream to allow ...

Read More

Featured Resource

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Thank you for your interest in receiving our Monthly Immigration Newsletter. Please take a moment to complete the form below to confirm your registration. ...

View Resource

Ackah Law has provided services to n-gen People Performance Inc. for over 5 years. From the initial consultation of our needs through the evolution and growth of our business, Evelyn and the Ackah team of lawyers and professionals have been integral support in our growing business in the United States.

– Adwoa K. Buahene M.A., Managing Partner, n-gen People Performance Inc.

View All Testimonials