CETA work permits are LMIA-exempt options that let certain EU citizens work in Canada as investors, intra-company transferees, or listed service providers. Some short-term business trips are work-permit exempt (e.g., meetings, after-sales service) for up to 90 days in any 6 months. These rules live in CETA’s Chapter 10 and annexes and are implemented by IRCC under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
CETA At a Glance
- Who’s eligible? EU citizens fitting a CETA category: Short-term Business Visitor, Business Visitor for Investment, Investor, Intra-Company Transferee (ICT), Contractual Service Supplier (CSS), or Independent Professional (IP). UK nationals use the Canada-UK TCA, not CETA.
- Key steps: Confirm your CETA category → (if a permit is needed) employer submits Employer Portal offer + fee → apply online → receive eTA/visa with your permit if required.
- Typical stay limits: STBV up to 90/180; Investors up to 1 year (renewable); ICT senior/specialists up to 3 years (+ 18-month extension); ICT trainees 1 year; CSS/IP 12 months in any 24 months
- Core documents: Passport, IRCC forms + Employer Portal offer number (if permit-required), proof of category (e.g., corporate link, sector listing), resume/credentials, biometrics/medical if needed.
- Fees: Employer compliance fee (most LMIA-exempt cases) + IRCC work-permit and biometrics fees.
- Next step: Share your role + activity list; we’ll map the right CETA category and document checklist in a 15-minute consult.
What is CETA?
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is Canada’s trade agreement with the European Union. Beyond goods and tariffs, CETA includes a Temporary Entry for Business Persons chapter that lets eligible EU citizens enter Canada for specific business activities or obtain LMIA-exempt work permits under the International Mobility Program. It streamlines temporary entry only; it doesn’t create a direct path to permanent residence.
Categories
- Business Visitors (work-permit exempt): short stays for listed, non-hands-on activities (e.g., meetings, after-sales service), typically up to 90 days in any 6 months; no Canadian-source pay.
- Intra-Company Transferees (ICT): senior personnel, specialists, and graduate trainees moving within a multinational group.
- Investors: coming to establish, develop, or administer a substantial investment in Canada.
- Contractual Service Suppliers (CSS): employees of an EU firm delivering a contract in a listed service sector.
- Independent Professionals (IP): self-employed service providers in a listed service sector.
- Engineering & Scientific Technologists: Canada’s implementation recognizes certain 3-year technologist diplomas as equivalent to a university degree for eligibility purposes.
These categories and activity lists are set out in CETA Chapter 10 and its annexes (notably Annex 10-D for business visitors and Annex 10-E for service sectors).
Who qualifies? (By CETA category)
Short-term Business Visitors (work-permit exempt)
You can do listed, non-hands-on activities (e.g., meetings, research, marketing, trade fairs, taking orders, and certain after-sales training). No Canadian payroll; no sales to the public. Max 90 days in any 6 months. Carry proof of activity and employer ties abroad.
Business Visitors for Investment (work-permit exempt)
Senior staff setting up a Canadian entity during the pre/pre-early-investment phase. Stays are short (often within the 90/180 framework). Check any reservations in the annexes that might apply.
Investors (LMIA-exempt work permit)
Coming to establish/develop/administer a substantial investment. Typical validity up to 1 year, renewable if criteria continue to be met.
Intra-Company Transferees (LMIA-exempt work permit)
For senior personnel, specialists, and graduate trainees within the same corporate group. Senior/specialists: up to 3 years + possible 18-month extension. Trainees: 1 year.
Contractual Service Suppliers (CSS)
and Independent Professionals (IP)
Available only in sectors listed in Annex 10-E; Canada generally limits access to NOC 0/A occupations. Max 12 months in any 24. Bring a clear contract/scope, qualifications, and sector match.
📌 Note for UK nationals: You use the Canada–UK TCA, which mirrors CETA’s mobility chapter but is a separate agreement. GOV.UK
What CETA work options are not
- Not a PR pathway by itself. CETA covers temporary entry only. Move to PR via programs like Express Entry or PNPs.
- Not a travel-document waiver. If you need an eTA/visa, IRCC issues it with your initial work-permit approval; you don’t apply separately.
Employer & worker roles (IMP basics)
- Employer (most LMIA-exempt permits): Submit an offer of employment via the Employer Portal and pay the compliance fee before the worker applies.
- Unsure of the exemption? Canadian employers can request an IMWU opinion (for visa-exempt workers outside Canada) to confirm LMIA/work-permit exemptions.
Quebec note: If the hire is LMIA-exempt, the worker is also exempt from CAQ. (LMIA-based hires typically need a CAQ.)
How to apply
- Confirm your category & limits. Check length-of-stay, duties allowed, and any sector limits.
- Employer Portal step. Your employer submits the job offer under the right LMIA-exempt code + fee.
- Apply online. Pay government fees; give biometrics if required.
- Travel documents. IRCC issues your eTA/visa with the initial work-permit approval (no separate application).
- Port of entry rules. Since the late-2024 changes, most people already in Canada can’t apply at the border; apply online instead. Check if POE eligibility applies to you before planning.
- Passport validity. IRCC can’t issue a permit past your passport expiry; renew if needed.
Documents requirement
- Passport (valid beyond requested stay).
- IRCC forms + Employer Portal number (for permit-required cases).
- Proof of eligibility (e.g., corporate link for ICT; investment evidence; Annex 10-E sector match for CSS/IP; duties for STBV).
- Credentials/CV (note: Annex 10-C recognizes certain 3-year technologist diplomas as degree-equivalent for CSS/IP).
- Biometrics/medical if required.
Common pitfalls and how to fix them
- Doing “hands-on” work as a visitor. The STBV list is narrow; when in doubt, use the correct LMIA-exempt permit.
- Exceeding time caps. Track 90/180 (STBV), 12/24 (CSS/IP), 3y + 18m (ICT).
- Skipping Employer Portal. Most LMIA-exempt permits require the offer + fee before applying.
- Applying at the border when ineligible. POE rules are tighter; confirm first.
Remember: This isn’t legal advice; policies change. Check official sources or consult a licensed professional.
Would you like us to sanity-check your category, duties, and documents? Book a free consult and we’ll map the shortest compliant route.
Source: International.gc.ca
FAQs
Yes. CETA work-permit categories run under the International Mobility Program (IMP), so the LMIA step is waived. Your employer typically must use the Employer Portal and pay the compliance fee first.
Often no. Suppose your activity is on CETA’s short-term business visitor list (e.g., meetings, after-sales training) and you’ll stay within 90 days in any 6 months. In that case, you can be work-permit exempt, bring evidence of the activity and foreign employment.
Senior personnel/specialists: up to 3 years, with a possible 18-month extension; graduate trainees: 1 year. Plan to extend before expiry.
For ICTs, CETA includes an Understanding on spouses, and Canada facilitates open-work authorization where criteria are met. For other categories, spouses may qualify under IRCC’s general spousal policies; always check current rules.
No. If you apply from outside Canada, IRCC issues the eTA or visa automatically with your initial work-permit approval, no separate application or fee.
Usually, no, if you’re already in Canada, the rules tightened in late 2024. Most people should apply online. If you’re outside Canada and meet strict criteria, a POE application may still be possible.
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