September 22, 2017
CHANGES TO INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM FOR TEMPORARY WORKERS from EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Effective September 21, 2017, Citizenship and Immigration announced a new program for citizens of European Union (“EU”) member states by removing the requirement for Labour Market Impact Assessments in certain circumstances.
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (“CETA”) will facilitate the entry of certain business persons who seek to enter Canada for business purposes, including:
- Key personnel: including intra-corporate (company) transferees, investors, and business visitors for investment purposes;
- Contractual service suppliers and independent professionals; and
- Short-term business visitors.
Labour Market Impact Assessment exemption codes have been created to better facilitate the entry of business visitors from EU member states. Applicants may be processed at the port of entry, or they may apply from within Canada in certain circumstances.
While Romanian and Bulgarian citizens are not yet considered visa exempt, they must still apply from abroad for the time being.
For more guidance on how these changes may affect your business and immigration strategies, please contact one of our qualified immigration professionals.