Unlocking LMIA-Exempt Work Permits for European Nationals Under CETA

Canada’s trade agreement with the European Union – the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) offers faster, smoother pathway European Union (EU) citizens to work in Canada. If you are citizen of one of the 27 eligible EU countries, you may qualify for an LMIA-exempt CETA work permit, which bypasses the often-lengthy Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.

Eligible Countries

EU countries whose nationals can benefit from this streamlined process include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden

Under CETA, there are four main categories of LMIA-exempt work permits available to citizens of eligible EU countries.

Category	Who’s Eligible?	Employer Requirements	Permit Duration	Extendable?
Intra-company transferees	Executives, supervisors, specialist workers, graduate trainees	Must be multinational with a qualifying relationship	Up to 3 years (execs/specialists); 1 year (trainees)	Yes—up to 18 months (not for trainees)
Investors	Investors or executives involved in substantial investments	Must have made or be making a substantial investment	1 year	Renewable up to 2 years
Professionals	Contractual service providers or self-employed professionals	Must be employed by a Canadian employer	12 months within a 24-month period	Yes—up to 24 months total
Technologists	Engineering or scientific technologists	Must be engaged by a Canadian entity	12 months within a 24-month period	Yes—but cannot exceed 24 months of total duration

Intra-company transferees include executives, supervisors, specialist workers, and graduate trainees transferring within a multinational company that has a qualifying relationship with its Canadian branch. Executives and specialists can receive permits of up to three years, while graduate trainees are limited to one year; extensions are possible for up to 18 months (except for trainees).

Investors are those making or managing substantial investments in Canada, with an initial one-year work permit that can be renewed for up to two additional years.

Professionals, such as contractual service providers or self-employed specialists, must be employed by a Canadian employer and may work for up to 12 months within a 24-month period, extendable to a total of 24 months. Lastly,

Technologists—specifically engineering or scientific technologists—must be engaged by a Canadian entity and can work for up to 12 months within a 24-month period, also extendable but not exceeding a total of 24 months

Application Steps: What You need to Know

1. From the Employer’s Side:

• Submit a job offer via the Employer Portal.

• Pay the CAD 230 employer compliance fee (may change) under the International Mobility Program.

• Provide the offer of employment number for your employee’s application.

2. From the Applicant’s Side:

• Confirm your eligibility under one of the CETA categories.

• Complete the required forms.

• Gather documents—this may include educational credentials, professional licenses, contracts, or proof of specialized experience.

• Pay the CAD 150 processing fee (may change), and possibly CAD 85 (may change) for biometrics, depending on your nationality.

• Submit your application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), typically from outside Canada.

Processing times vary but generally range from one week to three months.

What About Spouses or Common-Law Partners?

• Spouses or common-law partners of intra-company transferees may be eligible for an Open Work Permit (OWP) matching the validity of the primary permit.

• Spouses of professionals, technologists, or investors under CETA are not eligible for CETA-based OWPs, but may qualify for other OWP streams if they meet general criteria and maintain valid temporary status in Canada

  
  

  Why Choose a CETA Work Permit?

• No LMIA required—streamlines the process and reduces employer burden.

• Faster processing compared to LMIA-based pathways.

• Flexible permit durations with options to extend.

• Ideal for highly skilled professionals, corporate transferees, investors, and technologists.

Admire Immigration’s Expertise

We can help you or your organization navigate the CETA work permit process smoothly:

• Assess your eligibility under the appropriate CETA category.

• Assist with compiling documentation and submitting applications—both employer-side and applicant-side.

• Provide guidance on spousal open work permits and long-term planning.