As of Canada day 2020, updates were made to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) instructions as a result of the implementation of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Here are Information pertaining to the Canada US Mexico Agreement that you need to know

What is CUSMA for?

The CUSMA seeks to liberalize trade between the U.S., Mexico and Canada and abolish tariffs and other trade barriers. The Agreement opens up the three countries’ markets by ensuring that future laws will not create barriers to doing business.

The CUSMA reflects a preferential trading relationship initiated among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

Under the CUSMA, the U.S., Mexico and Canada are required to meet a number of obligations. Among them are the publication of a public information booklet on temporary entry under the CUSMA and the provision of statistical information. Given the growing public image of the CUSMA and the importance of sharing information with our CUSMA partners, it is crucial that data entered GCMS be as accurate and as complete as possible in order to meet our obligations related to statistics.

 

What CUSMA does?

CUSMA facilitates temporary entry for business persons who are citizens of the U.S., Mexico and Canada and who are involved in the trade of goods or services, or in investment activities.

CUSMA removes any need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for all business persons covered by the Agreement.

In the case of a business visitor, it ensures that there is no requirement for a work permit.

For professionals that are TRV exempt it expedites the application process by ensuring an application can be made at the port of entry (POE). Foreign nationals that require a temporary resident visa to enter Canada are still required to apply at a visa office prior to coming to Canada.

 

Who is covered by CUSMA?

The temporary entry provisions of Chapter 16 of the CUSMA are restricted to: citizens of the U.S., Mexico and Canada

The temporary provisions of the CUSMA does not apply to: citizens of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Permanent residents of the three countries.

 

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What requirements apply to professionals?

The following requirements apply:

Citizenship of the U.S. or Mexico;

Profession identified in Appendix 2 of CUSMA;

Qualification to work in that profession (degree or certification in a related educational program);

Pre-arranged employment with a Canadian employer;

Provision of professional level services in the field of qualification as indicated in the Appendix; and

Compliance with existing immigration requirements for temporary entry.

 

Where can a professional apply for a work permit?

Facilitated entry under the CUSMA allows a professional to apply at a POE. An application can also be made at a visa office before departing for Canada.

U.S. and Mexican citizens can also apply for professional status in Canada, after being authorized to enter Canada as temporary residents.

 

Here are the List of eligible professions under the CUSMA Professionals category

Accountant

Architect

Computer Systems Analyst

Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster

Economist

Engineer

Forester

Graphic Designer

Hotel Manager

Industrial Designer

Interior Designer

Land Surveyor

Landscape Architect

Lawyer

Librarian

Management Consultant

Mathematician (including statistician and Actuary)

Range Manager/Range Conservationalist

Research assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution)

Scientific Technician/ Technologist

Social Worker

Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist)

Technical Publications Writer

Urban Planner (including Geographer)

Vocational Counsellor

 

Medical/Allied Professional

Dentist

Dietitian

Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada)/ Medical Technologist (Mexico and the U.S.)

Nutritionist

Occupational Therapist

Pharmacist

Physician (teaching or research only)

Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist

Psychologist

Recreational Therapist

Registered Nurse

Veterinarian

 

Scientist

Agriculturist (including Agronomist)

Animal Breeder

Animal Scientist

Apiculturist

Astronomer

Astronomer

Biologist (including Plant Pathologist)

Chemist

Dairy Scientist

Entomologist

Epidemiologist

Geneticist

Geologist

Geochemist

Geophysicist (including Oceanographer in Mexico and the U.S.)

Horticulturist

Meteorologist

Pharmacologist

Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada)

Plant Breeder

Poultry Scientist

Soil Scientist

Zoologist

 

Teacher

College

Seminary

University

 

To learn more about CUSMA, visit the official site from canada.ca below:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/international-free-trade-agreements/cusma.html

 

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