International Mobility Program: Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

Overview of CETA for EU Citizens

The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) helps make trade and investment between Canada and the EU better. It makes it easier for business people to work for a short time in each other’s countries. This agreement helps businesses grow by getting rid of many taxes, letting them work on public projects, and making sure the rules are clear.

CETA lets you connect better with European partners. It makes it simpler to go to meetings, make deals, or handle investments. This helps businesses work together and grow together.

Eligibility Criteria

As you look into the different parts of the CETA International Mobility Program, it’s important to understand the eligibility criteria for different types of business personnel.

You’ll see that each category, including Business Visitors, Intra-Company Transferees, Investors, Independent Professionals, Contractual Service Suppliers, and Engineering and Scientific Technologists, has specific requirements that you must meet.

To make sure you follow the rules and have a smooth application process, you need to match your qualifications and plans with these criteria.

Business Visitors

When checking if you can be a business visitor under CETA, it’s important to know what specific activities you’re allowed to do while in Canada. These activities include going to trade fairs and providing after-sales services, without entering the local job market.

You must also know about the restrictions, including not being allowed to receive payment from Canadian sources and not being allowed to sell directly to the public.

These criteria make sure that your visit matches the intended temporary and non-competitive nature of the business visitor classification under the agreement.

Activities Allowed to CETA Business Visitors

CETA business visitors can do several activities in Canada:

1. Research and design new products or improvements.
2. Do marketing research to learn about Canadian markets.
3. Lead or join training seminars in your field.
4. Take part in trade fairs to show products or services.

Restrictions for CETA Business Visitors

CETA business visitors in Canada must follow certain rules. You can’t sell goods or offer services to the public. You also can’t get paid by a Canadian source.

You mustn’t make direct sales or provide services directly to the public. Make sure your activities strictly follow CETA’s rules.

Intra-Company Transferees

You’ll need to understand the eligibility criteria for intra-company transferees under CETA if you’re thinking about transferring senior personnel, specialists, or graduate trainees from your EU-based company to a Canadian branch.

Each of these categories has its own requirements that match the goals of making business operations smooth while following immigration policies.

It’s important to check if your employees meet these specific criteria before starting the transfer process to avoid legal problems and delays.

Senior Personnel

To be considered senior personnel under the CETA International Mobility Program, you must mainly lead the management of the organization or a major department with little guidance from top executives or the board of directors.

Your main duties are:

• Leading the planning and execution of key strategies.
• Handling organizational policies.
• Overseeing major projects.
• Making important decisions.

This role makes you a key player in shaping the future of the company.

Specialists

The Specialists category for Intra-Company Transferees under CETA is for employees with special skills that are important to your company.

Here’s an easy guide:

Requirement	Details	Duration
Employment	Worked at company for at least 1 year	Not applicable
Expertise	Must have key specialized knowledge	Needed
Role	Important for the company’s main activities	Core
Company Link	Transfer must be within the same company	Required
Application	Follow CETA rules	Specific

This helps ensure everything is done right and meets all the rules.

Graduate Trainees

Graduate trainees under the Intra-Company Transferees category of CETA must have a university degree. They come to Canada for a short time to improve their career skills or learn new business methods.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have a university degree.
• Must have worked for the sending company for at least one year.
• Must have a clear plan for career development or training.
• Must show they’ll return to their home country after training

Investors

Investors interested in the CETA International Mobility Program need to be actively involved in setting up, growing, or managing an investment in Canada with a large amount of money from the investor or their business. This shows that you play a key role in making the investment work well in the Canadian market.

To qualify, you must show that you play an important part in making big decisions that affect how the business does and how much money it makes. This active role sets you apart from other business people who might not be directly involved in running the investment.

Your business or the money put into it should be enough to help create or keep jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This helps make sure that your investment helps the Canadian economy, which is a main goal of CETA.

When getting your documents ready, make sure to include clear proof of your involvement and the money invested. Keep detailed records and have a strong business plan ready. Your application shows your dedication to strengthening economic connections between Canada and the EU.

Independent Professionals and Contractual Service Suppliers

As you explore the eligibility criteria under CETA for Independent Professionals and Contractual Service Suppliers, it’s important to know the difference between the general requirements and those specific to each category.

You’ll find that both categories require a university degree or professional qualifications and at least six years of experience in the relevant sector.

Contractual Service Suppliers must also be employees of an EU company with no establishment in Canada, adding an extra layer to consider in your assessment.

General Criteria

To qualify as an Independent Professional or Contractual Service Supplier under CETA, you need to:

1. Have a university degree or similar qualifications.
2. Have six years of professional experience.
3. Be working as a self-employed person or for a service company.
4. Ensure that your work in Canada is short-term and linked to a contract with a Canadian client.
   

Specific Criteria for Independent Professionals

To qualify as an Independent Professional under the CETA agreement, you need:

• a service contract in Canada,
• a university degree or similar qualifications, and
• at least six years of experience in your field.

This ensures you’re ready and can help Canada’s economy and strengthen international relationships.

Specific Criteria for Contractual Service Suppliers

Let’s look at the rules for Contractual Service Suppliers under the CETA agreement:

1. You need a contract to provide a service in Canada.
2. You must have a university degree or similar qualifications.
3. You should have at least six years of professional experience in your field.
4. You must work for an EU company that doesn’t have an office in Canada.

Engineering and Scientific Technologists

To understand your eligibility as an engineering or scientific technologist under CETA, you’ll need to evaluate specific academic criteria.

If you’re an engineering technologist, you must have at least a three-year post-secondary diploma in engineering technology combined with a minimum of five years of professional experience.

Similarly, as a scientific technologist, you should hold a three-year diploma in applied sciences and also show at least five years of relevant work experience.

Academic Criterion for Engineering Technologists

Engineering technologists who want to work in Canada under CETA need a three-year diploma in engineering technology and at least five years of related work experience. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Your diploma should be from a recognized school.
2. Your work experience must be related to what you studied.
3. You need to show proof of your education and work history.
4. This opportunity helps you grow in your career and become part of the community in Canada.
   

Academic Criterion for Scientific Technologists

To work in Canada under CETA, scientific technologists need a three-year college diploma in applied sciences and at least five years of work experience.

This ensures they’re ready to help Canada’s scientific community grow and innovate.

Application Procedures

When you’re applying for a CETA work permit, it’s important to know where to submit your application and understand the processing times involved.

Depending on your location, you’ll either need to go to a Canadian visa office abroad or, if you’re already in Canada, a port of entry or a Service Canada office.

Keep in mind that processing times can vary a lot, so it’s important to check the latest information specific to your application site.

Where to Apply for a CETA Work Permit

To get a CETA work permit, follow these steps:

1. Outside Canada: Find the nearest Canadian visa office in your EU country. Check if they have special rules or steps.
2. Inside Canada: Apply at a port of entry or a Service Canada office nearby. This is useful if you’re switching from a different visa or permit.
3. Documentation: Include all necessary documents with your application, like proof of EU citizenship, a job offer from a Canadian employer, and your professional qualifications under CETA.
4. Professional Advice: Think about talking to an immigration lawyer or a CETA expert. They can offer specific advice and help make your application process smoother.

CETA Work Permit Processing Times

CETA work permit processing times differ based on where you apply in Canada. It’s important to check these times often because they can change.

Office	Processing time
Visa Office in Paris	2 weeks. It’s quicker because they have a smooth process.
Visa Office in Berlin	3 weeks. This includes extra security checks.
Canadian Port of Entry	1-2 days. This can change depending on how busy they are and the availability of officers.
Service Canada Office	4 weeks. It takes longer because they do a thorough review.

Extending Work Permits Issued Under CETA

When you’re seeking to extend a CETA work permit, it’s important to provide specific documentation that supports your application.

You’ll need to submit a new contract or employment letter from a Canadian employer, along with evidence that your services remain necessary in Canada.

Evaluating changes in your job duties, employer details, or compensation since the initial permit was issued can significantly influence the eligibility for an extension.

Examples of Acceptable Documentation to Support an Extension

You must provide updated documents like a new contract or a job letter from your Canadian colleague to extend your CETA work permit. These documents prove that you still work in Canada and your employer needs you.

Include these items:

• Updated Contract or Employment Letter: This letter should list your job duties, your role, and how long you’ll work there.
• Proof of Work Performed: Show documents like reports, presentations, or emails that explain the work you have done and what you’re still doing.
• Letter from Employer: Your employer should write a letter saying why you need to stay longer and what good work you have done for the company.
• Pay Slips or Financial Records: Show recent pay slips or financial records to prove you’re still working and earning money in Canada.

These items will help show that you should keep working in Canada under CETA.

Additional Questions to Help Officers Determine Eligibility

To check if you can still have your CETA work permit extended, officers will look into changes in your job. These checks are important to make sure your job still fits the rules of the CETA agreement and helps with trade between Canada and the EU.

What They Check	Why It Matters
Job Duties Changes	Have your job tasks changed in ways that could impact your work permit?
Employer or Business Changes	Have there been big changes with your employer or their business that might affect your eligibility?
Salary or Compensation Changes	Has your pay changed in a way that shows you have a new job role or goes against the original work permit terms?

Officers will review these factors to make sure changes in your job don’t go against the goals of CETA. Knowing these details helps you get ready for the extension process and keeps your work in line with CETA rules.

Transition to Permanent Residence for CETA Workers

If you have a CETA work permit and want to stay in Canada permanently, you have several options. Here are some programs you can consider:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): You need to score well on a system that looks at your age, education, work experience, and how well you know English or French.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This program is good if you have worked in Canada for at least one year in a skilled job.
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): If your skills match what a certain province needs, they might choose you to stay and work there.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): If you have skills in a specific trade, this program could help you become a permanent resident.

Make sure to check the requirements for each program. Matching your skills with the right program can help you become a permanent resident and contribute to Canada’s community.