Short answer: a CUSMA work permit lets eligible US and Mexican citizens work in Canada in a designated profession without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), known in the US and Mexico as the USMCA and the successor to NAFTA (replaced on July 1, 2020), includes a chapter on the temporary entry of business people that, in Canada, is implemented as an LMIA-exempt work permit. Skipping the LMIA generally makes this route faster and cheaper than a standard employer-driven work permit, though the Canadian employer still has to extend a genuine job offer, submit an offer of employment through IRCC's Employer Portal, and pay the employer compliance fee. This guide explains who qualifies, which professions are listed, how to apply at the border or a visa office, and what fees and conditions to expect. It is educational and not legal advice; a border officer or visa officer makes the final decision, and rules change, so confirm current details on canada.ca.
What Is CUSMA? (And How It Replaced NAFTA)
CUSMA is Canada's name for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that replaced NAFTA on July 1, 2020. For immigration purposes, the temporary-entry provisions for business people carried over the structure of the old NAFTA chapter, so practitioners and employers who knew NAFTA work permits will find CUSMA work permits very familiar. The treaty covers four categories of business people: professionals, intra-company transferees, traders, and investors. This guide focuses mainly on the professional category, which is the most commonly used by US and Mexican workers taking a job with a Canadian employer.
In Canada, the CUSMA (USMCA) work permit is issued under the International Mobility Program (IMP) as an LMIA-exempt work permit tied to an international agreement (the relevant exemption is set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, generally cited as the R204 / s.204(a) international-agreements exemption). What this means in practice: there is no LMIA, but this is still an employer-specific stream, so a Canadian employer must support the application. Always confirm the current regulatory citation and requirements on canada.ca, as program details are periodically updated.
Key advantage: no LMIA required. A standard LMIA can take many weeks to process (check ESDC for current times) and costs the employer $1,000 CAD per position. A CUSMA work permit skips the LMIA entirely. The employer still has to offer you a real, qualifying job and, for this LMIA-exempt stream, submit an offer of employment through IRCC's Employer Portal and pay the $230 employer compliance fee before you apply. What they do not have to do is prove that no Canadian or permanent resident was available for the role.
Who Is Eligible? US and Mexican Citizens Only
CUSMA work permits are available to citizens (not just permanent residents) of the United States and Mexico. Permanent residents of the US or Mexico who are citizens of a third country do not qualify. The key word is citizenship: a green-card holder who is a citizen of, say, India or the Philippines cannot use the US-CUSMA route, even if they have lived in the US for decades. To qualify in the professional category you also need a pre-arranged job with a Canadian employer in one of the listed professions, and you must hold the specific degree, licence, or experience that the profession requires.
There is one practical difference in how US and Mexican citizens apply. Citizens of both countries can apply for a CUSMA work permit, but according to IRCC, US citizens admitted to Canada as visitors may apply from inside Canada only under the professional or intra-company transferee categories, while Mexican citizens admitted as visitors may apply from inside Canada under any CUSMA category. Many US professionals simply apply at the port of entry on arrival. Canadian citizens can also use CUSMA to work in the US or Mexico, but this guide focuses on the inbound Canada pathway. Because these instructions change, verify the current rules for your nationality and category on canada.ca before you travel.
Eligible Professions: The CUSMA Profession List
CUSMA Annex 16-A lists specific professions. Only these professions qualify, and each has minimum educational or credential requirements. The list includes:
| Profession | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Accountant | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or CPA, CA, CGA, or CMA designation |
| Architect | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or state/provincial licence |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or post-secondary diploma + 3 years experience |
| Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or 3 years experience + training |
| Economist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Engineer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or state/provincial licence |
| Forester | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or state/provincial licence |
| Graphic Designer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or post-secondary diploma + 3 years experience |
| Hotel Manager | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree in hotel/restaurant management; or post-secondary diploma + 3 years experience |
| Industrial Designer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or post-secondary diploma + 3 years experience |
| Interior Designer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or post-secondary diploma + 3 years experience |
| Land Surveyor | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or state/provincial/federal licence |
| Landscape Architect | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Lawyer (including Notary in Quebec) | LL.B., J.D., LL.L., B.C.L.; or state/provincial licence |
| Librarian | M.L.S. or B.L.S. (for which another baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree was a prerequisite) |
| Management Consultant | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or equivalent professional experience (5 years) |
| Mathematician (including Statistician) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Range Manager / Range Conservationalist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary institution) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientific Technician/Technologist | Possession of technical degree or meet training requirements + work in field alongside a professional |
| Social Worker | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Technical Publications Writer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or post-secondary diploma + 3 years experience |
| Urban Planner (including Geographer) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Vocational Counsellor | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Dentist | D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontología; or state/provincial licence |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Dietitian | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or state/provincial licence |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Medical Laboratory Technologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or post-secondary diploma + 3 years experience |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Nutritionist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Occupational Therapist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or state/provincial licence |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Pharmacist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or state/provincial licence |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Physician (teaching/research only) | M.D. or Doctor en Medicina; or state/provincial licence |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree; or state/provincial licence |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Psychologist | State/provincial licence; or Licenciatura degree (for Mexico/US citizens) |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Recreational Therapist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Registered Nurse | State/provincial licence; or Licenciatura degree |
| Medical/Allied Professionals: Veterinarian | D.V.M., D.M.V., Doctor en Veterinaria; or state/provincial licence |
| Scientist: Agriculturist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Animal Breeder | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Animal Scientist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Apiculturist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Astronomer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Biochemist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Biologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Chemist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Dairy Scientist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Entomologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Epidemiologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Geneticist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Geologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Geochemist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Geophysicist (including Oceanographer in Mexico and USA) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Horticulturist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Meteorologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Pharmacologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Plant Breeder | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Poultry Scientist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Soil Scientist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Scientist: Zoologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Teacher: College | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Teacher: Seminary | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
| Teacher: University | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree |
Use the NOC Finder to identify your occupation's Canadian NOC code and confirm whether your role falls within a CUSMA-eligible category.
How to Apply: Port of Entry or Visa Office
CUSMA work permit applications can be made in two ways:
Option 1: Port of Entry (Most Common for US Citizens)
US citizens can apply at a Canadian land border crossing or airport when entering Canada. You present your job offer letter, credentials, and supporting documents to a border services officer, who can issue the work permit on the spot if approved. This is the most common route for US professionals because of the convenience and speed. Before you arrive, your employer should already have submitted the offer of employment through IRCC's Employer Portal and paid the $230 employer compliance fee; the officer will look for the associated offer-of-employment number. Approval is never guaranteed: the officer decides whether you meet the CUSMA requirements and whether your role genuinely fits a listed profession.
Option 2: Canadian Visa Office (Required for Mexican Citizens)
Mexican citizens require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada in most cases. They must apply at a Canadian visa office before travelling to Canada. The CUSMA work permit application is typically bundled with the TRV application.
Documents Required at Application
- ✓ Valid passport (proof of citizenship, must be US or Mexican)
- ✓ Job offer letter from Canadian employer (describing position, salary, duration, location)
- ✓ Proof of credentials (degree, diploma, professional licence, transcripts as applicable)
- ✓ Resume or CV showing relevant work history
- ✓ Work permit application form (IMM 1295)
- ✓ Work permit application fee ($155 CAD)
- ✓ Biometrics if required ($85 CAD per person, $170 CAD family maximum; verify on IRCC)
- ✓ Employer side: an offer of employment submitted through IRCC's Employer Portal and the $230 CAD employer compliance fee paid by the employer (this is not a worker fee and is done before you apply)
Fees and forms change. Confirm the current work permit fee, biometrics fee, employer compliance fee, and required forms on canada.ca before you apply, and note that an officer may ask for additional documents to confirm your profession, credentials, and the genuineness of the job offer.
Validity, Renewal, and Staying in Status
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Validity | Typically 1–3 years, tied to the duration of the employment arrangement. Officers have discretion. |
| Renewal | Renew from within Canada or at a port of entry before expiry. No limit on how many times you can renew. |
| Employer-specific | CUSMA permits are employer-specific and role-specific. Changing employers requires a new permit. |
| LMIA required? | No. The CUSMA work permit is LMIA-exempt under the International Mobility Program (R204 international-agreements exemption). The employer still submits an offer of employment and pays the $230 employer compliance fee. |
| Lost status? | A worker who loses status generally has 90 days to apply to restore it, with a restoration fee on top of the work permit fee. Verify current fees and timelines on IRCC and consider professional advice quickly. |
| Can it lead to PR? | A CUSMA work permit is temporary and does not by itself grant permanent residence, but the Canadian work experience you gain in a skilled (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) job can help you qualify later, for example through the Canadian Experience Class in Express Entry. Eligibility depends on meeting all program criteria; an officer decides. |
| Family members | In many cases a spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit and accompanying children can study, but the current rules on which workers' families qualify have been narrowed and continue to change. Confirm eligibility on canada.ca before relying on it. |
Check your visa requirements first
Use the Visa Checker to confirm whether your nationality requires a TRV for Canada, and which work permit categories you qualify for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CUSMA the same as TN status in the US?+
They are closely related. In the US, the equivalent for professionals is generally called TN (Trade NAFTA) status, and the CUSMA professional provisions carry over the structure of the old NAFTA Annex 1603 provisions. The concept and the eligible profession lists are very similar, but the two countries administer their own programs separately and may interpret or apply the lists differently, so confirm Canada's current requirements on canada.ca for the inbound Canada pathway.
Can a US green card holder (not US citizen) use CUSMA?+
No. CUSMA work permits require citizenship of the US or Mexico, not just permanent residence. A US permanent resident who is a citizen of another country does not qualify.
Does my employer need to do anything for a CUSMA work permit?+
Yes. There is no LMIA, but because this is an LMIA-exempt stream under the International Mobility Program, your employer still has to do two things before you apply: submit an offer of employment through IRCC's Employer Portal and pay the $230 employer compliance fee. They also provide a job offer letter describing your role, salary, duration, and how the position fits a CUSMA-eligible profession. What they do not have to do (unlike an LMIA) is prove that no Canadian or permanent resident was available. The employer compliance fee is paid by the employer and cannot lawfully be passed on to you.
Can I be self-employed on a CUSMA work permit?+
Generally no. CUSMA work permits are intended for employment arrangements with a Canadian company. Self-employment and independent contractor scenarios are more complex, consult an immigration lawyer.
Does CUSMA work permit count for Express Entry?+
Generally yes. Skilled work experience gained while on a CUSMA work permit in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation can count toward Canadian Experience Class (CEC) eligibility in Express Entry, which usually requires at least one year of qualifying Canadian work experience. CUSMA itself does not grant permanent residence; meeting all Express Entry criteria and being invited still applies, and an officer decides. Confirm the current requirements on canada.ca.
How much does a CUSMA work permit cost in total?+
For the worker, the main IRCC fees are the work permit application fee of $155 CAD and, if biometrics are required, $85 CAD per person (to a $170 CAD family maximum). Separately, the employer pays a $230 CAD employer compliance fee when they submit the offer of employment. There is no $1,000 LMIA fee because CUSMA is LMIA-exempt. Fees can change, so verify the current amounts on the IRCC fee list before applying.
How long does a CUSMA work permit take to process?+
When a US citizen applies at the port of entry and is approved, the permit can be issued the same day. When applying online or through a visa office (which Mexican citizens generally do), processing times vary by location and workload. IRCC publishes estimated processing times that change frequently, so check the current figure on canada.ca rather than relying on a fixed number.
Which professions qualify, and what if mine is not on the list?+
CUSMA covers a fixed list of professional occupations, each with its own minimum education or credential requirement (see the table above). If your occupation is not on the list, you cannot use the CUSMA professional category, but you may still qualify under another stream, such as an intra-company transfer, another LMIA-exempt category, or an employer-supported LMIA work permit. A licensed immigration lawyer or a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (CICC) can help you identify the right route.
What happens if I want to change employers or my permit is expiring?+
A CUSMA work permit is employer-specific and role-specific, so moving to a new employer normally requires a new work permit (with a new offer of employment and compliance fee from the new employer) before you start. You can apply to renew or extend from inside Canada before your permit expires; there is generally no fixed cap on the number of CUSMA extensions, but you must continue to meet the requirements. If you lose status, you usually have 90 days to apply for restoration. Verify current rules and fees on canada.ca.
Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.