The Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) — known in the United States and Mexico as the USMCA, and sometimes still called NAFTA (though NAFTA was replaced in 2020) — includes Chapter 16, which creates a streamlined temporary work permit pathway for citizens of Canada, the United States, and Mexico who work in designated professional occupations. Under CUSMA, eligible US and Mexican professionals can obtain a work permit in Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), making it significantly faster and less expensive than the standard work permit route. This guide explains who qualifies, how to apply, and what to expect.
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 professional worker provisions in CUSMA Chapter 16 are substantially similar to those in NAFTA Annex 1603.
The CUSMA (USMCA) work permit is authorized under IRPR s.204(a) as an LMIA-exempt work permit under the International Agreements category. The regulatory basis in Canada is found in Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) and the CUSMA treaty itself.
Key advantage: No LMIA required. Standard LMIA applications take 2–5 months and cost the employer $1,000 CAD. CUSMA permits skip this entirely — the employer still needs to offer you a job, but they don't need to prove no Canadian was available for it.
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.
Canadian citizens seeking to work in the US or Mexico also benefit from CUSMA — but this guide focuses on the inbound Canada pathway.
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 CBSA officer, who issues the work permit on the spot if approved. This is the most common route for US professionals due to the convenience and speed.
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)
- ✓ Application fee ($155 CAD)
- ✓ Biometrics if required ($85 CAD — first-time applicants from most countries)
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. CUSMA is LMIA-exempt under IRPR s.204(a). |
| Can it lead to PR? | CUSMA work permit holders accumulate Canadian work experience for Express Entry (CEC). After 1 year of skilled work, you may become eligible for PR through Canadian Experience Class. |
| Family members | Spouse/partner may apply for an open work permit under IRPR s.205(c)(ii) if your occupation is TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. |
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?+
Yes — the US calls this TN (Trade NAFTA) status. The CUSMA Chapter 16 professional worker provisions are nearly identical to the old NAFTA Annex 1603 provisions. Canada calls it a CUSMA work permit; the US calls it TN; the concept and eligible profession list are the same.
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?+
Your employer needs to provide a job offer letter describing your role, salary, duration, and that the position falls within a CUSMA eligible occupation. Unlike LMIA applications, the employer does not need to submit a separate government application or prove no Canadians were available.
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?+
Yes. Work experience gained on a CUSMA work permit in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation counts toward Canadian Experience Class (CEC) eligibility in Express Entry after 1 year of full-time equivalent work.
Important: This tool provides general information based on publicly available Canadian immigration law (IRPA). Results are not a determination of admissibility. Only a CBSA officer at a port of entry can make admissibility decisions. For complex legal situations, professional guidance may also be beneficial.