Countries / Territories
Related offices
The situation
A trade agreement between Canada and the European Union is expected to streamline mobility for several categories of employees, investors and business visitors.
A closer look
On September 21, 2017, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union provisionally entered into force. Most of the provisions apply immediately and the remainder will enter into force once all EU Member States have completed ratification procedures. Some of the key provisions and their benefits are discussed below.
Benefits for intracompany transferees
CETA facilitates entry and stay for intracompany transfers of specialists, senior personnel and graduate trainees. Such transferees will no longer be subject to quotas, as were previously applicable in the European Union, or labor market tests.
The CETA provisions are similar to current intracompany transferee provisions in Canada, with the addition of graduate trainees, and reflect the provisions of the EU intracompany transferees Directive 2014/66/EU (although the latter still enables Member States to determine volumes of admission).
Benefits for business travelers
CETA creates a short-term work permit exemption for business visitors, including those traveling for investment purposes, staying for up to 90 days in a six-month period. Business visitors must not engage in selling goods to the general public, may not receive remuneration from the host destination, and may not provide services to consumers.
Benefits for self-employed professionals
Once related agreements are concluded, CETA will allow self-employed EU professionals (with some exceptions) to apply for entry to Canada for pre-arranged employment without a labor market test, if they meet minimum education and experience criteria. Previously, self-employed professionals faced significant hurdles to employment in Canada.
Canadian nationals entering the European Union under the CETA will also not be subject to labor market tests or quotas.
No long-term work solution
Notably, CETA does not address long term work-related migration, and it specifically excludes jobseekers and individuals aiming to apply for citizenship, residence or permanent employment.
What this means for employers and foreign nationals
Qualifying Canadian and EU nationals and their employers are advised to contact their immigration professionals to ensure maximum benefits under CETA.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Countries / Territories
Related offices
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elizabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travellers should be aware of and how travellers can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.
Media mentions
El director Miguel Jiménez analiza el programa de viajes de negocios a corto plazo de México con GBTA en la Conferencia LATAM 2024 en Ciudad de México.
Media mentions
Director Claire Cumiskey joins the Breakfast Business podcast to discuss Ireland’s Employment Permits Bill.
Blog post
Senior Associate Evan Tutton and Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar discuss how organisations in the UK employing Student visa holders must ensure immigration compliance, and what steps Student visa holders should take.
Blog post
This blog covers the UK Government's evaluation of the Graduate visa route's effectiveness, its potential for abuse and the impact on the country's higher education system and economy, as well as the impending review by the MAC.
Media mentions
Partner Dan Brown co-authored a whitepaper on how the U.S is better situated to face workforce challenges because of immigration.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotland’s hospitality sector following the UK government’s increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elizabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travellers should be aware of and how travellers can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.
Media mentions
El director Miguel Jiménez analiza el programa de viajes de negocios a corto plazo de México con GBTA en la Conferencia LATAM 2024 en Ciudad de México.
Media mentions
Director Claire Cumiskey joins the Breakfast Business podcast to discuss Ireland’s Employment Permits Bill.
Blog post
Senior Associate Evan Tutton and Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar discuss how organisations in the UK employing Student visa holders must ensure immigration compliance, and what steps Student visa holders should take.
Blog post
This blog covers the UK Government's evaluation of the Graduate visa route's effectiveness, its potential for abuse and the impact on the country's higher education system and economy, as well as the impending review by the MAC.
Media mentions
Partner Dan Brown co-authored a whitepaper on how the U.S is better situated to face workforce challenges because of immigration.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotland’s hospitality sector following the UK government’s increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.