What is a CPTPP work permit?
The CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) is a trade deal between Canada and 11 other countries. It has work permit rules built in, so citizens of partner countries can work in Canada without an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment, the test that shows no Canadian could fill the job).
These permits are part of Canada’s International Mobility Program, which covers work permits that don’t need an LMIA.
CPTPP work permits at a glance
Key takeaway
Your citizenship decides which CPTPP categories you can use. Two people with the same job offer can have different options, depending on their passport.
Which countries are in CPTPP?
Canada applies the CPTPP work permit rules to citizens of 11 partner countries. Each country joined on a different date, shown below.
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Australia · December 30, 2018
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Japan · December 30, 2018
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Mexico · December 30, 2018
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New Zealand · December 30, 2018
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Singapore · December 30, 2018
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Vietnam · January 14, 2019
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Peru · September 21, 2021
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Malaysia · November 29, 2022
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Chile · February 20, 2023
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Brunei · July 12, 2023
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United Kingdom · September 1, 2026
What about Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has negotiated to join the CPTPP, but it is not yet a member in force for Canada. Until it is, Costa Rican citizens cannot use CPTPP work permits.
Which CPTPP work permit can you get?
CPTPP has four work permit categories, plus a spouse permit. Each one covers a different set of countries. Pick a tab to see who qualifies.
Code T50. For people who have invested, or are actively investing, a substantial amount in a Canadian business that they will develop and direct. There is no minimum dollar figure. The officer judges whether the amount is substantial for that type of business, and you usually need a controlling interest.
- Open to citizens of: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Australian permanent residents also qualify.
- Not covered: Malaysia and New Zealand.
- First permit: up to 1 year, and it can be extended.
- Where to apply: IRCC recommends applying before you travel.
Codes T51, T55 and T54. For staff moving from a company in a CPTPP country to a related company in Canada. You need at least 1 year of full-time work with that company in the last 3 years.
- Executives and managers (T51): Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and the United Kingdom.
- Specialists (T55): the same countries, except Malaysia.
- Management trainees (T54): Chile only.
- Not covered: Singapore and Vietnam.
- Permit length: up to 3 years at first, then renewals of up to 2 years. The maximum is 7 years for executives and managers and 5 years for specialists.
Australian and New Zealand permanent residents also qualify. How company relationships, specialized knowledge and new-office transfers work is explained in our guide to transferring staff to Canada.
Code T52. For people with a job offer from a Canadian employer in an occupation listed for their country. Professionals work in TEER 0 or 1 jobs (management and degree-level roles). Technicians work in TEER 2 or 3 jobs (technical and skilled roles). TEER is the skill level Canada gives each job in its National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- Professionals: Australia, Brunei (energy-sector roles only), Chile, Japan, Malaysia (26 listed occupations), Mexico, Peru and the United Kingdom (listed occupations).
- Technicians: Australia, Chile, Japan, Mexico and Peru.
- Not covered: New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam.
- First permit: up to 1 year, and it can be extended.
Code T53. An open work permit for the spouse or common-law partner of some CPTPP workers. “Open” means your partner can work for almost any employer in Canada.
- All four categories: citizens of Australia, Chile, Japan and Mexico, and Australian permanent residents.
- Transferees only: citizens of Brunei and the United Kingdom.
- Executives and managers only: citizens of Malaysia.
- Not available: New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, and spouses of business visitors.
See the spouse section below for details.
Business visitors don’t need a work permit at all. Citizens of all 11 partner countries, plus Australian and New Zealand permanent residents, can come for meetings, research, sales and similar activities for up to 6 months at first, as long as they are not entering the Canadian job market. Read our business travel guide before you book.
What can citizens of each CPTPP country use?
Find your citizenship below to see your options at a glance. “Transferee” means moving within your own company group. All 11 countries can also send business visitors.
Widest access
You can apply as
Investor, transferee, professional or technician. Australian permanent residents qualify too, and Chile also has management trainees.
Spouse open work permit
Yes, in all four categories.
All four, no spouse permit
You can apply as
Investor, transferee, professional or technician.
Spouse open work permit
No.
Three categories
You can apply as
Investor, transferee or professional. UK professionals are limited to listed jobs; Brunei to energy-sector roles.
Spouse open work permit
Spouses of transferees only.
Transferees and professionals
You can apply as
Transferee (executives and managers only) or professional in one of 26 listed jobs.
Spouse open work permit
Spouses of transferring executives and managers only.
Transferees only
You can apply as
Transferee. New Zealand permanent residents qualify too.
Spouse open work permit
No.
Investors only
You can apply as
Investor.
Spouse open work permit
No.
Moving from a specific country? See our guides for Australia, Singapore, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
Do you qualify as a CPTPP professional or technician?
The professionals and technicians category (T52) is the most used CPTPP route, and the most detailed. You need to meet every point below.
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Covered citizenship
Your country must be covered for professionals or technicians. Check the country overview above.
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A listed occupation
The job must be on the list for your country. Professionals work in TEER 0 or 1 jobs; technicians in TEER 2 or 3 jobs.
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Education
Professionals need a post-secondary degree of at least 4 years. Technicians need a post-secondary or technical diploma of at least 2 years. Australian and UK qualifications are assessed under special rules.
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Paid work experience
Professionals need at least 2 years of paid experience in the field. Technicians need at least 4 years.
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Prevailing wage
Your pay must at least match what Canadian workers earn in that job and region. Housing and travel allowances don’t count.
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Licensing
If the job is regulated in the province, you need the Canadian licence or certification. Some jobs need an exam after you arrive.
Where applications often go wrong
Title vs. real duties
The problem
A job called "consultant" or "analyst" may not match a listed occupation. Officers compare the duties, not the title.
What to do
Write the offer around the real duties, and match them to the NOC description for the listed occupation.
Excluded occupations
The problem
For most countries, jobs in health, education and social services are excluded, along with some legal, postal, telecom and cultural roles.
What to do
Check your country's list first. If your job is excluded, look at other work permit routes.
Short lists for some countries
The problem
UK citizens have no technician route, and UK and Malaysian professionals are limited to listed jobs. Brunei covers energy-sector roles only.
What to do
Confirm the exact occupation is listed for your citizenship before the employer submits the offer.
What's new for British citizens?
Since September 1, 2026, British citizens can use CPTPP work permits in Canada. That opens four routes: business visitors, investors, transferees and professionals.
The professionals route covers a set list of TEER 0 and 1 occupations, including roles in finance, engineering, IT and science. There is no technician route for UK citizens under CPTPP. Your UK degree is generally accepted for the education test if your Canadian employer provides a supporting letter.
Spouses of UK transferees can get an open work permit under CPTPP. Spouses of UK investors and professionals can’t, so they need another option.
The Canada–UK Trade Continuity Agreement is still in force and has its own work permit categories. Depending on your role, one agreement may suit you better than the other. Our guide to moving to Canada from the UK covers the wider picture.
How does the application work?
Most CPTPP permits follow the same four steps. The employer acts first, then you apply.
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1
Confirm your category
Check that your citizenship is covered for the category, and that your job is on the list for your country.
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2
Employer submits the offer
The Canadian employer submits the job offer in IRCC's Employer Portal and pays the $230 employer compliance fee. You then receive an offer-of-employment number.
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3
Apply for the permit
If your country is visa-exempt, you can usually apply at the port of entry when you arrive. If you need a visitor visa, apply before you travel. Investors should apply before travelling.
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4
Arrive and start work
Bring originals of your degree, experience letters and job offer. The officer checks them and issues a permit tied to your employer.
Moving staff within the same company group? The steps are similar, but the evidence is different. Our staff transfer guide explains what officers check. Employers hiring from abroad can also read our guide to hiring foreign workers in Canada.
Can your spouse work in Canada?
Some CPTPP permits let your spouse or common-law partner work too. The spouse permit (code T53) is an open work permit, so your partner can work for almost any employer. Your partner doesn’t need to be a citizen of a CPTPP country; what counts is your citizenship and your category.
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Australia, Chile, Japan and Mexico
Spouses of investors, transferees, professionals and technicians. Spouses of Australian permanent residents also qualify.
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Brunei and the United Kingdom
Spouses of transferees only.
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Malaysia
Spouses of transferring executives and managers only.
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Not available
New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, and spouses of business visitors in any country.
Your spouse’s permit usually ends on the same date as yours. If the spouse permit doesn’t apply to you, your partner may still qualify under Canada’s general family work permit rules, explained on our International Mobility Program page.
Common mistakes that lead to refusals
CPTPP permits skip the LMIA, but officers still check every requirement. These are the problems we see most often.
Wrong citizenship for the category
Why it hurts
A Singapore or Vietnam citizen cannot apply as a professional, and a New Zealand citizen cannot apply as an investor. The application is refused no matter how strong the file is.
What works instead
Check the country overview first, then choose the category your passport actually covers.
Duties that don't match the listed job
Why it hurts
If the job description reads like a different occupation, or like a lower-skill role, the officer can find it is not on your country's list.
What works instead
Describe the real duties and match them to the NOC description of a listed occupation.
Pay below the prevailing wage
Why it hurts
The officer compares your salary with the Job Bank median for that job and region, and with what the employer pays others in the same role.
What works instead
Check the Job Bank wage for the job and city before the offer is submitted, and set the salary at or above it.
Weak proof of education or experience
Why it hurts
Vague reference letters, missing dates or unpaid work can leave you short of the 2 or 4 years you need.
What works instead
Get letters that show dates, duties, hours and pay, and bring your original degree or diploma.
An investment that isn't "substantial"
Why it hurts
A small or minority stake, or money that isn't committed yet, often fails the investor test.
What works instead
Show a controlling interest, funds that are irrevocably committed, and a business that is really operating.
Can a CPTPP work permit lead to permanent residence?
A CPTPP work permit is temporary. It lets you work in Canada, but it does not give you permanent residence (PR).
Skilled work you do in Canada as an employee, in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job, can later count toward the Canadian Experience Class (one of the Express Entry programs) or a provincial nominee program. For the Canadian Experience Class you need at least 12 months of full-time skilled work in Canada within the last 3 years.
Investors should plan carefully. IRCC does not count self-employment toward the Canadian Experience Class, and people who own or control the business they work for are generally treated as self-employed. If you plan to run your own business, compare other routes early, such as the C11 owner-operator work permit and provincial entrepreneur streams.
Be realistic
No work permit guarantees PR. Selection rules and cut-off scores change often, so plan your PR route at the same time as your work permit.
Already covered by another agreement?
Mexico. Mexican citizens can use both CPTPP and CUSMA. For professionals, CUSMA is usually the broader option. Our CUSMA work permit guide explains how it works.
United States. The US is not part of CPTPP. US citizens use CUSMA instead; see the same CUSMA guide.
European Union. EU citizens use CETA, Canada’s trade agreement with the EU. Read our CETA guide for EU companies.
Frequently asked questions
No. CPTPP permits are LMIA-exempt, so your employer doesn’t have to advertise the job or prove no Canadian could fill it. The employer still submits your job offer through IRCC’s Employer Portal and pays the $230 compliance fee.
Only if you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country. Your employer must submit the job offer first, and you should bring every supporting document with you. If you need a visitor visa, you must apply before you travel. IRCC recommends that investors apply before travelling in all cases.
Usually not. CPTPP permits are based on citizenship. The exceptions are Australian permanent residents, who can use most categories, and New Zealand permanent residents, who can come as business visitors or transferees.
Not freely. Your permit is tied to one employer. To switch, the new employer must submit a new job offer, and you need a new permit before you start working there.
Yes, if you still meet the requirements. Your employer submits a new job offer, and you apply online before your current permit expires. Transferees have a maximum total stay of 5 or 7 years, depending on their role.
Not yet for work permits. Costa Rica has negotiated to join, but it is not a member in force for Canada, so Costa Rican citizens can’t use CPTPP permits today.
No. They come from different trade agreements, with different country and occupation lists. Mexican citizens can use either one, and the better fit depends on the job.
It depends on where you apply. At a port of entry, the officer decides on your application when you arrive. Online processing times vary by country and change often, so check IRCC’s current processing times before you plan your start date.
Final Thoughts
CPTPP gives citizens of 11 countries a way to work in Canada without the LMIA test. But your citizenship decides which categories are open to you, and the occupation lists are strict.
Check your category, your job and your evidence before your employer submits the offer. Getting those right is what makes the rest of the application simple.
