Under various global trade agreements with Canada, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has established programs to facilitate the entry of eligible foreign workers. In these programs, employers are exempted from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.

One such agreement is the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). Under CETA, IRCC streamlines the entry process for eligible business persons who are citizens of Canada and EU member states, waiving the requirement for LMIA. The following are the four sub-categories:

Business Visitors:

CETA business visitors can enter Canada for regular visits related to a specific project over weeks or months.
Contractual Service Suppliers and Independent Professionals:

Citizens of European Union member states.
Engaged in temporary service supply for up to 12 months.
Professional qualifications as required by laws or regulations in the relevant province or territory.
Investor Category:

Applicants involved in establishing, developing, or administering an investment.
Employment by an enterprise committing a substantial amount of capital.
One-year duration with possible extensions.
Intra-Corporate (Company) Transferee:

Employees of an EU enterprise temporarily transferred to Canada.
Categories include senior personnel, specialists, and graduate trainees.
Additionally, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) aims to liberalize trade among the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. It facilitates temporary entry for business persons from these countries engaged in trade, services, or investment activities, eliminating the need for LMIA and expediting application processes.

For intra-company transferees, whether under CETA or NAFTA, the criteria include current employment with a multinational company, transfer to a qualifying relationship enterprise in Canada, and undertaking specialized work. Work permit durations vary, with initial permits typically lasting one year, and renewals contingent on meeting specific criteria, such as the continuous provision of goods or services and the establishment of a staffed office.