Am I Eligible for Comprehensive & Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)?

Danielle Beckett LMIA Exempt Work Permits

What is the CPTPP “Professionals and Technicians” Category?

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement that allows temporary entry of certain business persons to work in Canada. The CPTPP aims to enhance opportunities for Canadian businesses and offers categories for business visitors, intra-company transferees, investors and technicians and professionals. Although the program covers all four categories, we will detail a popular category that peaks the interest of many employers — technicians and professionals. If an applicant is eligible, a work permit under this category does not involve an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) and for any employer who has dealt with the LMIA process — it is a big relief! That being said, an overseas national must meet certain eligibility in order to qualify. We’ll take a closer look at what these program requirements entail.

Keep in mind that basic eligibility does not detail all necessary information and requirements to make an application and it is always encouraged to hire the appropriate legal representation to make certain that all requirements are satisfied. 

1. Pre-arranged Contract

Whether you’re an employer requiring more information about this category or an overseas national wanting to apply – a Canadian job offer or contract is mandatory. As the employer, it is your responsibility to have a genuine contract or employment offer with a foreign national. As a foreign national, proof of work contract is a critical piece of evidence to provide when making an application. 

2. Citizenship

Only certain citizens qualify and it is important you are an eligible citizen. Currently, you must be a citizen of: 

  • Australia
  • Mexico
  • Japan

If you are a permanent resident of Australia you may also apply.

3. Basic Eligibility

Whether you’re planning to enter Canada as a technician or professional, your basic eligibility must include the following: 

  • Proof of ability in speaking English or French
  • Proof of being offered a wage/salary similar to other people in your field of work and meeting the median wage rate of your occupation
  • Theoretical and Practical specialized knowledge of your occupation AND either; 
  • evidence of licensing or certification only if your occupation is regulated in a particular province
  • evidence of study related to your occupation and paid work experience 

4. Specific Criteria 

Criteria will differ depending on your job offer and whether you’re considered a technician or professional. Here we will cover the differences in more detail.

Professionals

Professionals need to further meet the following eligibility:

  • Proof of having a degree of at least 4 years of study unless it’s not necessary for your occupation (additional requirements may apply depending on your occupation)
  • At least 2 years of paid work experience in your occupation

It’s important to note that a bachelor’s degree in Australia may only take 3 years

Technicians

Technicians need to further meet the following eligibility:

  • A degree requiring at least 2 years of study, unless specified in your occupation (additional requirements may apply depending on your occupation)
  • At least 4 years of paid work experience in your occupation

5. What occupations are eligible and how are they assessed?

Here’s the tricky part — keep in mind that only certain occupations will make you eligible and these occupations are assessed by their NOC code. To put it simply, a NOC code is a 4-digit number used to classify the skill set of occupations. Immigration Canada considers “skilled” jobs those with NOC 0, A or B. 

Due to the length of listed “skilled” occupations we’ve decided to split them up based on NOC code and country of citizenship. Different occupations may only be eligible to Japan, Mexico or Australia citizens. To determine what NOC code you fall under, we recommend seeking the appropriate legal counsel to determine if your job contract meets the appropriate NOC code. Assuming the wrong NOC code can mean a failed application!

If you believe you may be eligible after reviewing the listed occupations and already have a work contract with a Canadian employer, feel free to give us a call at 604-265-4966 or email danielle@newroots.ca

PROFESSIONALS

CITIZENS OF AUSTRALIA AND MEXICO

All NOC-0 and NOC-A occupations are allowed, except:

  • health, education and social services occupations and related occupations
  • judges and notaries
  • managers in postal and courier services
  • managers of telecommunications carriers
  • occupations related to cultural industries
  • recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors

CITIZENS OF JAPAN

Japanese citizens falling under “professionals” meet the same qualifiers as above, with an added occupation excluding;

  • Researchers (except those working at an academic entity)

TECHNICIANS

CITIZENS OF AUSTRALIA

The following occupations that are listed as NOC B are allowed:

  • aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
  • architectural technologists and technicians
  • civil engineering technologists and technicians
  • computer and information systems technicians (occupations include elements of NOC A)
  • construction inspectors and estimators
  • drafting technologists and technicians
  • electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  • electricians
  • engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
  • graphic designers and illustrators
  • industrial designers
  • industrial engineering technologists and technicians
  • industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  • interior designers
  • international purchasing and selling agents
  • land survey technologists and technicians
  • mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
  • oil and gas well drillers, servicers and testers
  • plumbers
  • technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
  • supervisors in the following areas:
    • food, beverage and tobacco processing fields
    • forest products processing field
    • machinists and related occupations
    • mineral and metal processing
    • mining and quarrying
    • oil and gas drilling and service
    • petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
    • plastic and rubber products manufacturing
    • printing and related occupations
    • textile processing
  • Contractors and supervisors in the following areas:
    • carpentry trades
    • electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
    • heavy construction equipment crews
    • installers, repairers and servicers
    • mechanic trades
    • metal forming
    • other construction trades
    • pipefitting trades
    • shaping and erecting trades 

CITIZENS OF JAPAN

Keep in mind that having a Japanese associate’s degree or an equivalent or higher education is required.

The following occupations that are listed as NOC B are allowed:

  • aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
  • architectural technologists and technicians
  • civil engineering technologists and technicians
  • computer and information systems technicians (occupations include elements of NOC A)
  • construction inspectors and estimators
  • drafting technologists and technicians
  • electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  • engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
  • graphic designers and illustrators
  • industrial designers
  • industrial engineering technologists and technicians
  • industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  • interior designers
  • international purchasing and selling agents
  • land survey technologists and technicians
  • mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
  • oil and gas well drillers, servicers and testers (excluding operators)
  • technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
  • supervisors in the following areas:
    • carpentry trades
    • electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
    • food, beverage and tobacco processing
    • forest products processing
    • heavy construction equipment crews
    • installers, repairers and servicers
    • machinists and related occupations
    • mechanic trades
    • metal forming
    • mineral and metal processing
    • mining and quarrying
    • oil and gas drilling and service
    • other construction trades
    • petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
    • pipefitting trades
    • plastic and rubber products manufacturing
    • printing and related occupations
    • shaping and erecting trades
    • textile processing 

CITIZENS OF MEXICO 

The following occupations that are listed as NOC B are allowed:

  • civil engineering technologists and technicians
  • computer and information systems technicians (occupations include elements of NOC A)
  • construction inspectors and estimators
  • electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  • electricians
  • engineering inspectors, testers and regulatory officers
  • graphic designers and illustrators
  • industrial engineering technologists and technicians
  • industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  • interior designers
  • mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
  • contractors and supervisors in the following areas:
    • electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
    • heavy construction equipment crews
    • installers, repairers and servicers
    • other construction trades

If you have any further questions about Immigrating to Canada, please get in touch, call +1 (604) 265-4966 or email.