Canada Expands CPTPP Program: UK Joins with New Work Codes

Canada’s immigration authority (IRCC) has updated its work permit guidance under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The United Kingdom recently joined the international agreement, which allows citizens of certain countries to obtain a work permit without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) through special codes under the International Mobility Program (IMP).

What is CPTPP and who can take part

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is an international treaty between Canada and several other countries. Members of the agreement receive privileges when applying for work permits: their applications are assessed under paragraph R204 and fall under the International Mobility Program.

CPTPP member countries: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and Canada itself.

Which work categories the agreement covers

CPTPP covers four categories of temporary entry to Canada:

• Business visitors (no work permit required);
• Investors (administrative code T50);
• Intra-company transferees (administrative codes T-51, T-54, T-55);
• Professionals and specialists (administrative code T52).

How the LMIA exemption works

Citizens of CPTPP member countries can obtain a work permit without a labour market assessment if they meet the requirements of one of the LMIA-exemption codes. This works in two ways:

The first is through an employer willing to make you a job offer. The employer can submit an application for a permit if you meet the requirements of one of the CPTPP codes.

The second is on your own, if you meet the code’s criteria. In that case, you don’t need an employer: you apply yourself and indicate that you meet the requirements of a specific code.

What you need to apply

To get a work permit through CPTPP, you need to:

• Be a citizen of one of the member countries of the agreement;
• Meet the requirements of the chosen administrative code (age, experience, education, salary);
• Have a valid passport or residency document (Electronic Travel Authorization, ETA, or a temporary resident visa);
• Submit a work permit application.

Why this matters

CPTPP is one of the few paths to obtaining a Canadian work permit without employer sponsorship and without bypassing the labour market assessment process. The agreement also works in reverse: Canadians can use similar privileges in CPTPP member countries, working under the same simplified conditions.