Canada UK Trade Agreement – CUKTCA
The new Canada U.K. trade agreement (CUKTCA) allows U.K. nationals to live and work in Canada. Introduced on April 1, 2021, post-Brexit, for those previously under CETA. Canadian citizens could not process work visas under CETA after the U.K.’s exit from the EU on January 1, 2021. Applicants allowed to stay in Canada for up to 12 months in a 24-month period, with possible extensions.Top of Form CUKTCA and CETA are almost identical, with a new processing code. Both are LMIA-exempt programs, easing the hiring process for U.K. nationals.
CUKTCA Programs:
Business Visitors:
- Short-term and for investment purposes.
- Maximum stay of 90 days in a six-month period.
- Approved activities include: Meetings and consultations, Research and design, Marketing research, Training seminars, Trade fairs and exhibitions, Sales, Purchasing, After-sales or after-lease service, Commercial, transactions; Tourism personnel, Translation and interpretation.
- Short-Term Business Visitors:
- Cannot sell goods or services to the public.
- Prohibited from receiving remuneration in Canada.
- Limited engagement in service supply per Annex 10-D.
- Business Visitors for Investment:
- Must hold a managerial or specialist position.
- Responsible for enterprise setup, no direct public transactions.
- No remuneration allowed from a Canadian source.
Investors:
- Qualifications include establishing, developing, or administering an investment.
- Allowed stay in Canada for up to one year, extendable.
Contractual Service Suppliers and Independent Professionals:
- Must be EU citizens engaged in temporary service supply for up to 12 months.
- Some engineers and scientific technologists can enter Canada without a university degree.
Specific Criteria for Engineering and Scientific Technologists:
- Stay in Canada for up to 12 months, extendable under certain circumstances.
- Criteria include citizenship, a signed contract, and educational qualifications.
Specific Criteria for Contractual Service Suppliers:
- Engaged in temporary service supply as an employee.
- Requires at least one year of employment and three years of professional experience.
Specific Criteria for Independent Professionals:
- Engaged in temporary service supply as a self-employed person.
- Requires at least six years of professional experience in the relevant sector.
Note: “The information herein is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice”
