NAFTA Professionals visa — open or closed?

[thejackson5]

Hey there,

It seems I qualify for a NAFTA Professionals visa to work in Canada. I've been trying to find answers to the following questions but haven't been able to. Several of them revolve around the degree to which the visa functions as an open work permit.

1. I have worked as a chemistry technologist for many years but do not have a degree. Technologist is the only position listed that doesn't require a degree. What should serve as proof of my eligibility then? Most people just bring a copy of their degree and transcript. Should I bring my CV? Is it critical to get letters from my employers confirming my titles, dates of employment, and duties? I don't know what to bring so that I'm not simply asking them to take me for my word.
2. Does the job offer have to be for a full-time position?
3. Can the position be hourly rather than salaried? If so, is there either a theoretical or practical (i.e. the border agent will say no) minimum number of hours per week?
4. If the terms of my position change from those stated on the job offer I furnish (e.g. change in title, reduction/increase in hours, reduction/increase in pay), is the visa still valid?
5. If I am let go from the position, can I remain in the country? If I am offered a position at another company, can I accept it under the same visa? If so, does it also have to be for a chemistry technologist role?

Thank you very much for your time.

 

[scylla]

Hey there,

It seems I qualify for a NAFTA Professionals visa to work in Canada. I've been trying to find answers to the following questions but haven't been able to. Several of them revolve around the degree to which the visa functions as an open work permit.

1. I have worked as a chemistry technologist for many years but do not have a degree. Technologist is the only position listed that doesn't require a degree. What should serve as proof of my eligibility then? Most people just bring a copy of their degree and transcript. Should I bring my CV? Is it critical to get letters from my employers confirming my titles, dates of employment, and duties? I don't know what to bring so that I'm not simply asking them to take me for my word.
2. Does the job offer have to be for a full-time position?
3. Can the position be hourly rather than salaried? If so, is there either a theoretical or practical (i.e. the border agent will say no) minimum number of hours per week?
4. If the terms of my position change from those stated on the job offer I furnish (e.g. change in title, reduction/increase in hours, reduction/increase in pay), is the visa still valid?
5. If I am let go from the position, can I remain in the country? If I am offered a position at another company, can I accept it under the same visa? If so, does it also have to be for a chemistry technologist role?

Thank you very much for your time.

1. Bring your CV. Yes, you'll also want to have experience letters from your past employers confirming your title and work experience, as well as pay slips / tax returns.
2. It can technically be part time but you may get more questions at the border.
3. Yes, it can be hourly.
4. You will be given a closed work permit for a specific role. If you change jobs you will need a new work permit. Your employer should definitely not pay you less than stated in the job letter. That will be problematic for your work permit / status and may give the apperance that the job is fake and is really just a means for you to remain in Canada.
5. You can remain in Canada. No, you cannot accept a position with another company. If you want to work for another company, you will need to get a new work permit.

 

[thejackson5]

1. Bring your CV. Yes, you'll also want to have experience letters from your past employers confirming your title and work experience, as well as pay slips / tax returns.
2. It can technically be part time but you may get more questions at the border.
3. Yes, it can be hourly.
4. You will be given a closed work permit for a specific role. If you change jobs you will need a new work permit. Your employer should definitely not pay you less than stated in the job letter. That will be problematic for your work permit / status and may give the apperance that the job is fake and is really just a means for you to remain in Canada.
5. You can remain in Canada. No, you cannot accept a position with another company. If you want to work for another company, you will need to get a new work permit.

Thanks for the informative reply. Definitely a different permit than I had understood! I suppose my only remaining question is, if my hours are reduced from those stated in my work offer letter, is my permit then null?

 

[scylla]

Thanks for the informative reply. Definitely a different permit than I had understood! I suppose my only remaining question is, if my hours are reduced from those stated in my work offer letter, is my permit then null?

I don't believe you will have any issues if your hours are reduced.

While NAFTA allows you to be LMIA exempt, it's still a closed work permit - meaning the work permit you are issued is tied to a specific employer and a specific job with that employer. It's not an open work permit like the IEC.

 

[thejackson5]

Thanks much!

While I have you — if you have any idea about the following, that would be a HUGE help:
1. Do you know if I'd be eligible for any provincial healthcare after 6 months? I'd have a 3-year permit, if that makes a difference.
2. Apart from getting me Canadian experience points, does this permit have any pathway or other benefit towards PR/eventual citizenship? As in, is someone who has been working in Canada for 10 years under NAFTA Professionals any closer to PR than someone who has only been for 1?

Cheers, kind stranger. I really appreciate your time, whomever you are.

 

[scylla]

Thanks much!

While I have you — if you have any idea about the following, that would be a HUGE help:
1. Do you know if I'd be eligible for any provincial healthcare after 6 months? I'd have a 3-year permit, if that makes a difference.
2. Apart from getting me Canadian experience points, does this permit have any pathway or other benefit towards PR/eventual citizenship? As in, is someone who has been working in Canada for 10 years under NAFTA Professionals any closer to PR than someone who has only been for 1?

Cheers, kind stranger. I really appreciate your time, whomever you are.

1. When you would be eligible for health care depends on the province where you would be working. You'll need to look at the rules for that province.
2. Short answer is no. There is no NAFTA-specific immigration stream. Being on a NAFTA-specific work permit gives you no special benefits or path to immigration vs. other work permits. You still need to have enough points to be selected thought EE or meet the requirements and be selected through a PNP program.