GATS Work Permits for U.S. Citizens: LMIA-Exempt Options
A&M Canadian Immigration Law Corporation
GATS Work Permits for U.S. Citizens: LMIA-Exempt Options
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) is a World Trade Organization treaty that allows certain foreign service providers to work temporarily in Canada without an LMIA.
Who Qualifies under GATS?
U.S. citizens may be eligible if they fall into one of the following categories:
- Business Visitors – attending meetings, negotiations, or setting up a commercial presence (no entry to labour market).
- Intra-Company Transferees – executives, managers, or specialists transferred from a U.S. branch to a Canadian one.
- Professionals – individuals contracted to provide services in Canada in a sector covered by Canada’s GATS commitments.
- Contractual Service Suppliers / Independent Professionals – consultants or specialists working under a Canadian service contract.
Key Benefits
- LMIA-exempt → Faster processing than LMIA-based permits.
- Covers service sectors Canada has committed under WTO.
- Applies to both short-term assignments and multi-year contracts.
Canada’s Commitments to the GATS
