What is the Colombian trade agreement (FTA)? Are you a Colombian business looking to export/import your goods/services to Canada? Or a Colombian citizen wanting to work abroad and hone their skills in a new country where opportunities are vast. Canada has many opportunities for foreign nationals to come and work in Canada. Did you know Colombia signed the third Free Trade Agreement with Canada? It was signed in November 2008. This is Canada’s sixth FTA (Free Trade Agreement) with a country in the Americas.
One of the greatest benefits of the FTA as a business is the endless possibilities to expand your business to Canada.
- Eliminates tariffs imposed on Canadian Tariffs
- Easier export process
- Helps the Canadian Labour force (The ones producing the goods/services & those providing supportive activities)
- Economic boost
- Canadian Export Competitiveness
- Helps improve living standards for Canadians
- Help the overall production chain for both Canada and the other parties involved
- Intellectual property protected
On the other hand, another benefit of the FTA (Free trade agreement) for Colombian citizens wanting to work, is that Canadian employers can hire Colombian citizens/residents without having to apply for an LMIA (Labour Market Index Assessment), and consequently apply for a Work Permit through two different streams:
Professionals/Technician
In order to qualify under the professionals/technician stream, you need to find a legitimate job offer from a Canadian Employer. Professionals will fall under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) levels 0 or A, or soon will be known as TEER Categories as of November 16, 2022 (TEER 0 or TEER A). These two main job categories are as follows:
TEER Category 0 formerly known as NOC 0 are management positions. For all positions under this category, click here.
TEER Category A F.K.A NOC A is a professional designation that requires a university degree. For all positions under this category, click here.
Professionals Not Covered
All Health, Education, and Social Services occupations and related occupations:
- Managers in Health, Education, Social & Community Services
- Physicians, Dentists, Optometrists, Chiropractors, Other Health Professions
- Pharmacists, Dietitians & Nutritionists
- Therapy & Assessment Professionals
- Nurse Supervisors & Registered Nurses
- Psychologists/Social Workers
- University Professors & Assistants
- College & Other Vocational Instructors
- Secondary/Elementary School Teachers & Counsellors
All Professional occupations related to Cultural Industries, including:
- Managers in Libraries, Archives, Museums and Art Galleries
- Managers in Publishing, Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and Performing Arts
- Pharmacists, Dietitians & Nutritionists
Other Professional occupations
- Recreation, Sports, and Fitness Program and Service Directors
- Managers in Telecommunication Carriers
- Managers in Postal and Courier Services
- Managers in Manufacturing
- Managers in Utilities
- Managers in Construction and Transportation
- Judges, Lawyers and Notaries except Foreign Legal Consultants
Positive List—Technicians that are covered
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Technologists and Technicians
- Construction Inspectors and Estimators
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians (including electronic service technicians)
- Electricians (includes industrial electricians)
- Plumbers
- Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics
- Aircraft Instrument, Electrical and Avionics Mechanics, Technicians and Inspectors
- Underground Production and Development Miners
- Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, and Testers
- Graphic Designers and Illustrators
- Interior Designers
- Chefs
- Computer and Information System Technicians
- International Purchasing and Selling Agents
Supervisors in the following:
- Machinists and Related Technicians that are covered Occupations
- Printing and Related Occupations
- Mining and Quarrying
- Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
- Mineral and Metal Processing
- Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities
- Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing
- Plastic and Rubber Products Manufacturing
- Forest Products Processing
- Textile Processing
Contractors and Supervisors in the following:
- Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations
- Pipefitting Trades
- Metal Forming
- Shaping and Erecting Trades
- Carpentry Trades
- Mechanic Trades
- Heavy Construction Equipment Crews
- Other Construction Trades
- Installers, Repairers and Servicers
- Machinists and Related Technicians that are covered Occupations
Intra-Company Transferees
For instance, to qualify, you must be working in a Colombian company transferring to a Canadian company that is a parent company, affiliated to the Colombian company, or a branch subsidiary. Additionally, It also includes the Management Trainee on Professional Development, which is where an employee needs to have a post-secondary degree and plan to work in a Canadian company to obtain experience and knowledge for a Senior Leadership position in Colombia.
Do you want to find out if you are eligible to apply under the FTA (Free Trade Agreement), as a business or as a worker?
