If you are from Colombia and you are thinking about migrating to Canada via work, we recommend you to read the following blog where you will find information about the FTA and how depending on your profession this could help you. 

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In order to come to work in Canada, it is necessary to get a job with an employer who has a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which means that the employer can bring workers from outside Canada without affecting the domestic labour market, in other words, he/she would not be taking a job away from a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. However, there are exemptions to this LMIA. These exemptions, among others, may come from the free trade agreements that Canada has signed with several countries, including Colombia. 

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This means that thanks to the Canada-Colombia FTA, Colombian citizens and permanent residents whose professions and trades are covered by such treaty may be exempted from the LMIA. It must be taken into account that, in the case of professionals, the evaluation is made to know if the profession is covered based on a negative list; this means that, if the profession is not contemplated in the list of the Treaty, then I am covered by the same and I can seek employment in Canada without the need of a LMIA.

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This benefit applies to Colombian citizens and Colombian residents with technical or professional careers. In order for you to apply for this benefit, first you must have a Canadian employer and second you must have technical or university studies. Some of the technical or professional studies are:

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• Electricians, Plumbers, Contractors, Chefs, Cooks, Construction Inspectors, etc. 

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Just as there is a list of technicians or professionals that are eligible for this category, there is a list of professions that are NOT eligible to apply through an LMIA Exemption. In this case, if you have any of the following professions, you must apply through an LMIA:

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• Medical Area, Bookstore Professionals, Publishing, Creative Area, Sports Recreation, Communications Manager, Postal Services Manager, Construction and Transportation Manager, Lawyers, Judges, etc.

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Please note that by applying through an LMIA Exemption, by meeting the work experience requirements (depending on the province) you may be able to apply for residency in Canada. In addition, this alternative allows you to come with your family to Canada (Spouse/Partner and children), which allows your Spouse/Partner to apply for an open work permit.

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Immiland will be happy to assist you with your visa application at the following link.

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If you would like to know if your profile qualifies for this path, our consultants will be happy to evaluate your profile in a personalized way and provide you with tools so that you can focus on your job search. 

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If you want to know more about this topic we invite you to watch our Youtube video.

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With love,

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Immiland.

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