How to Get a Canadian Work Visa from Mexico

If you’re a Mexican citizen thinking of living and working in Canada, there is no time better than the present to make the move. From better job opportunities to higher-paid annual leave, Mexicans want to know how they can get their hands on a Canadian work visa from Mexico.

According to Trading Economics, the unemployment rate in Mexico has reached its highest point since 2016, and this isn’t because of a lack of educated or skilled workers. In fact, 86.5% of Mexicans do have some sort of higher education, meaning that the problem is the lack of jobs found in the country.

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) program offers a wide range of job opportunities for Mexicans looking to move to Canada from Mexico or the U.S. Join us as we take a look at how you can receive your work permit from Mexico through CUSMA.

How to Get a Work Permit from Mexico Through CUSMA

1. CUSMA Professionals

The CUSMA Professionals program is for the U.S or Mexican citizens with a valid job offer. This program is a great way to move to Canada from Mexico because it doesn’t require the employer to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove that there were no suitable candidates within the country, making it easier for the employer and making the processing time shorter for you.

In order for you to receive a Canadian work visa from Mexico, you will need proof of your qualification and some work experience as well as be eligible to enter the country. Your valid Canadian job offer must also fall under one of the qualifying professions;


General In Demand CUSMA Occupations
Accountant
Architect
Computer Systems Analyst
Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster
Economist
Engineer
Forester
Graphic Designer
Hotel Manager
Industrial Designer
Land Surveyor
Landscape Architect
Lawyer
Librarian
Management Consultant
Mathematician
Range Manager/Conservationist
Research assistant
Scientific Technician/Technologist
Social Worker
Silviculturist
Technical Publication Writer
Urban Planner
Vocational Counsellor


Medical/Allied In Demand CUSMA occupations
Dentist
Dietician
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Nutritionist
Occupational Therapist
Pharmacist
Physician (teaching or research only)
Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist
Psychologist
Recreational Therapist
Registered Nurse
Veterinarian

2. CUSMA Intra-Company Transfers

This program is a great option and opportunity for Mexican and U.S citizens who work for companies that have offices in Canada, to work at the companies’ Canadian branch for a specific period of time.

Keep in mind: This program is only for highly skilled employed professionals in either managerial, or executive positions, or employees who require specialized training.

3. CUSMA Traders

This program is best suited for Mexicans and U.S citizens who wish to come to Canada to partake in a considerable trade deal. This means that more than 50 percent of the deal must be negotiated on Canadian soil.

Keep in mind: The 50 percent could either be the size of the deal or the value of the trade.

4. CUSMA Investors

If you are an investor from Mexico or the U.S looking to come to Canada in search of investment opportunities in order to develop your business, you can apply for the CUSMA Investor visa. However, this visa is only for essential staff members.

Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)

FARMING-CROPS | How to Get a Canadian Worker Visa from Mexico

Mexican citizens who work in agriculture and wish to move to Canada may do so through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).

Due to a mutual agreement between Canada and Mexico along with the following Caribbean countries: Jamaica, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago.

Canadian employers are allowed to hire agricultural workers, from the above countries, for periods as long as 8 months during the peak farming period.

In order for your application to be successful, employers will have to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This document states that the employer first tried looking for workers within Canada but was unsuccessful, leaving them with the option but to look outside the country.

Express Entry


Introduced in 2015, the Express Entry system has grown to be one of Canada’s most popular immigration programs and has become the main program for skilled Mexican workers who want to live and work in Canada permanently.

Express Entry has one of the fastest application processing times and admits the most economic immigrants to Canada via an Invitation To Apply (ITA).

But how do you get an ITA?

Receiving an ITA is based on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score which is how candidates are ranked. The maximum number of points an applicant can receive is 1,200, and it is based on two categories namely;

  • Core points; and
  • Additional

Core CRS points

You can earn CRS Core points with the following:

  1. Skills and experience factors
  2. Spouse or common-law partner factors eg. language skills and education; and
  3. Skills transferability eg. education and work experience.

Additional CRS points

Additional points can be earned with the following:

  1. Canadian degrees, diplomas, or certificates;
  2. A valid job offer;
  3. A nomination from a province or territory;
  4. A brother or sister living in Canada (citizen or permanent resident)
  5. Strong French language skills

Reasons to Work in Canada

  • Free education - Canada offers their citizens and permanent residents free public schooling
  • Great healthcare - Canadian citizens and permanent residents get to enjoy universal healthcare
  • Higher salary - As an engineer, your job is specified as in demand meaning that employers are willing to pay higher salaries
  • A home away from home - Many people from across the world have come to call Canada home. With 21 percent of the population being foreigners, it is safe to say that Canada holds a little bit of everything in it, making it easy to fit into their diverse community

With so many opportunities found in Canada, Mexicans cannot stop asking the question of, how can I get my Canadian work visa from Mexico? A large portion of the Mexican population find themselves sitting with some type of post-secondary education, but with no job opportunities, their skills are going to waste. Canada welcomes Mexicans through funnels like the CUSMA program that offers a wide range of different jobs, giving you many options to choose from. 

So what are you waiting for? Start your journey today!