CUSMA Professionals List: All Eligible Occupations

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) offers a simplified process for skilled professionals from the U.S. and Mexico to obtain Canadian work permits. The CUSMA Professionals list covers all the occupations that qualify for the streamlined work permit process.

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Key Characteristics of CUSMA Professional Occupations

Specialized Knowledge: These occupations require a high level of specialized knowledge and skills, often gained through formal education or training.
In-Demand Skills: The CUSMA professional occupations are typically in high demand within the Canadian labour market, reflecting the country’s economic needs and priorities.
Skilled Workforce: Individuals in these occupations contribute significantly to the Canadian economy by providing essential services and expertise in various sectors.

CUSMA Professionals List

The following table outlines the eligible professions under the CUSMA Professionals provision, along with their minimum education or credential requirements:

1. General Professions

Profession	Minimum Education/Credentials
Accountant	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A. or C.M.A.
Architect	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Computer Systems Analyst	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma/Certificate and 3 years’ experience.
Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree and training in insurance adjustment; or 3 years experience.
Economist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Engineer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Forester	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Graphic Designer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma/Certificate and 3 years experience.
Hotel Manager	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in hotel/restaurant management; or Post-Secondary Diploma/Certificate and 3 years experience.
Industrial Designer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma/Certificate and 3 years experience.
Interior Designer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma/Certificate and 3 years experience.
Land Surveyor	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial/federal license.
Landscape Architect	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Lawyer (including Notary in Quebec)	LL.B., J.D., LL.L, B.C.L. or Licenciatura Degree (5 years); or membership in a state/provincial bar.
Librarian	M.L.S. or B.L.S. (with prerequisite baccalaureate degree).
Management Consultant	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or equivalent experience (5 years).
Mathematician (including Statistician and Actuary)	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; actuary must meet professional association requirements.
Range Manager/Range Conservationalist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Research Assistant	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Scientific Technician/Technologist	Theoretical knowledge in relevant disciplines and ability to solve practical problems.
Social Worker	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist)	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Technical Publications Writer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma/Certificate and 3 years experience.
Urban Planner (including Geographer)	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Vocational Counsellor	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

2. Medical/Allied Professionals

Profession	Minimum Education/Credentials
Dentist	D.D.S., D.M.D., or state/provincial license.
Dietitian	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma/Certificate and 3 years experience.
Medical Laboratory Technologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma/Certificate and 3 years experience.
Nutritionist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Occupational Therapist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Pharmacist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Physician (teaching or research only)	M.D. or state/provincial license (no direct patient care).
Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Psychologist	State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree.
Recreational Therapist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Registered Nurse	State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree.
Veterinarian	D.V.M., D.M.V. or state/provincial license.

3. Scientists

Profession	Minimum Education/Credentials
Agriculturist (including Agronomist)	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Animal Breeder	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Animal Scientist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Apiculturist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Astronomer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Biochemist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Biologist (including Plant Pathologist)	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Chemist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Dairy Scientist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Entomologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Epidemiologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Geneticist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Geologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Geochemist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Geophysicist (including Oceanographer)	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Horticulturist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Meteorologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Pharmacologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Physicist (including Oceanographer)	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Plant Breeder	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Poultry Scientist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Soil Scientist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Zoologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

4. Teachers

Profession	Minimum Education/Credentials
College	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Seminary	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
University	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

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Key Requirements for CUSMA Professionals

To be eligible for a CUSMA Professional work permit, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States or Mexico.
Profession: Must work in one of the occupations mentioned in the above CUSMA professionals list.
Qualifications: Demonstrate qualifications through a relevant degree or certification.
Pre-arranged Employment: Have a confirmed job offer from a Canadian employer in their professional field.
Professional Services: Provide professional-level services in their area of expertise.
Compliance: Must meet existing immigration requirements for temporary entry to Canada.

Application Process for CUSMA Professionals

Applicants can apply for a work permit as a CUSMA professional through one of these channels:

At a Canadian Port of Entry: Apply upon arrival in Canada.
At a Canadian Visa Office: Submit an application before entering Canada.
From Within Canada: If already in Canada as a temporary resident, apply from within the country.

Required Documents

To support their application, applicants must provide the following documentation:

Proof of American or Mexican citizenship.
Confirmation of pre-arranged employment in Canada.
Documentation indicating the profession of the employment.
Credentials demonstrating qualifications in the intended profession in Canada.

Work Permit Duration

CUSMA professional work permits are typically issued for a maximum duration of three years. Professionals can apply for extensions of up to three years, without any limit on the number of extensions.

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