Certain American (and Mexican) professionals are eligible for work permits under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). This agreement is also known as the USMCA or, formerly, the NAFTA agreement.

In Canada, this permit is normally called a CUSMA Work Permit. Americans call it a "TN Visa."

These work permits are very quick and simple, and are issued at any Canadian point-of-entry (airport/land border crossing/seaport).

Which Healthcare Professionals Are Eligible for this Work Permit?

• physician (teaching or research only)
• registered nurse
• dentist
• dietitian
• medical laboratory technologist
• nutritionist
• occupational therapist
• pharmacist
• physiotherapist/physical therapist
• psychologist
• recreational therapist
• veterinarian

What the Canadian Employer Must Do ...

• First, your employer goes to the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) government portal and submits your job offer and basic information (e.g., passport, name, etc.) about the you
• The employer pays a fee of C$230
• The system generates an “A Number” (usually in minutes, but can take up to 72h)
• The employer provides the A Number to you

What You Must Do...

• At the port of entry, you apply for the CUSMA Work Permit by providing the A number (which the employer provides), your offer, proof of your qualifications (e.g., degree/transcript copy, license), and your passport
• The permit is issued for up to three years, and is renewable indefinitely
• The cost at the port-of-entry is C$155 (@ Oct 2025 approx US$110)