On this page you will find:
- Details of Canada’s new trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates
- Which skilled workers and business visitors could benefit
- How the deal could create new LMIA-exempt work permit opportunities
- What the agreement means for intra-company transfers and spouses
- When the new immigration provisions could take effect
- Answers to frequently asked questions about eligibility
Canada has signed a major trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates that includes provisions designed to make it easier for skilled professionals, business visitors and employees of multinational companies to move between the two countries.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed on October 27, 2026, includes a dedicated chapter on the temporary entry of business people.
The agreement could eventually create new opportunities for foreign workers to obtain Canadian work permits without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Canada already operates several LMIA-exempt work permit pathways under the International Mobility Program, including arrangements linked to international trade agreements.
The UAE agreement establishes a framework for similar arrangements covering professionals in sectors such as engineering and information and communications technology.
However, the agreement has not yet entered into force. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government expects implementation in 2027.
This means the new agreement does not currently provide a basis for obtaining a Canadian work permit.
What Does The Canada-UAE Trade Agreement Include?
The agreement aims to strengthen economic ties between Canada and the UAE by reducing trade barriers, encouraging investment and improving access to each country’s markets.
While much of the agreement focuses on goods and services, its immigration provisions could have significant consequences for businesses operating in both countries.
The temporary-entry chapter covers several categories of business people.
| Category | What the agreement covers |
|---|---|
| Business visitors | Short-term entry for eligible commercial activities |
| Intra-company transferees | Movement of eligible employees between related businesses |
| Spouses of intra-company transferees | Temporary-entry commitments covering accompanying spouses |
| Services suppliers | Eligible professionals providing services in designated sectors |
| Engineering professionals | Temporary-entry commitments involving engineering services |
| Technology professionals | Temporary-entry commitments involving information and communications technology |
The agreement also includes commitments to improve transparency around immigration requirements and application procedures.
Both governments have agreed to make information accessible and apply reasonable fees.
However, Canada and the UAE will retain the ability to enforce immigration rules, protect their domestic labour markets and introduce measures relating to public safety and national security.
The temporary-entry provisions therefore do not guarantee admission or employment rights for everyone covered by the agreement.
Could The Agreement Create New LMIA-Exempt Work Permits?
One of the most important potential consequences is the creation of additional LMIA-exempt work permit opportunities.
Canada normally requires employers hiring foreign workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to obtain an LMIA.
The assessment examines whether hiring a foreign worker will have a positive or neutral effect on Canada’s labour market.
However, international trade agreements can provide exemptions from this requirement.
Under the International Mobility Program, eligible foreign nationals can obtain employer-specific work permits without their employers first securing an LMIA.
This can reduce administrative requirements and make international recruitment easier.
Canada already uses this approach under agreements including:
- The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
- The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
- The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The CPTPP provides a recent example of how trade agreements can affect Canadian immigration.
On September 1, 2026, Canada extended relevant CPTPP work permit provisions to eligible British professionals following the United Kingdom’s accession to the agreement.
That change created LMIA-exempt work permit opportunities for British professionals working in qualifying occupations.
The UAE agreement could establish comparable opportunities once Canada implements its temporary-entry commitments.
However, the precise requirements, occupation eligibility rules and immigration exemption codes will depend on the agreement’s implementation.
New Opportunities For Intra-Company Transfers
The agreement could be particularly important for multinational businesses operating in Canada and the UAE.
Intra-company transfers allow eligible employees to move between related businesses in different countries.
For example, a multinational engineering company with offices in Abu Dhabi and Toronto might want to transfer an experienced manager to its Canadian operations.
Canada already offers LMIA-exempt work permits for qualifying intra-company transferees under existing immigration rules.
These permits generally target employees working in executive, senior management or specialized knowledge positions.
The Canada-UAE agreement includes specific commitments addressing intra-company transfers, potentially providing another treaty-based framework for eligible employees.
This could become increasingly important as businesses expand their operations between the two countries.
The agreement also includes commitments covering spouses of intra-company transferees.
However, applicants should not assume these provisions automatically provide accompanying spouses with open work permits.
The final immigration requirements will determine what authorization spouses can obtain and whether they can work in Canada.
Which Professionals Could Benefit?
The agreement identifies engineering and information and communications technology as examples of sectors covered by its services supplier provisions.
These sectors have significant international workforces, particularly in the UAE, where multinational companies employ professionals from across the world.
Potential beneficiaries could include professionals working in:
- Engineering and technical consulting.
- Information technology and software development.
- Communications technology and digital infrastructure.
- Specialized business services covered by the agreement.
- Management and executive positions within multinational companies.
However, these categories should not be treated as an exhaustive list of eligible occupations.
Similarly, working in one of these sectors will not automatically establish eligibility for a Canadian work permit.
Applicants may need to satisfy requirements relating to their qualifications, professional experience, employment arrangements and the services they intend to provide.
The agreement’s detailed eligibility conditions will determine which workers can use each temporary-entry category.
Will All UAE Residents Qualify?
One important question concerns the UAE’s large expatriate workforce.
The country employs millions of foreign nationals, including professionals from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and other countries.
Many work for multinational businesses that also operate in Canada.
However, residence in the UAE should not be confused with eligibility under an international trade agreement.
Trade-based immigration provisions can depend on nationality, immigration status, employment arrangements and the specific category involved.
For example, some Canadian trade agreement work permit categories require applicants to hold citizenship in a participating country.
Others contain specific conditions concerning employers and cross-border business activities.
The Canada-UAE agreement’s implementation rules will determine how these requirements apply to Emirati nationals and foreign professionals based in the UAE.
A British or Indian professional living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi should therefore not assume that UAE residence alone will provide access to a new Canadian work permit.
Some expatriates may already qualify under other Canadian immigration pathways, including existing intra-company transfer rules or trade agreements linked to their nationality.
When Will The Canada-UAE Agreement Take Effect?
Canada and the UAE signed the agreement on October 27, but it has not yet entered into force.
The Canadian government expects the agreement to take effect in 2027, although it has not announced an exact implementation date.
Before applicants can benefit from any new work permit provisions, Canada must complete the necessary implementation steps.
These include bringing the agreement into force and establishing the immigration procedures needed to administer its temporary-entry commitments.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will also need to provide instructions explaining how eligible applicants can use the agreement.
For work permit categories, these instructions would normally identify the applicable LMIA exemptions, eligibility requirements and supporting documents.
Until then, applicants must continue using existing Canadian immigration programs.
How Does The Agreement Fit Canada’s Immigration Strategy?
The agreement comes as Canada changes its approach to temporary immigration.
The federal government has reduced its targets for new temporary residents while placing greater emphasis on immigration that supports economic growth and labour market needs.
Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada aims to admit 230,000 new temporary workers in 2026, followed by 220,000 annually in 2027 and 2028.
The government is also prioritizing skilled workers who can address specific economic needs.
Trade-based work permits can support this approach by allowing employers to bring eligible international professionals into Canada without completing the usual LMIA process.
The UAE agreement is also part of Canada’s wider effort to diversify its international economic relationships.
The two countries recorded approximately $3.5 billion in merchandise trade in 2025, while the UAE has become an important destination for Canadian businesses operating in the Middle East.
The agreement could strengthen those links by supporting cross-border investment and making temporary business mobility more predictable.
However, it does not establish a new permanent residence program or guarantee a pathway to Canadian immigration.
Workers who eventually enter Canada under the agreement may be able to pursue permanent residence through existing programs, provided they meet the relevant requirements.
What Should Prospective Applicants Do Now?
Professionals interested in the Canada-UAE trade agreement should monitor further announcements from IRCC.
The most important developments will be the agreement’s entry into force and the publication of detailed immigration instructions.
In the meantime, prospective applicants can review their existing eligibility for Canadian work permits.
Those employed by multinational companies should consider whether they qualify under Canada’s current intra-company transfer provisions.
Professionals with qualifying job offers may also have access to existing LMIA-exempt categories, depending on their nationality, occupation and employment circumstances.
The new agreement could expand these opportunities in 2027, but its practical impact will depend on the final implementation rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Canada-UAE trade agreement allow UAE residents to work in Canada?
Not yet. Canada and the UAE signed the agreement on October 27, 2026, but it has not entered into force. The agreement includes temporary-entry provisions for eligible business people, including certain skilled professionals and intra-company transferees. Applicants must wait for the relevant immigration rules to take effect before using any new provisions.
Will UAE professionals need an LMIA to work in Canada?
The agreement could create additional LMIA-exempt work permit opportunities for qualifying professionals. Canada already offers LMIA exemptions under several international trade agreements. However, IRCC must establish the relevant eligibility requirements and exemption procedures before applicants can benefit from the Canada-UAE agreement. Existing immigration rules continue to apply in the meantime.
Can Indian or British nationals living in the UAE benefit from the agreement?
Eligibility will depend on the agreement’s applicable nationality, employment and immigration conditions. Living or working in the UAE does not automatically establish eligibility. Some foreign professionals may already qualify for Canadian work permits through existing programs or trade agreements. Applicants should review the specific rules before assuming they qualify.
Can spouses of intra-company transferees work in Canada under the agreement?
The agreement includes temporary-entry commitments covering spouses of intra-company transferees. However, the detailed immigration conditions will determine whether accompanying spouses can obtain work permits and what restrictions apply. Applicants should not assume the agreement guarantees an open work permit. Existing Canadian spousal work permit rules remain relevant until new instructions take effect.
When will the new Canada-UAE work permit provisions become available?
Canada expects the trade agreement to enter into force in 2027, although officials have not announced an exact date. IRCC will need to establish the procedures and requirements for any new work permit categories. Until those provisions become operational, applicants must use existing Canadian immigration pathways.