How to Hire Peruvian Workers in Canada Without an LMIA in 2026

Canadian businesses may recruit Peruvian professionals and technicians for several reasons.

A candidate may have:

• Experience in a specialized industry
• Technical education relevant to the position
• Professional knowledge of Latin American markets
• Language skills useful to Canadian operations
• Experience with international projects or clients
• Existing connections with the Canadian employer

Industries that may consider recruiting talent from Peru include engineering, construction, mining, energy, information technology, design, manufacturing, international purchasing, and technical services.

However, an employer should not assume that an occupation qualifies merely because it is skilled.

Eligibility under the CPFTA depends on the specific occupation, the applicant’s qualifications, and the structure of the proposed work.

Yes, in qualifying cases.

The CPFTA contains temporary-entry provisions for several types of business persons. One of the most relevant categories for Canadian employers is the Professional and Technician category.

Under this category, an eligible applicant may provide pre-arranged professional or technical services in Canada without the Canadian employer first obtaining an LMIA.

This may involve:

• A direct employer-employee relationship
• A qualifying independent professional providing services to a Canadian client
• A contract between a Canadian client and the applicant’s employer in Peru
• Training activities connected to an eligible profession

The arrangement must be genuine, documented, and related to the field in which the applicant is qualified.

The agreement removes the labour-market testing requirement. It does not remove the obligation to establish that the worker, occupation, employment arrangement, and supporting documents meet the rules.

To understand how this fits within the broader system, review our LMIA Exempt Work Permit Canada page.

Unsure whether the proposed occupation is covered? Speak with Work Permit Canada before submitting an offer through the Employer Portal.

A CPFTA work permit Canada application relies on the temporary-entry provisions of the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement.

The agreement provides pathways for several categories of business persons, including:

• Business visitors
• Traders and investors
• Intra-company transferees
• Professionals and technicians

This article focuses primarily on professionals and technicians because this category is directly relevant to Canadian companies recruiting talent or engaging professional services from Peru.

The work permit is generally employer-specific or contract-specific. It is not an unrestricted open work permit.

The applicant must perform the work described in the application and comply with any conditions placed on the permit.

A professional generally performs work requiring the theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge.

The applicant should normally have:

• Relevant post-secondary education
• Qualifications connected to the occupation
• The ability to obtain any required professional licence
• A genuine offer or pre-arranged service arrangement
• Evidence that the proposed work relates to their education and experience

The agreement generally contemplates a post-secondary degree requiring four or more years of study for a professional occupation, subject to the applicable occupational and licensing requirements.

However, not every professional occupation is covered.

The CPFTA excludes several groups, including many occupations in:

• Health care
• Education
• Social and community services
• Cultural industries
• Recreation and fitness management
• Manufacturing management
• Utilities management
• Construction and transportation management
• Certain legal professions

Employers should therefore confirm occupational coverage before relying on the agreement.

A job title alone is not enough. Immigration officers may review the actual duties, qualifications, regulatory requirements, and relationship between the position and the applicant’s background.

The technician category is narrower.

An eligible technician generally requires:

• Specialized theoretical and practical knowledge
• Relevant post-secondary or technical education
• At least the education required for entry into the occupation
• Any necessary certification or licensing
• Pre-arranged work or services in Canada

Unlike the professional category, the agreement provides a defined list of covered technical occupations.

Examples include certain:

• Civil engineering technologists and technicians
• Electrical and electronics engineering technicians
• Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
• Industrial engineering and manufacturing technicians
• Construction inspectors and estimators
• Engineering inspectors and testers
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Industrial instrument technicians
• Aircraft instrument and avionics technicians
• Graphic designers and illustrators
• Interior designers
• Chefs
• Computer and information systems technicians
• International selling and purchasing agents

The list also covers specified supervisors, contractors, and trades within designated industries.

An occupation that appears technical in everyday language may still fall outside the CPFTA list.

Employers should compare the actual duties against the applicable occupation rather than relying only on the position title.

A central requirement is that the professional or technical service must be arranged before the applicant seeks entry.

Depending on the case, pre-arranged work may be demonstrated through:

• A Canadian employment offer
• A signed employment agreement
• A direct service contract with a Canadian client
• A contract between a Canadian business and a Peruvian company
• A detailed assignment or project agreement

The documents should clearly explain:

• The services to be performed
• The workplace or project location
• The expected duration
• The compensation
• The applicant’s duties
• The applicant’s qualifications
• The relationship between the parties

A vague invitation letter or informal promise of work will usually be insufficient.

The proposed work, contractual documents, and work permit category should tell one consistent story.

Potentially, but the distinction must be handled carefully.

The CPFTA recognizes qualifying independent professionals and technicians who temporarily enter Canada to perform services under a contract with a Canadian service consumer.

This means a professional who is self-employed outside Canada may qualify where:

• A genuine Canadian client has entered into a service contract
• The applicant is qualified in an eligible field
• The services are pre-arranged
• Payment and contractual terms are properly documented
• The applicant meets the temporary-entry requirements

This is different from entering Canada without a defined client and attempting to build a freelance business after arrival.

An applicant seeking to operate a broader business in Canada may need to explore another pathway, such as a Self-Employed Work Permit or an Entrepreneur Work Permit, depending on the circumstances.

In many LMIA-exempt employer-specific cases, the Canadian employer must complete its part before the worker submits the application.

This commonly includes:

1. Preparing an accurate employment offer
2. Submitting the offer through the IRCC Employer Portal
3. Selecting the appropriate LMIA-exemption basis
4. Paying the employer compliance fee unless an exemption applies
5. Giving the worker the offer of employment number
6. Retaining records connected to the employment offer

The employer must also comply with the wage, occupation, and working conditions described in the offer.

Being LMIA-exempt does not eliminate employer responsibilities.

The Employer Portal submission and the worker’s application must match. Differences in job title, wages, duties, location, or duration can create avoidable concerns.

A strong Peru work permit Canada application may include:

• A valid Peruvian passport or other qualifying status evidence
• The Canadian employment offer or service contract
• Employer Portal offer number, where required
• Educational credentials
• Transcripts or technical diplomas
• Employment reference letters
• Professional licences or certifications
• A detailed employer support letter
• A description of the position and duties
• Evidence that the occupation is covered
• Proof of relevant professional or technical experience
• Evidence of temporary purpose
• Documents addressing admissibility requirements

For regulated occupations, provincial registration or licensing may also be necessary before the worker can legally perform certain duties.

The exact document package depends on the applicant’s occupation, employment arrangement, and application method.

Professionals and technicians entering Canada under the CPFTA may receive a work permit for up to one year.

Extensions may be possible where:

• The qualifying employment or contract continues
• The applicant still meets the occupational requirements
• The employer remains compliant
• The work continues to be temporary
• The updated application is properly supported

An extension is not automatic. The applicant must continue to qualify when the extension request is assessed.

Employers should also review the worker’s passport validity because a work permit generally cannot be issued beyond the passport’s expiry date.

The CPFTA Professional and Technician category is not the only possible option.

An Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit Canada pathway may be more appropriate when a multinational organization is transferring an executive, manager, specialist, or qualifying trainee from a Peruvian operation to a related Canadian entity.

An entrepreneur or investor establishing or actively directing a Canadian business may require a different assessment.

Peruvian nationals may also have potential options under other trade agreements involving Canada and Peru, depending on the category and circumstances.

The best pathway is the one that fits the actual employment, corporate relationship, qualifications, and purpose of entry.

If your company plans to hire Peruvian workers in Canada, confirming eligibility before submitting the employment offer can prevent unnecessary delays and expenses.

Work Permit Canada is led by Mathai George Nooranal, RCIC-IRB, licence number R712642, and focuses specifically on Canadian work permits for employers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners.

Contact an RCIC to review the proposed occupation, worker qualifications, and employment structure.

We assist employers and applicants in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Metro Vancouver, and across Canada.