Canada Philippines could ease work permit requirements
A proposed free trade agreement between Canada and the Philippines could reduce hiring barriers for eligible Filipino professionals by allowing certain workers to obtain Canadian employer-specific work permits without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which generally requires employers to demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market. Negotiations, launched in October 2025, are targeting completion by the end of 2026, with a possible conclusion in November. Potentially affected occupations could include engineering, accounting, technology and other professional services, although the eligible occupations and requirements have not been finalized. The agreement could also create opportunities for some Filipino professionals already residing in Canada. However, it would not automatically recognize foreign degrees, professional credentials or licenses, nor provide an automatic pathway to permanent residence. Professionals in regulated occupations would still need to meet the licensing and qualification requirements established by provincial and territorial regulators. The proposed agreement may encourage greater cooperation between regulators to improve credential assessment and make licensing processes more predictable, while any new work permit provisions would require formal approval and implementation before taking effect.