This page has information for U.S. Citizens applying to work at Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA).
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a regional agreement between the Governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States that permits United States citizens to enter and work in Canada, in certain professional occupations identified by the agreement.
Work Permits
Under NAFTA, U.S. citizens do not require a Labour Market Opinion. The only requirement is a job offer from a Canadian employer. Applications, document checklist and information is available from Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC).
Work Permit Extensions
U.S. citizens do not require employment validation from Human Resources & Social Development Canada (HRSDC) or union support.
Medical Exams
If you qualify under NAFTA, and you have a letter confirming your job offer from a Canadian employer, you can then book an appointment to have a medical exam with a designated medical practitioner prior to going to the Port of Entry.
ALL U.S. citizens MUST have approved medical clearance by a designated Citizenship and Immigration Canada practitioner BEFORE a valid temporary work permit can be obtained. See Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Medical Examinations for more information.
The medical is then to be sent directly to Ottawa; you must ensure the medical has been processed by Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada before you go to the border/port of entry. A list of medical practitioners is located online.
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