Since coming into force on January 1, 2015, the Korea-Canada Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) has reshaped the economic landscape between the two nations—not only by reducing tariffs, but also by enhancing the movement of talent and capital across borders.

Beyond simply eliminating tariffs, the CKFTA has established an institutional framework that allows entrepreneurs, professionals, and investors to move freely between Korea and Canada. As of 2025, the CKFTA continues to play a critical role in strengthening economic cooperation between the two nations, achieving tangible results in both labour mobility (Chapter 12) and investment mobility (Chapter 8).

This article examines how the Korea-Canada FTA has specifically impacted labour and investment mobility, and what these changes mean for Koreans seeking immigration and employment opportunities in Canada.

🎯​Labour Mobility: Effects of the Korea-Canada FTA

(Chapter 12 – Temporary Entry for Business Persons)

The Korea-Canada FTA (CKFTA) has played a crucial role beyond goods trade, fostering the mobility of business personnel and professionals.

Chapter 12 of the Agreement allows skilled professionals and businesspeople in designated sectors to enter the other country temporarily without undergoing the usual Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.

Key changes include:

• Exemption from economic needs tests (quotas, assessments):
  Fields such as engineering, architecture, IT, and research now benefit from streamlined access, eliminating the need for extra regulatory reviews

• Simplified temporary entry procedures:
  Intra-company transferees, trade investors, and independent professionals can now obtain visas more quickly.

• Promotion of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) for professional qualifications:
  Efforts are ongoing to establish mutual recognition agreements in fields such as engineering, architecture, and veterinary medicine.

These institutional relaxations have opened doors for Korean professionals to access the Canadian market more easily, especially in IT, engineering, construction, and research and development sectors.

🎯​ Investment Mobility: Effects of the Korea-Canada FTA

(Chapter 8 – Investment)

The Korea-Canada FTA (CKFTA) has also strengthened the foundation of economic cooperation between the two countries by enhancing investor protection and capital mobility.

Under Chapter 8 (Investment), the agreement ensures that investors from Korea and Canada receive equal treatment, legal protection, and access to dispute resolution mechanisms that foster confidence and long-term engagement.

• National Treatment:
  Korean and Canadian investors are treated equally and allowed to conduct business without discrimination.

• Fair and Equitable Treatment:
  Investors are protected against unfair discrimination or unjust treatment during their investment activities.

• Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Mechanism:
  In case of disputes between investors and the host government, neutral international arbitration bodies can be utilized.

• Relaxation of investment restrictions:
  Sectors including energy, mining, manufacturing, and finance have opened up considerably, paving the way for deeper bilateral investment flows.

By 2025, these provisions have made Korean investments in Canada more stable and predictable, with steady growth particularly seen in energy, infrastructure, and advanced technology sectors.

🎯​Impact on Korean Immigration to Canada

(Chapter 8 – Investment, Chapter 12 – Temporary Entry, Chapter 18 – Labour)

The Korea-Canada FTA (CKFTA) has also brought positive changes to Korean immigration and employment pathways in Canada. Expanded labour (Chapter 12) and capital mobility (Chapter 8) have created specific opportunities:

• Increased employment opportunities for skilled professionals:
  Korean professionals—especially in tech, engineering, and R&D—can now engage with Canadian employers through direct contracts or short-term assignments, all without the bureaucratic barrier of an LMIA.

• Diversification of business immigration pathways:
  Thanks to investor protection clauses, startup founders, investors, and entrepreneurs have a more secure foundation to enter Canada and pursue long-term immigration strategies.

• Global career expansion opportunities:
  Canadian work experience increasingly serves as a springboard for Koreans seeking to build globally competitive careers and pursue long-term immigration goals.

• Promotion of cultural and economic exchanges:
  The active exchange of professionals and businesspersons naturally fosters cultural interaction and networking opportunities.

Additionally, through Chapter 18 (Labour), both countries reaffirm their commitment to respecting the core labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and protecting workers' rights. This contributes to a more stable and predictable environment for Korean workers and immigrants in Canada.

The Korea-Canada Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) has established a robust foundation for economic cooperation that extends beyond trade in goods and services to the free movement of people and capital.

By providing faster and more secure pathways for professionals, businesspeople, and investors, the agreement has practically accelerated economic integration and cultural exchange between the two nations.

As of 2025, the CKFTA continues to serve as a strategic platform for Korean professionals and investors looking to explore new horizons in Canada—whether through employment, business ventures, or immigration pathways.

None of our posts on this blog constitute legal advice. For legal advice, we invite you to schedule a meeting here.

​🔍 References

Chapter 8: Investment

Chapter 12: Temporary Entry for Business Persons

Chapter 18: Labour

Korea-Canada FTA Overview