Annex 1603: Temporary Entry for Business Persons
Section A - Business Visitors
1. Each Party shall grant temporary entry to a business person
seeking to engage in a business activity set out in Appendix 1603.A.1,
without requiring that person to obtain an employment authorization,
provided that the business person otherwise complies with existing
immigration measures applicable to temporary entry, on presentation
of:
(a) proof of citizenship of a Party;
(b) documentation demonstrating that the business person will
be so engaged and describing the purpose of entry; and
(c) evidence demonstrating that the proposed business activity
is international in scope and that the business person is not
seeking to enter the local labor market.
2. Each Party shall provide that a business person may satisfy
the requirements of paragraph 1(c) by demonstrating that:
(a) the primary source of remuneration for the proposed business
activity is outside the territory of the Party granting temporary
entry; and
(b) the business person's principal place of business and the
actual place of accrual of profits, at least predominantly, remain
outside such territory.
A Party shall normally accept an oral declaration as to the principal
place of business and the actual place of accrual of profits.
Where the Party requires further proof, it shall normally consider
a letter from the employer attesting to these matters as sufficient
proof.
3. Each Party shall grant temporary entry to a business person
seeking to engage in a business activity other than those set
out in Appendix 1603.A.1, without requiring that person to obtain
an employment authorization, on a basis no less favorable than
that provided under the existing provisions of the measures set
out in Appendix 1603.A.3, provided that the business person otherwise
complies with existing immigration measures applicable to temporary
entry.
4. No Party may:
(a) as a condition for temporary entry under paragraph 1 or 3,
require prior approval procedures, petitions, labor certification
tests or other procedures of similar effect; or
(b) impose or maintain any numerical restriction relating to temporary
entry under paragraph 1 or 3.
5. Notwithstanding paragraph 4, a Party may require a business
person seeking temporary entry under this Section to obtain a
visa or its equivalent prior to entry. Before imposing a visa
requirement, the Party shall consult, on request, with a Party
whose business persons would be affected with a view to avoiding
the imposition of the requirement. With respect to an existing
visa requirement, a Party shall consult, on request, with a Party
whose business persons are subject to the requirement with a view
to its removal.
Section B - Traders and Investors
1. Each Party shall grant temporary entry and provide confirming
documentation to a business person seeking to:
(a) carry on substantial trade in goods or services principally
between the territory of the Party of which the business person
is a citizen and the territory of the Party into which entry is
sought, or
(b) establish, develop, administer or provide advice or key technical
services to the operation of an investment to which the business
person or the business person's enterprise has committed, or is
in the process of committing, a substantial amount of capital,
in a capacity that is supervisory, executive or involves essential
skills, provided that the business person otherwise complies with
existing immigration measures applicable to temporary entry.
2. No Party may:
(a) as a condition for temporary entry under paragraph 1, require
labor certification tests or other procedures of similar effect;
or
(b) impose or maintain any numerical restriction relating to temporary
entry under paragraph 1.
3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, a Party may require a business
person seeking temporary entry under this Section to obtain a
visa or its equivalent prior to entry.
Section C - Intra-Company Transferees
1. Each Party shall grant temporary entry and provide confirming
documentation to a business person employed by an enterprise who
seeks to render services to that enterprise or a subsidiary or
affiliate thereof, in a capacity that is managerial, executive
or involves specialized knowledge, provided that the business
person otherwise complies with existing immigration measures applicable
to temporary entry. A Party may require the business person to
have been employed continuously by the enterprise for one year
within the threeyear period immediately preceding the date of
the application for admission.
2. No Party may:
(a) as a condition for temporary entry under paragraph 1, require
labor certification tests or other procedures of similar effect;
or
(b) impose or maintain any numerical restriction relating to temporary
entry under paragraph 1.
3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, a Party may require a business
person seeking temporary entry under this Section to obtain a
visa or its equivalent prior to entry. Before imposing a visa
requirement, the Party shall consult with a Party whose business
persons would be affected with a view to avoiding the imposition
of the requirement. With respect to an existing visa requirement,
a Party shall consult, on request, with a Party whose business
persons are subject to the requirement with a view to its removal.
Section D - Professionals
1. Each Party shall grant temporary entry and provide confirming
documentation to a business person seeking to engage in a business
activity at a professional level in a profession set out in Appendix
1603.D.1, if the business person otherwise complies with existing
immigration measures applicable to temporary entry, on presentation
of:
(a) proof of citizenship of a Party; and
(b) documentation demonstrating that the business person will
be so engaged and describing the purpose of entry.
2. No Party may:
(a) as a condition for temporary entry under paragraph 1, require
prior approval procedures, petitions, labor certification tests
or other procedures of similar effect; or
(b) impose or maintain any numerical restriction relating to temporary
entry under paragraph 1.
3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, a Party may require a business
person seeking temporary entry under this Section to obtain a
visa or its equivalent prior to entry. Before imposing a visa
requirement, the Party shall consult with a Party whose business
persons would be affected with a view to avoiding the imposition
of the requirement. With respect to an existing visa requirement,
a Party shall consult, on request, with a Party whose business
persons are subject to the requirement with a view to its removal.
4. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, a Party may establish an
annual numerical limit, which shall be set out in Appendix 1603.D.4,
regarding temporary entry of business persons of another Party
seeking to engage in business activities at a professional level
in a profession set out in Appendix 1603.D.1, if the Parties concerned
have not agreed otherwise prior to the date of entry into force
of this Agreement for those Parties. In establishing such a limit,
the Party shall consult with the other Party concerned.
5. A Party establishing a numerical limit pursuant to paragraph
4, unless the Parties concerned agree otherwise:
(a) shall, for each year after the first year after the date of
entry into force of this Agreement, consider increasing the numerical
limit set out in Appendix 1603.D.4 by an amount to be established
in consultation with the other Party concerned, taking into account
the demand for temporary entry under this Section;
(b) shall not apply its procedures established pursuant to paragraph
1 to the temporary entry of a business person subject to the numerical
limit, but may require the business person to comply with its
other procedures applicable to the temporary entry of professionals;
and
(c) may, in consultation with the other Party concerned, grant
temporary entry under paragraph 1 to a business person who practices
in a profession where accreditation, licensing, and certification
requirements are mutually recognized by those Parties.
6. Nothing in paragraph 4 or 5 shall be construed to limit the
ability of a business person to seek temporary entry under a Party's
applicable immigration measures relating to the entry of professionals
other than those adopted or maintained pursuant to paragraph 1.
7. Three years after a Party establishes a numerical limit pursuant
to paragraph 4, it shall consult with the other Party concerned
with a view to determining a date after which the limit shall
cease to apply.
Continue on to Appendix 1603.A.1