Understanding CPTPP, C11, C12, C44-C47, and C50 correctly: Clearly distinguishing between different categories of business work permits.

(Article updated November 2, 2025)

Recently, many Vietnamese people have shown interest in going to Canada under the business work permit program, but are easily confused by concepts such as CPTPP, C11, C12, and some even think that C50 is also a code for business work permits. Many places advertise "going to Canada with CPTPP and getting PR" or "getting PR quickly with C11/C12," but when compared with official documents from Canada.ca, this information is often misinterpreted or misrepresented.

This article will help you understand each concept correctly, know the actual conditions, and determine which category is suitable for Vietnamese entrepreneurs or workers, along with links to government sources for you to verify the information yourself.

1. What is CPTPP - and what is it not?

The CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) is a free trade agreement (FTA) between Canada and 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam. The goals of the CPTPP are to reduce and eliminate tariffs, harmonize technical standards, protect investments, and create a transparent trade environment.

According to the Canadian government, the CPTPP: " Temporarily reduces entry barriers: Commitments to eliminate certain barriers such as quotas and labor market needs checks, making it easier for businesses to bring temporary workers to partner countries or bring key personnel into Canada. "

The CPTPP has a separate chapter on “temporary entry” for businesspeople, including the following groups: business visitors, investors, intra-company transferees, and professionals/technicians.

However, not all Vietnamese citizens are eligible for a work permit under the CPTPP.
Global Affairs Canada has a section titled “ Guidelines to Temporary Entry under the CPTPP ,” which includes temporary entry commitments for four groups of business travelers: business visitors, intracompany transfers, investors, and professionals/technicians. However, Vietnam is still listed as “coming soon” (currently being updated) and is not yet on the official list.

Therefore, the CPTPP is a trade agreement on goods, services, and investment. It is not a program for mass immigration or work permit issuance for Vietnamese citizens. Those eligible for "temporary entry" must belong to the specific categories listed in the bilateral annexes between Canada and the member countries, and guidelines for Vietnam are not yet in effect .

2. C11 - Work Permit for entrepreneurs/self-employed individuals with a “significant interest”

C11 is the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption code under the International Mobility Program (IMP) of the Canadian Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC).

The C11 code falls under group R205(a) - Canadian interests, significant benefit. This is a work permit for entrepreneurs or self-employed individuals who can demonstrate that their business, investment, or activities in Canada provide a “significant economic, social, or cultural benefit” to Canada.

• No LMIA required (as it's included in the IMP).
• This is a temporary work permit, not direct permanent residency.
• It can serve as a stepping stone to later apply for permanent residency through Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

For example, a Vietnamese citizen who establishes a fully operational company, creates jobs, pays taxes, and has a clear business plan can apply for a C11 work permit to directly manage the company.

3. C12 - Work Permit for Intra-Company Transferee (ICT)

C12 is another LMIA exemption code in IMP, belonging to group R204(a) - International agreements.
C12 applies to cases where an employee is transferred from a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliated company abroad to work at an affiliated company in Canada, in an executive, senior manager, or specialized knowledge role.

To use code C12, two conditions must be met simultaneously:

1. There is a valid business relationship between the overseas company and the Canadian company.
2. The job position in Canada falls within the group of positions eligible for transfer under the terms of international agreements or common ICT programs.

A C12 certificate cannot be used if you only "intend" to start a company, or if the Canadian company does not actually exist, has no real transactions/employees.

4. C50 – Work Permit for Charitable or Religious Work

C50 is an LMIA waiver code for foreigners coming to Canada to perform charitable or religious work — for example, working for a church, monastery, relief organization, or humanitarian activity.

In the list of LMIA exemption codes used by IRCC, C50 belongs to group R205(d) - Charitable or religious work. Employers in Canada will fill in code C50 in the Employer Portal when submitting job offers (offers of employment). Based on this, workers can apply for a temporary Work Permit and are exempt from the LMIA due to the non-profit nature of the work.

When C50 is used:

• Work performed for charitable or religious purposes does not compete with Canadian employment.
• The recruiting organization is a non-profit or a legally recognized religious organization.
• Not a commercial or profit-making activity.

When C50 is not used:

• The job involves a commercial or business element.
• The parent organization is not a non-profit.
• Or the goal is not to serve the community/religion.

5. Overview of some LMIA waiver codes in the International Mobility Program (IMP)

Code	Based on regulations (Regulation)	Applicable subjects	LMIA	Direct PR	Note / Source: Government
C10	R205(a) – Canadian interests	Individuals whose abilities, achievements, or skills bring a “significant benefit” to Canada.	No	Are not	This applies to outstanding individuals such as professionals, artists, and scientists.
C11	R205(a) – Canadian interests	Entrepreneurs/self-employed individuals whose activities generate significant benefits for Canada.	No	Are not	A popular route for entrepreneurs, individual investors, and self-employed individuals.
C12	R204(a) – International agreements	Intra-company transferee (ICT)	No	Are not	A valid legal relationship must exist between the foreign company and the company in Canada.
C44–C47	R205(c)(ii) – Designated Organization (Start-Up Visa)	The founder received a Letter of Support from the Canadian Startup Organization (DO).	No	Yes (Start-Up Visa PR)	I was granted an open work permit while waiting for my PR application.
C50	R205(d) – Charitable or religious work	People who work for legitimate, non-profit charitable or religious organizations.	No	Are not	This is a non-commercial job, not in competition with Canadian employment.

6. Pathway PR - Are there any codes that lead directly to permanent residency?

• Codes C10, C11, C12, and C50 all belong to the temporary work permit category, not the direct PR pathway.
• However, valid work experience in Canada under these categories still counts towards or increases eligibility for immigration programs such as:
  • Express Entry (CEC/FSW/FST)
  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  • Provincial Business Immigration Program (Entrepreneur Streams)
• Only the C44-C47 group (Start-Up Visa) has a direct PR pathway, as this is an extension of the Start-Up Visa immigration program.

7. Conclusion

• The CPTPP is a trade agreement, not a program for mass immigration or work permit issuance for Vietnamese citizens.
• The C11 program is suitable for self-employed entrepreneurs who want to invest in and operate a real business in Canada.
• C12 is for personnel transferred internally within a company (ICT) between the parent company, branches, and subsidiaries.
• C50 applies to individuals engaged in charitable or religious work, belonging to a legally recognized non-profit organization.
• The C44-C47 (Start-Up Visa) pathway is the only one in this group that offers direct permanent residency.

When considering any program, verify the information with official government sources in Canada.

Immigration Event Calendar and Live Stream