Canada and Türkiye are entering a new chapter in their economic relationship, with the potential to not only strengthen bilateral trade and investment but also create new opportunities for immigration.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Türkiye in October 2026 marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, culminating in the announcement of a new Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Building on this momentum, Canada and Türkiye are set to begin formal negotiations toward a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with the first round scheduled to take place in Ankara from November 30 to December 4, 2026.
While free trade agreements are often associated with reducing tariffs and facilitating the exchange of goods, their potential benefits extend considerably further. Modern trade agreements can also support investment, international business expansion, and the movement of professionals and skilled personnel across borders.
Expanding Trade and Investment Opportunities
Canada and Türkiye have identified several strategic sectors with significant potential for increased cooperation, including energy, mining and critical minerals, aerospace, defence, advanced technologies, and infrastructure.
The two countries have already announced initiatives aimed at encouraging investment and strengthening commercial collaboration, particularly in renewable and nuclear energy, liquefied natural gas, critical minerals, and defence production.
Facilitating Business Growth Through Global Talent Mobility
As trade and investment between countries grow, so does the need for businesses to move people across borders.
A Canadian company expanding into Türkiye may need to transfer executives, technical specialists, or other key personnel to support its operations. Similarly, a Turkish business investing in Canada may require its management team or specialized employees to establish operations, oversee projects, or transfer essential expertise.
This is where free trade agreements can have a particularly meaningful impact.
Several of Canada’s existing FTAs, including the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and agreements with the United Kingdom, South Korea, Peru, Colombia, and Chile, contain provisions facilitating the temporary entry of businesspersons and skilled professionals. Similarly, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) provides immigration-related opportunities involving countries such as Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
These agreements provide immigration pathways for certain categories of individuals, including business visitors, investors, professionals, and intra-company transferees. Intra-company transfer provisions, for example, can allow multinational businesses to transfer eligible executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees between their international operations, facilitating business expansion and the exchange of expertise across borders.
Depending on the applicable agreement and eligibility requirements, qualifying individuals may benefit from streamlined entry procedures or work permit options exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement. These provisions demonstrate how trade agreements can extend beyond commercial benefits to support international workforce mobility, cross-border investment, and business growth.
Notably, Canada’s published negotiating objectives for the proposed Canada–Türkiye FTA specifically identify the temporary movement of businesspersons as an area of focus.
Although the outcome of the negotiations remains to be seen, similar provisions in a future Canada–Türkiye agreement could potentially facilitate the movement of investors, professionals, and employees.
The Canada-Türkiye FTA: Opportunities for Businesses, Investors, and Professionals
The proposed Canada–Türkiye FTA has the potential to strengthen an already growing commercial relationship while opening new avenues for trade, investment, and international business collaboration.
For businesses, it could mean greater access to new markets and opportunities for expansion. For investors, it could provide a more favourable and predictable environment for cross-border investment. For qualifying professionals and employees, future mobility provisions could potentially create additional pathways to undertake business activities or work temporarily in either country.
While negotiations are still at an early stage and no new immigration pathways have been established under the proposed FTA, the inclusion of business mobility in Canada’s negotiating objectives is an encouraging development.
As Canada and Türkiye continue to deepen their economic ties, the intersection of trade, investment, and immigration will become an increasingly important consideration for businesses operating between the two countries.
Stronger international trade relationships are not built solely through the movement of goods and capital, but also through the movement of the people, knowledge, and expertise that make international business possible.
At Green & Spiegel LLP, we advise businesses, investors, and professionals on Canadian immigration and global mobility strategies, helping them navigate the immigration considerations associated with international investment, business expansion, and cross-border operations. If your organization is planning to expand internationally or bring talent across borders, it is important to consider how evolving trade agreements and investment developments may affect your mobility planning. Contact me for more information or to discuss your organization’s specific needs.
