Intra Company Transfer
Unlock new opportunities for your business and career through Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP). The Intra Company Transferee (ICT) stream allows global businesses to bring talented professionals to their Canadian branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates. Designed to facilitate expertise-sharing, enhance management, and bolster Canada’s role in international trade, this program is the perfect solution for businesses seeking innovation and growth.
ICT workers offer unparalleled value, equipping Canadian businesses to expand exports and maintain a competitive edge. The streamlined process – exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under exemptions like C12 (significant economic benefit) and T24 (workers from Free Trade Agreement countries such as NAFTA) – saves employers time and ensures a seamless transition for global talent.
Whether leveraging trade agreements like GATS or driving local economic growth, the ICT program connects skilled professionals with Canadian opportunities, creating success stories for businesses and workers alike.
Why Can X
Trusted by Businesses Big and Small: From startups to industry leaders, we deliver tailored, diligent, and reliable solutions.
Global Reach: With clients from over 30 countries, we ensure a world-class experience.
Unmatched Expertise: With over a decade of experience, we’re adept at navigating every nuance of ICT work permit applications.
Expand your reach, share expertise, and grow globally – ICT makes it simple.
Trusted by Clients from 30+ Countries
We provide trusted and effective mobility solutions, assisting clients from around the world in successfully starting their new life in Canada.
Categories of Intra Company Transfers
Executives
- Lead the company or a major part of it.
- Set goals and policies.
- Make important decisions with minimal supervision.
- Report to top-level executives, the board, or shareholders.
- Typically, they’re high up in the company hierarchy, like Vice Presidents.
Senior Managers
- Manage a department or a section of the company.
- Oversee the work of other managers, professionals, or key functions.
- Have the power to hire and fire or make significant personnel decisions.
- Operate with a good deal of freedom in their daily operations.
Specialized Knowledge
Specialized knowledge is defined as having advanced and unique knowledge of the company’s products, services, or processes that is not commonly known or readily transferable. This knowledge must be specific to the company and crucial to the Canadian branch’s operations, distinguishing it from general industry knowledge.
Documentary Evidence for Specialized Knowledge: The documents should include a detailed resume, reference letters, support letters from their current employers, and detailed job descriptions. Documentation should emphasize the applicant’s extensive and current experience within the company, emphasizing the impact of their specialized knowledge on the company’s productivity.
Salary Compliance for Specialized Knowledge Workers: Applicants must be compensated for their specialized skills. A salary is determined using the prevailing wage in an applicant’s region of work in Canada, according to the “Working in Canada” website from Employment and Social Development Canada. Non-monetary benefits such as accommodation and transportation are excluded from this salary calculation.
Training and Knowledge Transfer: Due to the specialized nature of the knowledge, workers typically do not need significant training in their field of expertise at the Canadian host company. Specialized knowledge is not commonly available in the Canadian labor market. Knowledge specialization is not determined by the length of the job offer in Canada.
Exceptions Under International Agreements: International agreements, like CUSMA, have specific exceptions to these rules. While a mandatory wage policy may not be strictly required for applicants under such agreements, the offered wage remains a critical indicator of specialized knowledge. This wage is a significant factor in immigration officers’ overall assessment.
General Requirements for Intra-Company Transfer
Employment with a Multinational Company: You should be working for a multinational company and plan to work at its parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate in Canada.
Qualifying Relationship Between Companies: The company in Canada where you plan to work must have a legitimate relationship with your current employer.
Role in the Company: You should transfer to a position as an executive, senior manager, or in a role requiring specialized knowledge.
Continuous Employment: You must have worked for at least one year in the past three years in a full-time role (not part-time) for the company that’s transferring you. This is required for the initial application. The time spent outside Canada during the duration of the work permit can be “recaptured” to provide five or seven full years of physical presence in Canada. If you haven’t worked full-time for a foreign company, immigration officers will consider other factors before deciding. These include:
- Your work experience duration with a foreign company.
- How similar your current and previous positions are.
- Whether your previous role was part-time, and how many days a week you worked.
Temporary Stay and Immigration Compliance: Your stay in Canada should be temporary, and you must meet all immigration rules for temporary visits.
Assessment Guidelines for Start-Ups
Office Space for the Company: Normally, the company should have a physical office in Canada, especially for employees with specialized knowledge. But for senior managers or executives, it’s okay if the company hasn’t yet secured a physical location. They can temporarily use an address provided by their legal counsel until they find a permanent space.
Staffing Plans: The company should have clear and realistic plans for hiring staff for its Canadian operations.
Financial Stability: The company must have enough funds to start operations in Canada and pay its employees.
Size of the Company for Executives or Managers: If the company is transferring executives or managers, it should be large enough to need these roles.
Requirements for Specialized Knowledge Workers: For specialized knowledge workers, the company should:
- Be expected to actively conduct business.
- Ensure that the specialized knowledge worker’s tasks are overseen and directed by the management team in Canada.
Documentation Requirements
Proof of Employment: Show that you currently work for a multinational company outside Canada and want to work at its parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate in Canada.
Employment History: Confirm that you’ve worked continuously (full-time, not just part-time hours added up) for this company outside Canada in a similar full-time role for at least one year during the past three years.
Job Details: Provide details about your job, including your position, title, role in the organization, and what your job involves.
Specialized Knowledge (if applicable): If your job requires specialized knowledge, you need to prove you have this knowledge and that the Canadian position requires it.
Canadian Job Details: Describe the job you will be doing in Canada, including position, title, role in the organization, and job duties.
Length of Stay: State how long you plan to stay in Canada.
Company Relationship: Describe how the Canadian company is related to your current company. You might need evidence to show this relationship.
Work Permit Duration
Initial Work Permit: Typically, valid for 1 year.
Extended Work Permit: Up to 2 years if working for a Canadian subsidiary of a foreign company.
Renewals: Possible for 2-3 years at a time, up to a total of 7 years, if conditions are met.
Start Your Journey with Can X
Your Canadian success story begins with one conversation. With tailored services, a proven track record, and an unwavering commitment to your success, Can X make the ICT process effortless. Contact us today to explore opportunities for business growth and global mobility. Let’s build your future in Canada together!
FAQs About Intra Company Transfer
Yes, ICT workers may qualify through Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program.
Business owners usually don’t need language tests. Key employees might need to show language skills depending on their role.
Senior staff can be paid by the home company. If paid in Canada, wages should match Canadian standards for the role.
No, it’s not mandatory. A business plan shows serious intent and research but isn’t a binding agreement.
The initial duration is up to one year for start-ups and three years for established businesses, with extensions available.
Yes, your Canadian business must have a physical location like an office or warehouse.
Yes, your company can transfer additional key personnel, provided they meet ICT eligibility criteria.
Any industry can qualify as long as the Canadian company is actively doing business.
No, ICT permits are employer-specific. However, your company in Canada can sell goods or services to clients.
Yes, your spouse can get an open work permit, and your children can attend public schools for free. Your family also gets access to healthcare.
Profitability isn’t required, but your company must actively do business, have a physical location, and employ at least one Canadian worker.
Yes, ICT permits can typically be extended if you continue to meet the program’s requirements.
No, ICT permits are specific to the existing company transferring you.
Managerial, executive, or roles requiring specialized knowledge qualify.
Yes, your company must employ at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Got more questions? We’re here with the answers!
Got more questions? Unsure about the process or what’s next? We’re here to guide, support, and simplify every step of your journey.
Your journey begins with one conversation – let’s start now!