Canada
International Mobility Program
Intra-Company Transfer to Canada
The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) work permit lets multinational companies move key employees into a Canadian branch, subsidiary, affiliate, or parent company — without first obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It is designed for executives, senior managers, and specialized-knowledge workers who already have a track record with the organization abroad and bring significant benefit to the Canadian operation.
01 What is an Intra-Company Transfer
An Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) is an employer-specific work permit issued under the International Mobility Program that allows a multinational company to temporarily transfer certain employees from a foreign office to a related business in Canada. It is processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption, on the basis that the transfer provides a significant benefit to Canada.
As of June 2026, IRCC processes the general ICT stream under paragraph R205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, exemption code C12. Citizens of countries with free trade agreements (for example CUSMA) may instead qualify under separate, often broader provisions — the correct code is confirmed case by case before filing.
Because no LMIA is required, the ICT route is often faster and less burdensome than an LMIA-based work permit. It is intended for genuine transfers within a corporate group — not as a way to move a company's general workforce to Canada.
02 The Qualifying Business Relationship
An ICT only works where there is a genuine corporate link between the foreign employer and the Canadian entity. The Canadian business the employee is transferring to must be a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of the company abroad.
- Parent — a company that owns or controls the other entity
- Subsidiary — a company that is owned or controlled by the other entity
- Branch — an operating division or office of the same company in another country
- Affiliate — companies under common ownership or control
Both the foreign and Canadian entities generally must be real, active businesses that are doing business — not shell companies. Applications are expected to include evidence of the ownership relationship and of ongoing or planned operations in Canada.
03 The Three Eligible Categories
The ICT category is limited to three types of senior or highly knowledgeable roles. The employee must be transferring into a comparable role in Canada.
Executives
Individuals who primarily direct the management of the organization, or a major component of it, and set broad corporate policy with wide latitude in decision-making.
Senior Managers
Individuals who manage all or part of the organization, supervise other managers or professional staff, or control an essential function — with authority over day-to-day operations.
Specialized Knowledge Workers
Individuals with advanced, proprietary expertise in the company's products, services, processes, or systems that is uncommon and not readily available in the Canadian labour market.
The bar for specialized knowledge is high and has been applied more strictly in recent IRCC guidance. It is not enough to be experienced or important — the application must show what the person knows, why that knowledge is unusual within the company, and why it is needed in Canada. Wages at or above the prevailing wage for the occupation and location are also expected. Confirm the current requirements before filing.
04 Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for an ICT work permit, an employee generally must:
- be currently employed by the company outside Canada and transferring to a qualifying related entity in Canada
- be entering to work as an executive, senior manager, or specialized-knowledge worker
- have at least one continuous year of full-time employment with the company abroad within the three years immediately before the application, in a similar position
- be transferring temporarily, with the intent to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay
- meet general admissibility requirements (security, criminality, and health, with a medical exam if required)
As of June 2026, IRCC's published criteria require at least one year of continuous full-time employment with the foreign enterprise in the previous three years. For specialized-knowledge applicants, recent guidance expects greater experience and closer scrutiny. Re-verify the current criteria on the official IRCC page before applying.
05 How to Apply
An ICT involves steps for both the employer and the transferring employee. The general process is:
Confirm the Relationship and the Role
Establish that the Canadian entity is a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate, and that the position is executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge.
Submit the Offer of Employment & Pay the Compliance Fee
For LMIA-exempt hires, the Canadian employer submits an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pays the employer compliance fee. This generates an offer of employment number the worker needs.
Prepare Supporting Documents
Assemble evidence of the corporate relationship, the employee's role and one-year qualifying employment, the business activities in Canada, and — for specialized knowledge — proof of the advanced, proprietary expertise.
Submit the Work Permit Application
The employee applies for the work permit, citing the correct LMIA-exemption code and the offer of employment number. Where eligible, an application may be made online, at a visa office, or at a port of entry.
Provide Biometrics and Receive a Decision
The applicant gives biometrics if required. If approved, they receive authorization to work in Canada, and — if applicable — a visa or eTA to travel.
As of June 2026, the employer compliance fee is $230 CAD, paid through the Employer Portal before the worker applies (open work permit holders and certain employers are exempt). Fees and processing times are set by IRCC and change — confirm the current amounts on the official IRCC fee schedule at the time of filing.
06 Duration & Start-Up vs Established Business
ICT work permits are issued for a defined period and can be extended in stages, up to a maximum total stay that depends on the category. The context — whether the Canadian entity is a brand-new start-up office or an established business — affects the initial permit length.
Executives & Senior Managers
Total period of stay may not exceed 7 years, built up through an initial permit and renewals.
Specialized Knowledge
Total period of stay may not exceed 5 years, again reached through an initial permit and renewals.
Start-Up Office
When the transfer is to open a new Canadian office, the initial permit is typically shorter, with renewals available once the operation is established and meeting expectations.
As of June 2026, IRCC's instructions set an initial maximum of 3 years (or 1 year for a new start-up office), with renewals generally in 2-year increments, up to a total of 7 years for executives and managers and 5 years for specialized-knowledge workers. These caps are set by IRCC and subject to change — confirm the current figures before relying on them.
07 Family & the Path to Permanent Residence
For many transferees, the ICT is not only a way to work in Canada temporarily — it can also be a stepping stone toward permanent residence (PR) and a way to keep the family together.
- Accompanying family — a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be able to apply to join the transferee; in many cases the spouse can apply for an open work permit and children can study, subject to current eligibility rules
- Canadian work experience — time spent working in Canada in a skilled role can support future PR applications, including federal economic programs such as Express Entry
- Senior roles and PR — executive, managerial, and skilled experience gained on an ICT can strengthen an eventual PR profile, though PR is assessed under separate programs with their own criteria
An ICT work permit does not automatically lead to permanent residence. Spousal open-work-permit eligibility and PR program criteria change over time and depend on the specific role and program — confirm current eligibility with IRCC before planning around them.
08 Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need an LMIA for an intra-company transfer?+
No. The ICT category is an LMIA exemption under the International Mobility Program — the Canadian employer does not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment. In most cases, however, the employer must still submit an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pay the employer compliance fee before the worker applies.
How long does the employee need to have worked for the company abroad?+
As of June 2026, the employee generally must have at least one continuous year of full-time employment with the foreign company within the three years immediately before the application, in a position similar to the Canadian role. Specialized-knowledge applicants are held to closer scrutiny and may be expected to show more experience. Confirm the current criteria with IRCC.
How long can an ICT work permit last?+
Permits are issued for a set period and can be renewed up to a maximum total stay. As of June 2026, the total period of stay generally may not exceed 7 years for executives and senior managers, or 5 years for specialized-knowledge workers, with a shorter initial permit for a new start-up office. These limits are set by IRCC and can change.
Can a start-up or brand-new Canadian office use the ICT?+
Yes. The ICT can be used to send an executive, manager, or specialized-knowledge worker to open or grow a new Canadian office. For start-ups, the initial permit is typically shorter, and renewals depend on showing the Canadian operation is genuinely established and active, with the resources to support the role.
Can my spouse work and my children study while I'm on an ICT?+
In many cases a spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit and dependent children can attend school, but they must apply for their own status and eligibility depends on current immigration rules. Because these rules change, it's best to confirm current eligibility with IRCC before making plans.
Can an ICT lead to permanent residence?+
An ICT is a temporary work permit and does not grant PR on its own. However, the Canadian work experience gained on an ICT — especially in a skilled or senior role — can support a later PR application through programs such as Express Entry, each of which has its own separate criteria.
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Planning a transfer to your Canadian office?
Our licensed consultants (RCICs regulated by the CICC) can help confirm the qualifying relationship, structure a strong ICT application, and guide both your company and your employee through every step.
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice; it does not guarantee any outcome or eligibility. Immigration rules, fees, and processing times change — confirm current requirements with IRCC. BroadGate's advisors are licensed/regulated immigration consultants (RCICs regulated by the CICC), not lawyers.