International Mobility Program
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)
Does your company need to transfer an executive, manager or specialized employee to Canada? An Intra-Company Transfer work permit may allow an eligible employee of a multinational company to work for a related Canadian operation without an LMIA.
The Canadian and foreign companies must have a qualifying business relationship, and both the company and employee must meet the applicable requirements.
01 What Is an Intra-Company Transfer?
An Intra-Company Transfer allows a multinational company to temporarily transfer certain key employees from a foreign business to a related Canadian operation. It may be used to transfer an executive, manager or specialized-knowledge employee to an existing Canadian office or to help establish a new branch, subsidiary or affiliate in Canada.
This option is available under the International Mobility Program because eligible transfers can benefit Canada by supporting business growth and allowing knowledge, expertise and investment to move into Canadian operations. For this reason, an eligible ICT does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
The work permit is employer-specific and connected to the employee’s position with the Canadian company. The applicable category depends on the employee’s role and whether the Canadian operation is new or already established:
- C61: establishing a new Canadian branch, subsidiary or affiliate;
- C62: transferring an executive or manager to an existing Canadian operation; and
- C63: transferring a specialized-knowledge employee to an existing Canadian operation.
Some employees may qualify under an international trade agreement, which may have different requirements and exemption codes.
02 Who Can Apply?
You may be eligible if you:
- currently work for a qualifying multinational company outside Canada;
- have generally worked continuously and full-time for the related foreign enterprise for at least one year during the previous three years;
- will work in Canada in a similar executive, managerial or specialized-knowledge role;
- are being transferred to a related Canadian parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate; and
- can demonstrate that the transfer will provide a significant benefit to Canada and meet the general requirements for a Canadian work permit.
The foreign and Canadian businesses must be genuine and actively doing business, unless the application is for an eligible new Canadian operation. The applicant’s experience, position and proposed duties must also support the requested transfer.
A specialized-knowledge employee must demonstrate both proprietary knowledge of the company and an advanced level of expertise.
03 How the Process Works
Confirm the Company and Employee Qualify
The company must first confirm that the foreign and Canadian entities have a qualifying corporate relationship. The employee’s work history, position and proposed Canadian duties must also meet the requirements of the applicable ICT category.
Prepare the Supporting Evidence
The application should include corporate documents showing the relationship between the companies, evidence of their business activities and proof of the employee’s qualifying experience.
For a new Canadian operation, additional evidence is normally required. This may include a business plan, proof that the company can support start-up and payroll costs, proposed premises, and a credible plan for establishing and staffing the Canadian business.
Submit the Offer of Employment
The Canadian company generally submits an offer of employment through the Employer Portal and pays the applicable employer-compliance fee. The company then provides the employee with the offer of employment number.
Apply for the Work Permit
The employee submits an employer-specific work permit application to IRCC with the offer number and supporting documents.
IRCC reviews the corporate relationship, the employee’s experience and duties, the Canadian position and the viability of the proposed transfer before making a final decision.
04 Frequently Asked Questions
Does an ICT work permit require an LMIA?+
Is it an open work permit?+
Can an ICT be used to open a new Canadian office?+
Yes, if an existing multinational company is establishing a new branch, subsidiary or affiliate in Canada. Under the C61 category, the company may transfer an eligible executive, manager or specialized-knowledge employee to establish the Canadian operation.
The multinational company must already have revenue-generating business operations in at least two countries, including its home country. The application must also show sufficient financial resources, suitable premises or a credible plan for securing them, and a realistic plan for establishing and staffing the Canadian operation.
How long may an ICT work permit be valid?+
The validity period depends on the applicable ICT category:
- C61 – New Canadian operation: An employee transferred to establish the multinational company’s new Canadian branch, subsidiary or affiliate may receive a work permit for up to one year.
- C62 – Executives and managers: An initial work permit may be issued for up to three years. Extensions of up to two years may be available, subject to a cumulative maximum of seven years.
- C63 – Specialized-knowledge employees: An initial work permit may be issued for up to three years. Extensions of up to two years may be available, subject to a cumulative maximum of five years.
Extensions are not automatic. The employee and the related companies must continue to meet the ICT requirements. The actual validity period may also depend on the employment offer, passport validity and IRCC’s assessment. Different periods may apply under an international trade agreement.
Can my family come to Canada with me?+
Does an ICT work permit lead to permanent residence?+
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Planning an intra-company transfer to Canada?
Get Personilized Guidance to confirm the qualifying company relationship, identify the appropriate employee category, prepare the supporting evidence and complete the employer and work permit steps.
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.
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
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.
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)
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.
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.
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
08 Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need an LMIA for an intra-company transfer?+
How long does the employee need to have worked for the company abroad?+
How long can an ICT work permit last?+
Can a start-up or brand-new Canadian office use the ICT?+
Can my spouse work and my children study while I'm on an ICT?+
Can an ICT lead to permanent residence?+
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.