01/08/2024
If you own a successful company outside of Canada and want to establish a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in Canada, you may qualify for a Canadian work permit through the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) program. This program allows you to bring international staff to Canada as ICT transfers. One of the key benefits is that ICTs do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before applying for a work visa. This makes the process faster, simpler, and more cost-effective than using the LMIA route to hire temporary foreign workers.
Qualified ICT workers offer a ‘significant economic benefit to Canada’ by sharing their skills and expertise. While ICT employees can originate from any country, the government has outlined specific categories that define what qualifies as an ICT.
ICT Categories for Canadian Work Permits The government has defined three main categories for ICT workers:
Executives – Mainly direct the management of the enterprise or a major segment of it, with little to no supervision from higher-level executives.
Senior Managers – Manage all or part of the enterprise and oversee or direct the work of other managers or professional employees.
Specialized Workers – Must possess specialized knowledge of the business’s products or services or have advanced expertise in the enterprise’s processes and procedures.
Workers transferred to Canada must have at least one year of full-time experience with a foreign company and be coming to Canada to perform similar work. A valid employer-employee relationship is required for the work permit.
Duration of ICT Work Permits Initial work permits under the Intra-Company Transfer program are typically issued for one year but can be renewed for additional years.
For renewals, you must provide evidence that:
- The Canadian and foreign companies continue to have a qualifying relationship.
- The new office has been continuously providing goods or services for the past year.
- The new office is adequately staffed.
Transitioning from ICT to Canadian PR Intra-company transfer workers are often well-positioned to become permanent residents of Canada and work anywhere in the country.
After a certain period, ICTs can apply for permanent residency through Canada’s Express Entry system, specifically the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. Since 2016, the Express Entry system has made it easier for ICTs to gain Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points without needing an LMIA, improving their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
Alternatively, there are options for transitioning to permanent residency outside of the Express Entry system, such as through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
