Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit

Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit: Eligibility and Requirements

The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) program allows multinational companies to transfer key employees to their Canadian operations. Here's what you need to know:

Eligibility for Companies

Companies can apply for an ICT work permit if:

• They have a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate relationship between the entities inside and outside Canada.
• Both entities are actively doing business, meaning they are providing goods or services regularly. The Canadian entity must be operational, not just a physical location.

Eligibility for Employees

Employees may qualify for an ICT work permit if they:

• Are employed by a multinational company and seek to transfer to a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate in Canada.
• Have been continuously employed (full-time) for at least one year in the last three years by the company transferring them.
  • For part-time employees, additional factors such as years of experience, job similarity, and the nature of the part-time role may be considered.
  • If the transfer follows a corporate acquisition or merger, the employee's one-year requirement may include time spent with an affiliate entity.
• Intend to stay in Canada temporarily.
• Meet all Canadian immigration requirements for temporary entry.

Eligible Roles

The position in Canada must fall under one of the following categories:

Executives and Senior Managers:

• Executive: Directs the management of the enterprise or a major part of it.
• Senior Manager: Manages all or part of the enterprise, supervising other managers or professional employees.

Functional Managers:

• Manages a specific function critical to achieving the company’s goals, not necessarily supervising employees.

Specialized Knowledge Workers:

• Possess advanced expertise and proprietary knowledge about the company’s products, services, processes, or procedures.

ICT for Start-Up Companies

Foreign businesses seeking to establish Canadian operations can leverage the ICT program to bring essential workers for start-up purposes. Requirements include:

• Financial Capability: Evidence that the company can cover start-up costs and employee compensation.
• Business Plan: A realistic staffing and operational plan for the new enterprise.
• Physical Premises: Proof of securing or arranging for physical office space in Canada.
• Role-Specific Justifications:
  • For executives/managers: Proof that the operation will be large enough to support their role.
  • For specialized knowledge workers: Evidence that the Canadian entity will be operational and managed from within.

ICT Work Permit Duration

• Start-Up Companies: Initially issued for one year, renewable if the companies maintain a qualifying relationship and continue to actively conduct business.
• General Transfers: Duration depends on the nature of the transfer but is temporary by design.

Key Benefits

The ICT work permit facilitates the smooth transfer of top talent, enabling multinational companies to expand and operate effectively in Canada. For employees, it offers valuable international work experience and professional growth.

For more information or to begin your application, contact us today!