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Canada — Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit
At a glance

Quick facts

No minimum investment; Typical timeline 3 months; 3 highlights

Minimum investment
No minimum
Currency: CAD
Typical timeline
From application start
Highlights
  • ICT
  • Corporate
  • Canada
~10 sec

Quick eligibility check

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1Question 1 of 4 — Worked full-time for 1+ year with the foreign company?
2Question 2 of 4 — Is the Canadian role executive, managerial, or specialized?
3Question 3 of 4 — Qualifying link between Canadian and foreign entities?
4Question 4 of 4 — For a new office, do you have a lease, plan, and staff outline?

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Company snapshot

LMIA-exempt transfer routeFor executives, managers, and specialized staffSupports both new and existing Canadian offices
Entity type
Branch, subsidiary, affiliate, or parent office
Ownership
Foreign ownership allowed with a valid corporate link
Office / facility
Leased office or active operational presence required
Indicative visa quota
LMIA-exempt under the International Mobility Program (IMP)

Program overview

The Canada Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit allows global businesses to transfer executives, managers, and specialized staff to their Canadian entity under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
This LMIA-exempt pathway supports both existing offices and new company setups, making it ideal for multinational expansion.
Xiphias Immigration assists with documentation, employer portal submissions, and full compliance for smooth, fast processing.

Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) — Canada

The Canada ICT Work Permit enables multinational companies to transfer key employees — executives, senior managers, or staff with specialized knowledge — to their Canadian branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate.
As part of the International Mobility Program (IMP), the ICT stream is LMIA-exempt, allowing faster processing and simpler compliance for business expansions in Canada.

Employer eligibility and obligations

Salary/role guidance used by authorities when issuing employment visas/sponsorship.

  • Canadian entity must submit an Offer of Employment via the Employer Portal and pay compliance fees.
  • Foreign and Canadian offices must share a qualifying relationship — parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate.
  • For new offices, include a business plan, lease, and hiring plan to prove operations.

Government fees

Official

Government fees

  • Work Permit Fee

    IRCC fee for main applicant and dependents; check current rates.

    —
  • Employer Compliance Fee

    Canadian employer pays this under the IMP when submitting the offer.

    —

Eligibility

  • 1+ year of full-time work with the foreign employer in the past 3 years.
  • Canadian role must be executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge.
  • Qualifying link between Canadian and foreign entities.
  • For new offices: provide business plan, lease, and hiring plan.

Key benefits

  • Fast, LMIA-exempt process under Canada’s IMP.
  • Ideal for executive and managerial transfers or new office setup.
  • Family can accompany; spouse may work, children may study.
  • Renewable work permits while business remains active.

After transfer and setup

Typical actions after license & visas are issued.

  1. Maintain payroll, tax filings, and active operations for renewals.
  2. Register for provincial and federal tax accounts.
  3. Support dependent work and study permit applications.

Application process

Process

How it works

  1. Step 1: Check eligibility

    Confirm the role fits ICT categories and verify one year of qualifying employment.

    GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks

  2. Step 2: Prepare documents

    Gather proof of corporate link, financials, business plan, and job details.

    GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks

  3. Step 3: Submit via Employer Portal

    Canadian entity files Offer of Employment under the IMP and pays compliance fees.

    GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks

  4. Step 4: Apply for ICT work permit

    Applicant submits work permit online with all supporting records.

    GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks

  5. Step 5: Biometrics & medicals

    Provide biometrics, medical exam, or police clearance if required.

    GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks

  6. Step 6: Decision & entry

    Receive IRCC approval and obtain the work permit at entry or by mail.

    GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Authority-specific notes

  • Manages ICT work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
  • Reviews company links, employment history, and operational legitimacy.

Who this program is NOT for

  • No valid business link between entities.
  • Less than one year of qualifying employment.
  • Incomplete corporate or financial documentation.
  • Canadian entity lacks active business operations.

Not a match? Explore other programs in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

No. It’s a work permit stream under Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP) and LMIA-exempt.

Executives, managers, or specialized knowledge employees with a valid company link.

Typically one year for new offices, up to three years for established entities; renewable with proof of activity.

Yes. Spouses can work and dependents can study while in Canada.