Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) Work Permit

Do you own a business overseas looking to expand your business or immigrate to Canada? Are you being transferred to Canada for work?

Intra-company Transfer (ICT) work permit, also known as C12 work permit, allows foreign business owners, senior managers and workers with specialised knowledge to establish/get transferred to a branch, affiliate or subsidiary in Canada, and receives a work permit.

As a part of the International Mobility Program, ICT applicants do not need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment. This will save applicants months in government processing time. Eligible applicants, or their spouse may apply for programs under the Express Entry system, or Provincial Nomination to immigrate to Canada.

We recommend ICT applicants to start their application process early, as almost all applicants need a business and many also need to incorporate their new company in Canada, which can take 3-6 months.

You may be eligible if you:

• Are currently working for an international company and wanting to work in a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of that company;

• Are transferring to a company that has a qualifying relationship with the company you are currently working for

• Are being transferred to an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge position 

• Have been employed (through payroll or contract directly with the company) at a company that plans to transfer you outside Canada in a similar full-time position for at least one year in the three years before you start this application  

Requirements for Canadian Start-up Companies 

To be eligible for workers to apply for ICT Work Permits your company must:

• Secure a physical area for operations, especially in the case of specialized knowledge. In senior management or executive cases it is acceptable if there is no new address for the start-up secured if the start-up is using the old company address. 

• Have plans to hire for the start-up 

• Have financial security to start business in Canada and pay wages for employees 

• Show that it will large enough to support executive or management function (if applicable)

• Show that it is expected to be doing business and that work is guided and directed by Canadian operations management (if applicable)

How Long Will My Work Permit Last?

ICT Work Permits last for one year or two years, determined by the visa officer. 

Renewals can be made if there is proof that:

• The Canadian and foreign companies still have a qualifying relationship 

• The new office has been conducting business for the past year through the sale of goods and services 

• The new office has hired employees