Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) Work Permit

An applicant may be eligible for an ICT Work Permit if they:

• Are currently working for an international company and will work at the parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of that company in Canada;

• Are transferred to a company with a qualifying relationship with the current employer;

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

• Have been employed (through payroll or direct contract) at the company outside of Canada in a similar full-time position for at least one year in the last three years  

If the Canadian company is being newly established, then additionally the new company must:

• Secure a physical area for operations, although in some cases it is acceptable if there is no new address yet 

• Have plans to hire employees 

• Prove the necessary funds to start business in Canada and pay wages

• Demonstrate the business will be large enough to support executive or management function (if applicable)

• Demonstrate that operations are guided and directed by Canadian management (if applicable)

ICT applicants do not need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which saves money plus many months in government processing time. 

If eligible, applicants and their spouse may apply to immigrate permanently to Canada under the Express Entry system, or Provincial Nomination program.

We recommend ICT applicants to start their application early, as the process can take 3-6 months, especially if a new Canadian company must be incorporated.

How Long is the ICT Work Permit valid?

ICT Work Permits last for one year or two years, as determined by the visa officer. Visa holders can renew their work permits for up to seven years, if the business continues to operate as planned. 

Check your eligibility now!

1. Use our free eligibility checker to quickly see all work permits that you may qualify for.

2. Or, start your ICT application by creating an account. It is free and will check if you are eligible. Review all the information and documents you must provide, and see all the fees required - no surprises!  With an account, you can schedule a call with one of our immigration experts.