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Work permits

ICT Work Permit

LMIA-exempt intra-company transfer permits for eligible executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers.

What is an Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit?

The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) work permit allows multinational companies to transfer qualifying employees from a foreign office to a Canadian parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate. ICT work permits are LMIA-exempt under exemption code C12 through the International Mobility Program (IMP), meaning the employer does not need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

This pathway is governed by section R205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and Canada's obligations under international trade agreements including CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement), CPTPP, and GATS.

Three ICT categories

  • Executives — individuals who direct the management of the organization or a major component of it, establish goals and policies, and exercise wide latitude in decision-making. They receive only general supervision from higher-level executives, a board of directors, or shareholders.
  • Senior Managers — individuals who manage the organization, a department, subdivision, function, or component of it. They supervise and control the work of other managers or professional employees, have the authority to hire and fire (or recommend such actions), and exercise discretion over day-to-day operations.
  • Specialized Knowledge Workers — employees who possess advanced proprietary knowledge of the company's products, services, processes, or procedures, or advanced expertise in the organization's operations that is not easily available in the Canadian labour market.

Core eligibility requirements

  • Qualifying corporate relationship — the foreign and Canadian entities must be a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of each other. Shared ownership, control, or common management must be demonstrable.
  • Prior employment — the transferee must have been continuously employed by the foreign entity for at least one year within the three years preceding the application, in a position that was full-time and in a qualifying capacity.
  • Qualifying position in Canada — the Canadian role must be at the executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge level. The duties must be clearly described and consistent with the category being claimed.
  • Active Canadian operations — the Canadian entity must be actively doing business (producing goods or providing services). A shell company or passive entity will not qualify.

ICT for new Canadian offices

When the Canadian operation is a start-up (operating for less than one year), ICT work permits can still be issued, but with additional scrutiny. Officers will look for:

  • A detailed business plan showing realistic projections for the Canadian office.
  • Evidence of secured commercial premises or lease agreements.
  • Financial capacity of the foreign parent to support the new operation.
  • The initial work permit for a new-office ICT is typically limited to one year.

Permit duration

  • Executives and senior managers: initial permits of up to three years, with extensions possible for a maximum cumulative stay of seven years.
  • Specialized knowledge workers: initial permits of up to three years, with extensions possible for a maximum cumulative stay of five years.
  • New-office ICT: initial permits limited to one year, renewable once the Canadian office demonstrates active operations.

Key evidence areas

  • Corporate registration documents for both foreign and Canadian entities.
  • Organizational charts showing the transferee's position in both entities.
  • Proof of qualifying corporate relationship (ownership records, annual reports, share certificates).
  • Detailed job descriptions for both the foreign and Canadian positions with duty breakdowns.
  • Employment records confirming at least one year of qualifying experience abroad.
  • Evidence of Canadian business activity (contracts, clients, revenue, payroll records, CRA filings).
LMIA exemption does not mean less scrutiny

ICT applications receive detailed officer review. The corporate relationship, the transferee's qualifications, and the legitimacy of the Canadian operation are all closely examined. A well-structured evidence package is critical.

How we help

We structure corporate and role evidence for the correct ICT category, prepare detailed organizational charts and duty descriptions, verify corporate relationship documentation, and build a coherent filing narrative. Whether you are transferring an executive to an established office or setting up a new Canadian branch, we ensure the application addresses every assessment criterion officers are trained to evaluate.