We recently had a chance to host Alireza Mansouri, an immigration consultant from Ottawa, for a great conversation about Canada’s Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) program — “Your Guide to Canada Work Permits – ICT Program Explained”. As someone who has successfully guided many clients through the process of applying for and obtaining ICT certification, he was able to provide insights and advice in a way that only someone who has been hands-on for years with the process can.

The conversation with Alireza is available on Joorney’s YouTube channel, but the response we got online made us aware of the greater demand for more comprehensive information about the ICT program. That’s why we’ve put together this detailed guide about the ICT program.

So, if you’re looking at options for starting your professional life in Canada, here’s what you need to know about their Intra-Company Transfer program.

What is the ICT Work Permit?

The main purpose of the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) program is to facilitate the temporary transfer of key employees from a foreign company to a related Canadian company. Within this overall goal, there are several specific objectives:

Support Canadian business operations

• Enable multinational companies to transfer executives, managers, and employees with specialized knowledge to their Canadian branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates to support and enhance business operations.

Promote general economic growth

• Stimulate economic activity in Canada by allowing companies to bring in skilled workers who can contribute to the company’s growth and competitiveness in the global market.

Enhance Canada’s global competitiveness

• Help Canadian businesses compete internationally by leveraging the expertise and experience of key personnel from their global operations.

Facilitate knowledge transfer

• Allow for the transfer of specialized knowledge, skills, and best practices between the foreign parent company and its Canadian counterpart, fostering innovation and improving efficiency.

Serve as a temporary work solution

• Provide a temporary work solution for companies needing to address short-term business needs or projects without resorting to permanent immigration pathways initially.

Encourage investment in Canada

• Make Canada an attractive destination for foreign direct investment by providing a streamlined process for transferring essential personnel.

What are the basic qualifying criteria for the ICT?

*Remember that the information presented here is intended to provide a general outline of the ICT program. Always consult an immigration professional for the latest information and full details regarding eligibility. 

To qualify for the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit in Canada, both the employer and the employee must meet specific eligibility criteria.

Employer Qualifications

• Qualifying Relationship. The foreign company and the Canadian company must have a qualifying relationship. This can include being a parent company, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate.
• Active Business Operations. Both the foreign and Canadian companies must be actively engaged in business. This means they must be operational and not merely exist on paper.

Employee Qualifications

• Employment History. The employee must have been continuously employed by the foreign company for at least one year within the three-year period preceding the application date. This employment should be in a full-time capacity, meaning the employee should have worked at least 30 hours per week.
• Position Held. The employee must hold a position in one of the following categories:

1. Executive Position. Employees who primarily direct the management of the enterprise or a major component or function of the enterprise.
2. Senior Managerial Position. Employees who primarily manage the organization or a department, subdivision, function, or component of the organization. This includes supervising and controlling the work of other managers, supervisors, or professional employees.
3. Specialized Knowledge Position. Employees with advanced expertise and proprietary knowledge about the company’s products, services, research, equipment, techniques, or management.

• Job Offer in Canada. The position in Canada must fall into one of the categories mentioned above (executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge). The employee should be transferring to a similar role in the Canadian company.

How long is ICT status valid?

Duration of Stay

The initial work permit for ICT participants is typically granted for up to three years for executives and managers and up to one year for specialized knowledge workers setting up a new office.

Executives and managers can extend their stay up to a maximum of seven years. Specialized knowledge workers can extend their stay up to a maximum of five years.

 

Other common questions about Intra-Company Transfers

• Can a spouse and children come to Canada with an ICT Work Permit?

Yes, the spouse and dependent children of ICT work permit holders can accompany them to Canada. Spouses are usually eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada and children can attend school and access necessary services.

• Can ICT Work Permit holders work and live anywhere in Canada?

No, ICT work permit holders are typically tied to the specific employer and location mentioned in their work permit application. Any changes to the employment situation, such as changing employers or moving to a different location, generally require a new work permit or an amendment to the existing permit.

• Can someone with an ICT Work Permit apply for Permanent Residence?

Yes, ICT work permit holders can apply for permanent residence. There are various methods for doing this, and we recommend consulting an immigration professional for more details. 

• Can the Canadian company engage in a different type of business from the foreign company under the ICT Program?

No, the Canada-based company should engage in the same or similar type of business as the foreign company. The ICT program is designed to facilitate the transfer of employees with specific knowledge or expertise relevant to the business operations of both the foreign and Canadian entities. A significant divergence in business activities could undermine the rationale for the transfer and might not meet the eligibility criteria for the ICT program.

• What happens if the Canadian company is not profitable in its first year?

A lack of profitability in the first year does not automatically disqualify the Canadian company from the ICT program. However, the company must still demonstrate that it is actively engaged in business operations and is a viable entity. This includes showing evidence of business activities, investments, and plans for future growth. The company should be prepared to provide a business plan, financial documents, and other evidence to support its ongoing operations and future potential.

• Can someone with an ICT Work Permit work for another company in Canada?

No, an ICT work permit is employer-specific. This means that the permit holder is only authorized to work for the Canadian company that sponsored their work permit. Working for another employer would require a new work permit application, which involves different criteria and processes.

• Are business plans a mandatory part of the application process?

A business plan is not mandatory for all Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) work permit applications, but it can be a crucial part of the application process in certain situations.

 

When a Business Plan is Required or Highly Beneficial

• Setting up a new office in Canada

If the ICT transfer involves establishing a new office in Canada, a business plan is generally required. The plan should outline the company’s goals, operations, market analysis, financial projections, and strategies for growth. This helps demonstrate the viability and legitimacy of the new operation.

• Demonstrating the business’ viability

If the Canadian entity is relatively new or if there are concerns about its financial stability, a detailed business plan can help demonstrate that the business is actively engaged in commercial activities and has a viable strategy for growth and profitability.

• Supporting Documentation

While not explicitly required for all ICT applications, a business plan can strengthen the application by providing comprehensive information about the company’s operations, the role of the transferred employee, and how their specialized knowledge or managerial skills will benefit the Canadian entity.