Intra Company Transfer Photo

Intra Company Transfer (ICT): Hire a Foreign Worker for Your Canadian Operations

In our global world today, multinational businesses often rely on the intra company transfer to facilitate the movement of talent across borders. It’s an essential program that ensures key personnel with specialized knowledge can perform functions for their Canadian employer or affiliate and we at Tudor House Consulting are here to make it work seamlessly.

What Is an Intra Company Transfer?

The intra company transfer program is basically one of the most important part of Canada’s international mobility program under which foreign enterprises can easily transfer a foreign worker with advanced proprietary knowledge to a Canadian company.

In addition, the program also supports business operations and provides for the sharing of knowledge, which in many cases eliminates the need for a labour market impact assessment (LMIA).

Overall, the program eliminates many hurdles you’d occasionally bump into when trying to hire foreign nationals who don’t yet have a foreign residence in Canada. It’s a welcome reprieve for many companies seeking to upscale their Canadian operations, especially in the face of increasing demand for free trade agreements and international collaborations.

Who Qualifies for an Intra Company Transfer ICT Work Permit?

Before hiring foreign nationals, you must first ensure they meet the eligibility for an ICT work permit which allows them to work in any Canadian enterprises. Here are the key qualifications they should meet:

  1. Qualifying Relationship: The employee must work for a parent company, foreign company, or Canadian company subsidiary that actively generates revenue. That company must have 2 locations outside of Canada (in two separate countries).
  2. Specialized Knowledge: Employees must demonstrate specialized knowledge about their company’s proprietary knowledge or business operations.
  3. Key Personnel: Senior managers and managerial employees transferring under this category must actively oversee a major component thereof.
  4. Physical Office and Business Plan: The Canadian Company must maintain a physical location and submit a viable plan for your business outlining the benefits of the transfer to the Canadian labour market*

*If the Canadian company is a new branch.

Advantages of the Intra Company Transfer Program

  • Streamlined Process: Unlike other work visa categories, ICT program most often skips LMIA requirement which expedites the overall ICT work permit application process.
  • Significant Benefits: The program supports the Canadian vision to enhance economic growth with skilled immigration offering free health care, pathways to permanent residence, and easy reach to global market.
  • Enhanced Mobility: By enabling intra-company transfer between at least two countries, the program enhances the mobility of global talent and international network.

What are the Key Features of the ICT Work Permit?

  • Duration: Initial work permits are normally issued for a period of one – three years and can be renewed based on the employment period and continued business requirements.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Intended for foreign nationals from visa-exempt and non-visa-exempt countries, who have specialized knowledge or handle critical business functions.
  • Compliance: ICT work permits are premised on fair Canadian median wage standards and salaries that must meet Canada’s prevailing wage requirements.

Alternatives to the ICT

  • Canada has international trade agreements with many countries and economic regions throughout the world. These agreements allow for the transfer of key occupations in and out of Canada without the requirement for an LMIA.
  • Contact us for more information.

What Should a Specialized Knowledge Worker Demonstrate When Applying for an ICT Work Permit?

The key pillar of Canada’s ICT program is the requirement for a foreign worker to have specialized knowledge. It requires that the foreign national or the intra company transferees have:

  • Proficient knowledge of the enterprise’s general work force operations 
  • Expertise in proprietary knowledge not readily available in the Canadian labour market.
  • Insight into revenue-generating operations is seen as critical to the success of the company.

Employees or intra company transferees must be able to demonstrate specialized knowledge through certifications, e.g., French language test results or a track record of having made significant contributions to their Home Country operations.

How to Ensure a Smooth ICT Work Permit Application for International Mobility Program

Applying for an ICT permit requires a comprehensive plan. Our regulated Canadian Immigration consulting specialists help you:

  • Confirm the qualifying relationship between the foreign company and the subsidiary in Canada.
  • Draft a detailed business plan to demonstrate that the transfer would bring a major benefit to your Canadian enterprise.
  • Communicate with immigration officers on your behalf, respond to issues and verify conformity under international agreements.

Why Choose Tudor House Consulting?

Many Canadian sectors, such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and finance, commonly use the ICT scheme to bring key employees into their Canadian companies. They rely on multinational companies to transfer professional employees and senior executive staff based overseas to manage their international projects.

At Tudor House Consulting, we know how challenging this can get, considering how the mechanisms of the Canadian Immigration System are complex. The delicate nature of the ICT work permit category adds to the overall headache of getting things over the line. 

As your legal representative in the Intra Company Transfer scheme, we specialize in providing:

  • Specific advice for businesses actively engaged in international operations
  • Guide you on how to maintain physical commercial premises in Canada.
  • Support to obtain work permits for ICT work permit holders as per the eligibility criteria.
  • Permanent residence

We also advise clients from international companies on setting up their operations in Canada and deploying key personnel to be responsible for major components of their global enterprises.

For companies that want to move employees from at least one country or multiple countries to Canada, the intra company transfer program is an excellent option. We at Tudor House Consulting will partner with your organization to ensure that your company’s business plan meets Canadian immigration guidelines and paves the way for sustained growth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Can Intra Company Transferees Apply For Permanent Residence In Canada?
    Yes, many intra company transferees may be eligible to apply for permanent residence after meeting specific criteria. Pathways such as the Express Entry system allow foreign nationals with Canadian work experience to transition to permanent status.
  2. How Does the Company’s Workforce Benefit from ICT?
    The workers of a company can benefit from the ICT program when highly- skilled employees with specialized knowledge are transferred to work in Canada and contribute to the growth and prosperity of Canadian operations.
  3. How Does Citizenship Canada Assess Intra Company Transfer Applications?
    Citizenship Canada would assess the application based on various factors, including the qualifying relationship between foreign enterprise and Canadian subsidiary, the role of such employee and also whether they possess specialized knowledge or managerial expertise.
  4. Can a Foreign National Work For Multiple Companies Under The ICT Program?
    No. The ICT program is specific to the transferring company. However, foreign nationals can work on projects with respect to Canadian operations and may apply for new permits if transferring to another eligible employer.