Intra-company transfer work permits in Canada

Who may qualify for an ICT work permit?

Under the general ICT provisions, the employee must currently work abroad for a multinational company in an executive, managerial or specialized-knowledge role. They normally need one continuous year of full-time employment in a similar role abroad during the previous three years.

The transfer must be temporary, between businesses with a qualifying parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate relationship. The Canadian operation and the proposed work must meet the category's requirements, including significant benefit to Canada. A job title or incorporation certificate alone is insufficient.

The general categories distinguish establishing a new qualifying enterprise (C61), executives and managers (C62), and specialized-knowledge workers (C63). An applicable trade agreement may provide a different route. Nationality and the agreement's specific rules matter.

Read IRCC's general ICT requirements.

Can a business owner open a Canadian company and transfer?

Opening a company does not establish ICT eligibility. Under the general new-enterprise rules, the foreign business must already be a multinational with revenue-generating operations in at least two countries before establishing its Canadian enterprise. A business operating only in its home country does not meet that requirement merely by planning its first foreign expansion into Canada.

What should you prepare for an initial assessment?

Organize the facts into three groups so your adviser can identify the relevant rules and evidence gaps:

• The businesses: ownership and control, their relationship, countries of operation, and the Canadian operation's current activities or expansion plans.
• The employee: citizenship, immigration status, employment dates, actual responsibilities, qualifications and specialist expertise.
• The assignment: Canadian duties, reporting structure, work location, compensation, intended duration and the business reason for the transfer.

This is a starting point for a consultation, not a complete application checklist. The supporting records should demonstrate the facts, rather than simply repeat the terminology used in the rules.

How does the application work?

1. Assess the category. Review the general ICT provisions and any applicable trade-agreement route before choosing an exemption code.
2. Prepare the employer submission. For most employer-specific LMIA-exempt permits, the employer submits an offer through IRCC's Employer Portal and pays the $230 employer compliance fee, unless exempt. The worker needs the offer number for the work permit application.
3. Prepare the worker's application. Match the proposed duties and supporting evidence to the selected category. Check the applicable application instructions, biometrics, medical examination and travel-document requirements.
4. Plan entry and compliance. Approval and travel are separate practical steps. The worker must follow the permit conditions, and the employer has continuing compliance obligations.

IRCC: hiring through the International Mobility Program.

Can I apply at the airport or border?

Port-of-entry applications are available only to people who meet the relevant eligibility rules. They are not a universal alternative to applying online. Confirm the permitted application route before travelling. Do not plan a transfer around an assumed same-day decision or assume that presenting at the border removes the need for supporting documents.

Check IRCC's port-of-entry application rules. Processing time depends on the application route and circumstances; an ICT category alone does not guarantee a decision date.

Can an ICT work permit lead to permanent residence?

An ICT permit does not automatically become permanent residence. Qualifying Canadian employment may support a separate immigration strategy. For example, the Canadian Experience Class generally requires at least one year of eligible paid Canadian skilled work within the previous three years, as well as language and other requirements. Self-employment generally does not count, apart from specified exceptions, so business owners need particular care.

Meeting a program's minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to apply. Check the Canadian Experience Class requirements.

Upcoming change: IRCC has announced Express Entry scoring changes effective November 3, 2026, including qualifying high-wage occupations and job offers. These are not automatic benefits of holding an ICT permit. Read the announced changes and effective date.

Choose the next step for your transfer

If you are comparing routes, see our LMIA-exempt work permit overview covering ICTs and trade agreements. If no exemption fits, our LMIA page explains high-wage, low-wage and Global Talent Stream options.

For a specific transfer, speak with Chris about the businesses, the employee and the proposed role. Existing clients can use the dedicated client booking calendar.