Intra-company transfer (ICT)
Executives, managers & specialized knowledge - LMIA-exempt
Move key people from your foreign operations to a qualifying Canadian entity: no LMIA or Job Bank cycle when ICT criteria are met - we prepare the employer offer and support the work permit pathway.
ICT at a glance
- No LMIA when requirements are met
- Executive, senior manager, or specialized knowledge
- Recent foreign employment in group
- Qualifying corporate relationship
What is Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)?
Intra-Company Transfer is an LMIA-exempt stream under the International Mobility Program. It allows multinational companies to transfer executives, senior managers, or specialized knowledge workers from a foreign office to a Canadian parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.
There is no LMIA and no recruitment advertising. The employer submits an offer of employment to IRCC and pays the employer compliance fee ($230). The worker still needs a work permit. We help employers confirm eligibility and prepare the full ICT package.
At a glance
- No LMIA - faster processing
- Executive, manager, or specialized knowledge
- 1 year abroad in past 3 years
- Qualifying corporate relationship
ICT Categories
Two main streams - we help you determine which applies and prepare the application.
Senior Manager / Executive
Transfer senior managers or executives to your Canadian entity. Must have been employed abroad in a qualifying role for at least one year in the past three years.
Specialized Knowledge
Transfer employees with specialized knowledge of your company's product, processes, or services. One year of qualifying employment abroad in the past three years required.
Why Employers Use ICT
- No LMIA required - faster than standard LMIA-based permits
- No Job Bank advertising - no recruitment documentation for ESDC
- Employer pays employer compliance fee ($230) and submits offer of employment to IRCC
- Supports global mobility and key talent deployment
Key Requirements
- •Qualifying relationship: Canadian entity must be parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the foreign company
- •Employee must have been employed by the company (or affiliate) abroad for at least 1 year in the 3 years before transfer
- •Role in Canada must be executive/manager or specialized knowledge; job duties must align with IRCC criteria
- •Genuine transfer - temporary assignment to Canada, not a permanent move to replace Canadian workers
Planning to Transfer Key Staff to Canada?
We confirm the corporate relationship, employee history, and role - and prepare the employer offer and work permit package.
Intra-Company Transfer FAQ
Common questions about ICT work permits for employers.
What is an Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)?▼
ICT is an LMIA-exempt work permit that lets multinational companies transfer executives, senior managers, or specialized knowledge workers from abroad to a Canadian branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. No LMIA is required; the employer submits an offer of employment to IRCC and pays the employer compliance fee.
What is the qualifying relationship?▼
The Canadian entity must be a parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the foreign company that employs the worker. IRCC has specific definitions; we help you confirm the relationship qualifies.
How long must the employee have worked for the company?▼
The employee must have been employed by the company (or an affiliate) abroad for at least one year in the three years immediately before the transfer. The role abroad should be in a similar executive, manager, or specialized knowledge capacity.
What is specialized knowledge?▼
Specialized knowledge means knowledge of the company's product, services, research, equipment, techniques, or management that is not readily available in the Canadian labour market. The role in Canada must require that knowledge. IRCC assesses this based on the job duties and evidence provided.
How can We help employers with ICT?▼
We confirms eligibility (relationship, employee history, role), prepares the employer's offer of employment and supporting documentation, and supports the worker's work permit application. We ensure the package meets IRCC's ICT criteria.
Transfer Your Key Talent to Canada
No LMIA. We confirm eligibility and prepare the ICT package for employer and worker.
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