An intra-company transfer (ICT) lets a multinational corporation move an executive, manager or specialized knowledge worker to a related entity in Canada without an LMIA.
Main requirements (R205(a))
According to IRCC's instructions, applicants must:
- currently work in an executive, managerial or specialized knowledge role for an enterprise of a multinational corporation (MNC) outside Canada;
- have worked continuously full-time in a similar role for at least 1 year in the 3 years before applying;
- be transferring temporarily in the same capacity, with their foreign position kept for their return;
- be moving to a Canadian entity that is a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate of their current employer;
- both entities must be actively doing business throughout the transfer.
The work must create a significant benefit for Canada.
The three ICT codes
| Code | Who | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| C61 | Establishing a new enterprise (branch, subsidiary) in Canada | Up to 1 year, no extension under this code |
| C62 | Executives (TEER 0) or managers (TEER 1) | Initially up to 3 years, 2-year renewals, 7 years maximum |
| C63 | Specialized knowledge | Initially up to 3 years, 2-year renewals, 5 years maximum |
Total time as an ICT is strictly limited to 7 years.
Wages
According to IRCC, wages must not be below the occupation's prevailing wage at the work location (on Job Bank). Housing and travel allowances don't count. Pay can come from abroad in foreign currency but must match Canadian levels.
The link between the companies
- It must be based on ownership and control: parent, subsidiary, branch, affiliate.
- Supplier, client, contract, franchise or licensing relationships don't count.
- An entity with no employees that exists in name only, or just a representative office, isn't considered to be doing business.
Note ICT isn't meant for moving a company's general workforce to Canada; it serves specific, temporary business needs.
C11: significant benefit to Canada
Opening a Canadian branch from a Vietnamese company