Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit

An Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) work permit allows multinational companies to relocate executives, senior managers, and specialized knowledge workers from a foreign branch to a Canadian parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate. ICT falls under the International Mobility Program, so no LMIA is required, saving the employer $1,000 and the 28-day advertising window. The worker must have at least one continuous year of full-time employment at the foreign affiliate within the past three years. ICT supports global business expansion in Canada under the IMP framework.

ICT processing in 2026 runs approximately 4 to 8 weeks for online applications submitted through the IRCC portal. Visa-exempt nationals can apply at a Canadian port of entry for same-day processing. Add 1 to 2 weeks for biometrics if required, and possible medical exam time. The employer must first submit the offer through the Employer Portal and pay the $230 compliance fee before the worker applies. Strong supporting documentation, including organizational charts and proof of qualifying foreign employment, speeds officer review and reduces refusal risk.

No formal Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident program like the 2021 special pathway has been announced for 2026. IRCC currently directs temporary residents toward existing economic streams: Express Entry category-based draws for healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and French speakers; reduced but active PNP allocations; the Atlantic Immigration Program; and the Caregiver Pathways pilot launched in 2024. ICT workers commonly transition through Canadian Experience Class once they have one year of Canadian work experience. Book our $100 paid consultation (credited if retained) for tailored pathway planning.

In 2026, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland) lead PR accessibility because their PNP draws have lower CRS cutoffs and acute labour shortages. Saskatchewan's Occupations In-Demand stream and Manitoba's Skilled Worker stream accept candidates without job offers when occupations align with provincial priorities. Atlantic Immigration Program requires a designated employer offer. Ontario and BC remain competitive with high cutoffs. Quebec runs its own French-focused selection system. Match your NOC, language ability, work experience, and family ties to the most strategic province.

ICT requirements: the worker must have completed at least one continuous year of full-time employment at the foreign company within the past three years; the role in Canada must be executive, senior management, or specialized knowledge; the Canadian entity must have a qualifying relationship to the foreign company (parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate); both entities must be actively doing business. Specialized knowledge ICTs require proprietary knowledge unique to the company. The employer pays the $230 compliance fee. The worker pays $155 plus $85 biometrics. Initial permits issue for one to three years.

Intra-company transfer means a multinational employer moves an existing employee from one of its foreign offices to its Canadian operation. The Canadian entity must be a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of the foreign employer, and both must actively conduct business. Eligible roles fall into three categories: executives setting overall company direction, senior managers overseeing major functions, and specialized knowledge workers with proprietary expertise. The transferee needs at least one continuous year of full-time employment with the foreign affiliate during the prior three years. ICT is LMIA-exempt under IMP.

Core ICT requirements: at least 12 months of continuous full-time employment at the foreign company within the past three years; the Canadian role must be executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge; a qualifying corporate relationship between the foreign and Canadian entities (parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate); both entities actively doing business. Documentation includes organizational charts, proof of foreign employment, role descriptions, and business proof. Employer compliance fee is $230. Worker fee is $155 plus $85 biometrics. Initial permits run one to three years, with extensions up to seven years total for executives and managers.

There is no special TR to PR program in 2026 like the one offered in 2021. Temporary residents pursue PR through standard economic streams: Express Entry (FSWP, CEC, FSTP) including category-based draws targeting healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and French speakers; PNP nominations matched to provincial priorities; the Atlantic Immigration Program for designated employers; and the 2024 Caregiver Pathways. Eligibility depends on your NOC, language scores, education, work experience, and provincial ties. Our RCIC team reviews your profile at a $100 paid consultation, credited if you retain us.