Intra-Company Transfer at a glance
Sobirovs Law Firm is a Toronto business immigration law firm that helps companies use the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) work permit to bring an executive, senior manager, or specialized-knowledge employee to a related Canadian company — without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). If you already run a business in more than one country, ICT is one of the most direct ways to open a Canadian office, in Toronto or elsewhere in Canada, and move here with your family to run it.
It is also a demanding program. Since IRCC’s October 2024 update, officers look more closely at wages, at how the two companies are related, and at the business case for new offices — which is why the way your application is built matters as much as whether you qualify. This guide, written by our Toronto intra-company transfer lawyers, explains who qualifies, what IRCC checks, how long the permit lasts, and how ICT can lead to permanent residence.
ICT at a glance
What is the Intra-Company Transfer work permit?
ICT is part of Canada’s International Mobility Program. It is LMIA-exempt under section 205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), because moving key people between related companies brings investment, jobs and know-how to Canada.
The permit is employer-specific: you can work only for the Canadian company named on it. Your company abroad and your Canadian company must be related — as parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate — and both must be actively doing business for as long as you hold the permit.
Key takeaway
ICT is as much about your companies as it is about you. The officer assesses the business on both sides of the border, not only your own experience.
Who qualifies for an ICT work permit?
You need to meet every core requirement below, and your role in Canada must fit one of the ICT categories.
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A qualifying relationship between the companies
The foreign and Canadian companies must be parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate, based on ownership and control. Client, supplier, licensing and franchise relationships do not qualify.
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A multinational company
The foreign company must already earn revenue from business operations in at least one country besides its home country. A company that only operates at home cannot use the general ICT to open its first foreign office. Treaty routes such as CUSMA, CETA and the UK agreement do not apply this test.
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At least 1 year of continuous full-time work
You must have worked full-time for the company in a similar role for at least one year within the last three years. Part-time work cannot be added up to make a year.
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A similar senior or specialized role in Canada
You will work for the Canadian company as an executive, senior manager or specialized-knowledge employee.
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Both companies actively doing business
Each company must regularly and continuously provide goods or services. A company that exists only on paper, or only through an agent or an empty office, does not count.
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A salary at or above the prevailing wage
Your base salary should meet the Job Bank median wage for your occupation and city. Housing, travel and cost-of-living allowances do not count toward it.
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Temporary intent
You must satisfy the officer that you will leave Canada if your status ends. Planning for permanent residence at the same time is allowed.
The ICT categories
IRCC issues ICT permits under three codes. Your category decides how long you can stay and how your wage is tested.
Executives
Who it fits
Owners, partners and senior leaders who direct the company or a major function and set its goals.
Permit length
Up to 3 years at first, renewable to a 7-year total.
Senior managers
Who it fits
Managers who supervise other managers or professionals, or who run a department or key function.
Permit length
Up to 3 years at first, renewable to a 7-year total.
Specialized knowledge
Who it fits
Employees with both advanced knowledge of the company’s own products or processes and advanced expertise. One without the other is not enough. Officers generally expect 2 or more years with the company; the legal minimum is 1 year in the last 3.
Permit length
Up to 3 years at first, renewable to a 5-year total. A prevailing-wage floor applies.
New Canadian office
Who it fits
An executive, manager or specialized-knowledge employee sent to open a new branch, subsidiary or affiliate in Canada.
Permit length
1 year, normally without extension. A 6-month extension is possible only for delays beyond your control.
What does IRCC check in an ICT application?
Officers look at three things: your company abroad, your Canadian company, and you. If this is your company’s first expansion to Canada, the business case for the new office gets the closest look.
- Operating and financially sound. IRCC sets no minimum age, but in our experience 12 months of operations is the practical floor and 3+ years is much stronger.
- Able to fund the Canadian operation until it pays for itself.
- Will keep doing business abroad for the whole time you are in Canada.
- Legally related to the foreign company as a parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate.
- A real place of business — an office or warehouse, not just a mailing address.
- A credible plan to start operating, hire local staff and grow large enough to need an executive or manager.
- At least 1 year of continuous full-time work with the company in the last 3 years.
- A Canadian role at the executive, senior manager or specialized-knowledge level.
- A base salary at or above the prevailing wage for the job and location. CUSMA and some other treaty transfers are not always held to a fixed wage floor.
- The usual work permit requirements: valid passport, admissibility and, in some cases, a medical exam.
If the Canadian company is new, the officer will also ask:
- Is there a sound business plan showing the office can cover its costs and pay its staff?
- Will it create jobs for Canadians?
- Will it grow large enough to need an executive or manager?
- When will it actually start operating? IRCC expects a timeline.
A weak business case is the most common reason first-time expansions are refused.
What changed in October 2024
IRCC’s October 3, 2024 program update rewrote the ICT instructions for exemption codes C61, C62 and C63 (the codes that replaced the old C12 code on December 15, 2022), made the prevailing wage the benchmark, tightened the specialized-knowledge test, and made clear that both companies must be actively doing business. Sources: IRCC program delivery updates of October 3, 2024 and January 6, 2025 (2024 intra-company exemption codes). Read our full breakdown of the new ICT rules.
How much do you need to invest to expand to Canada?
Canada sets no minimum investment for ICT. Instead, the officer asks whether your company can realistically fund the Canadian operation and hire local staff. Based on the files we handle, these are the figures that make a first-time expansion credible:
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$250,000+ in annual gross sales
For the foreign company, shown in financial statements and tax filings.
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$100,000+ in liquid funds
Enough to cover the Canadian office’s first-year costs, including your salary.
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A reserve beyond year one
Proof of more funds or assets in case the Canadian company is not self-sufficient by the end of its first year.
Our benchmarks, not IRCC rules
Larger or more complex expansions need more, and your business plan — not a fixed number — decides what is enough. Weighing ICT against the C11 owner-operator permit? Read our C11 vs ICT comparison.
How do you apply for an ICT work permit?
A first-time expansion usually runs in four stages. If your company already operates in Canada, you can often go straight to the application.
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Step 01
Confirm eligibility and choose your category
Check the company relationship, your employment history and your role. Then choose C61, C62 or C63 and where to apply.
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Step 02
Set up the Canadian company
Incorporate or register a parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate, secure a real business address and open a bank account.
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Step 03
Build the business case and evidence
Prepare a business plan with a hiring plan and 2–3 years of cash-flow projections, plus ownership records, financial statements, payroll and proof of your role.
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Step 04
Apply and respond to the officer
Apply online from abroad or, if you are from a visa-exempt country and eligible, at a port of entry. Answer any officer request quickly and completely.
Where and how you apply depends on your citizenship. Citizens of visa-exempt countries may be able to apply at the border; others apply online and may need a visitor visa and biometrics. Citizens of countries with a trade agreement with Canada may also qualify for treaty ICT rules, explained below.
How long does an ICT work permit last?
Permit length depends on your category. The maximums are cumulative across all of your ICT permits, including treaty-based ones.
| C61 · New office | C62 · Executives & managers | C63 · Specialized knowledge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it fits | Staff opening a new Canadian branch, subsidiary or affiliate | Executives and senior managers | Employees with advanced proprietary knowledge and expertise |
| First permit | Up to 1 year | Up to 3 years | Up to 3 years |
| Renewals | Generally none; 6 months only for delays beyond your control | 2 years at a time | 2 years at a time |
| Maximum total stay | 1 year under C61; once the office is operating, you may qualify under C62 or C63 | 7 years | 5 years |
| Wage test | Prevailing wage | Prevailing wage | Prevailing wage floor, strictly applied |
Permit length is always at the officer’s discretion. Nationals of some treaty countries may receive longer initial permits.
How long does ICT processing take?
Processing times depend on your citizenship, where you apply and how busy the visa office is, and IRCC updates them often. Check the current estimate for your country with the IRCC processing times tool rather than relying on fixed figures.
If you apply online from outside Canada for an ICT role in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation, your work permit application may qualify for 2-week priority processing under the Global Skills Strategy, as long as the application is complete and you give your biometrics within 2 weeks of applying.
In our practice, applications from visa-exempt applicants and those processed at the border often move faster than those routed through some overseas offices. We assess the likely route and timeline as part of your strategy. For a country-by-country comparison, see our guide to ICT processing times from the US, UK and India.
Can you use a free trade agreement for your ICT?
Citizens of countries with a free trade agreement with Canada may apply under treaty ICT rules (IRPR R204(a)). These can come with different requirements — for example, CUSMA transfers are not always held to a fixed wage floor — and, for some nationalities, faster processing at the border.
CUSMA
Who it covers
Citizens of the United States and Mexico.
Worth knowing
US citizens can often apply at the border. Mexican citizens usually apply online.
CETA
Who it covers
Citizens of EU member states transferred between related EU and Canadian companies.
Worth knowing
Covers key personnel such as executives, managers and specialists.
CPTPP
Who it covers
Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Worth knowing
Commitments differ by country, so check what your country agreed to.
Other agreements
Who it covers
Includes Chile, Colombia, Korea, Panama, Peru and the United Kingdom (Canada–UK Trade Continuity Agreement).
Worth knowing
Each agreement sets its own categories and conditions.
US or Mexican citizen? Our CUSMA work permit guide covers the treaty route in detail.
How does Canada’s ICT compare with the US L-1 and the UK?
Many companies weigh Canada against the US and the UK before choosing where to send a key person. Here is the one difference that usually matters most to HR leaders in each country.
- Canada (ICT): Your time in Canada can lead to permanent residence. At least 1 year of skilled, paid work in Canada in the 3 years before you apply can help you qualify through Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class.
- US (L-1): Spouses in L-2 status are authorized to work as part of their status. In Canada, a spouse’s open work permit depends on the transferee’s job level and how long the permit has left.
- UK (Senior or Specialist Worker): The visa does not lead to settlement (indefinite leave to remain), so it suits time-limited assignments. Transferees paid under £73,900 a year also need at least 12 months with the employer outside the UK.
What does an ICT permit mean for your family and business?
ICT is built for business, but the move affects your whole family. Here is what to expect under the current rules.
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Your spouse may be able to work
Since January 21, 2025, only select spouses qualify. Your spouse or common-law partner can usually get an open work permit if your Canadian job is in TEER 0 or 1 (or a listed TEER 2 or 3 occupation) and your permit is valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives their application. A 1-year C61 permit usually does not meet this test.
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Your children can go to school
Minor children can attend public school. Since January 21, 2025, dependent children no longer qualify for their own open work permits in most cases.
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Provincial health coverage
ICT workers are usually eligible for provincial health insurance. The rules, and any waiting period, depend on the province.
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No language test for the permit
You do not need an English or French test to get an ICT permit. Language scores matter later, when you apply for PR.
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Keep your business abroad running
The foreign company must stay active, and you can stay involved in it while you build the Canadian operation.
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A base for North American growth
A Canadian company gives you access to Canadian customers, banking and financing, close to the US market.
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Bring more key staff over time
Once the Canadian company is established, other qualifying employees can transfer through ICT as well.
Can an ICT work permit lead to permanent residence?
Yes. ICT does not give you PR by itself, but your Canadian work experience can help you qualify. Plan for PR from the start: it affects which category you apply under and how long your permit runs.
After 12 months of skilled, full-time work in Canada, you may qualify under the Canadian Experience Class. Since March 25, 2025, a job offer no longer adds CRS points, so your score depends on age, education, language and work experience.
See our guide to Express Entry for senior managers.
Many provinces have streams for skilled workers already employed in the province. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points in Express Entry, or leads to a separate PR application.
See our guide to provincial nominee programs.
PR rules are tighter in 2026 than they were a few years ago, and a 1-year C61 permit leaves little time to build the experience you need. We map your PR route at the start so your ICT strategy supports it.
Why are ICT applications refused, and how do you avoid it?
Most refusals come down to weak evidence or, for new offices, a weak business case. Two things make the biggest difference.
Include every document the officer needs to see — especially proof that the foreign company is actively doing business, and the ownership records that show how the two companies are related. These are the items applicants most often leave out.
Do not bury them under unrelated paperwork. Officers have limited time, and a disorganized file makes it easy to miss a key document. Send what is required, organize it clearly, and leave the rest out.
For a new office, the business plan is one of the most important documents in your file. Skipping it, or buying a generic plan online, is a common and costly mistake. The plan covers your market entry strategy, hiring and finances — exactly what the officer assesses.
A plan written without your lawyer can contradict your legal submissions and lead to a refusal. We develop business plans in-house or with a vetted partner, and check that every figure matches the legal strategy. Learn more about why C11 and ICT applications are refused.
Frequently asked questions about Intra-Company Transfers to Canada
Answers to the questions business owners ask us most about expanding to Canada through ICT.
Yes. Owners and major shareholders can qualify as executives if they direct the company and have worked for it full-time for at least one year in the last three years. The officer will look closely at whether the Canadian role is genuine and whether the foreign company will keep operating while you are in Canada.
It depends on the category. A C61 permit for a new Canadian office is issued for up to 1 year and is normally not extended; a 6-month extension is possible only for delays beyond your control. Once the Canadian office is operating, you may qualify for a new permit under C62 or C63.
C62 and C63 permits can be issued for up to 3 years and renewed 2 years at a time, up to 7 years in total for executives and managers and 5 years for specialized-knowledge workers. To renew, both companies must still be actively doing business and the relationship between them must still qualify.
There is no legal requirement to be profitable in year one. Building a profitable company takes time. But the Canadian company must be genuine and actively doing business — selling goods or services in Canada or abroad. In practice, officers also expect a physical business location and local hiring under way, especially at renewal.
Yes, your spouse and children can come with you. Spouses of executives and managers can usually get an open work permit if your permit has at least 16 months left when they apply, so a 1-year C61 permit often does not qualify. Minor children can attend public school. Since January 21, 2025, dependent children generally no longer receive their own open work permits.
No. An ICT permit is employer-specific: you can work only for the Canadian company named on your permit. To work for another employer, you would normally need a new work permit, often supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Usually, yes. Your permit lists the employer and may list a work location. If you will work at several locations or in more than one province, say so in your application so the permit is issued to match.
The Canadian and foreign companies must be legally related as parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate, based on ownership and control. Contracts, licensing, franchising and minority shareholdings do not qualify. Both companies must be doing business — regularly providing goods or services — for as long as you hold the permit.
ICT covers executives and senior managers (code C62), specialized-knowledge workers (C63) and staff opening a new Canadian office (C61). Specialized-knowledge applicants must show both advanced proprietary knowledge and advanced expertise. Read one of our specialized-knowledge success stories.
No. You can keep renewing your ICT permit, within the category limits, without applying for PR. If you want PR, you may qualify after about 12 months of skilled work in Canada, depending on the program. Because a C61 permit lasts only 1 year, plan your PR route before you apply.
Not on your ICT permit. It only allows you to work for the Canadian company named on it. Running a different business would usually need a different work permit or immigration pathway, with its own requirements. Speak to your lawyer before you make the change.
No. It is illegal under Canadian law to guarantee the outcome of an immigration application. What we promise is to pursue your interests with care and persistence. The most common reasons for ICT refusals are doubts about the Canadian business’s viability and about the foreign company’s ability to fund it.
In some cases, depending on the terms of your retainer agreement. The final decision always rests with the Government of Canada, so we cannot guarantee the result — but we are motivated to get the best outcome for you and your company.
Neither is better in every case. The US L-1 lets spouses work as part of their L-2 status. In Canada, a spouse’s open work permit depends on your job level and how long your permit has left, but skilled work you do on your ICT can count toward permanent residence through Express Entry. The right choice depends on your business plans, your family and how long you want the move to last.
Yes, if the foreign company is already an established, operating business and you meet the employment and role requirements. Since IRCC’s October 2024 update, officers look closely at whether both companies are genuinely doing business, so a very new company may struggle. See what changed under the new ICT rules and whether a C11 entrepreneur permit may fit better than ICT.
Related guides for expanding to Canada
- C11 vs ICT: which work permit fits your business?
- Staff transfers to Canada — for employers moving employees to a Canadian office
- CUSMA work permit for Canada
- C60 work permit for PNP entrepreneurs
- Business plans for Canadian immigration
- New ICT rules in Canada: what changed
- CETA work permits for EU companies
- Intra-company transfers: Canada vs US vs UK
