ICT Work Permit

ICT Work Permit Duration

The duration of the ICT visa in Canada for individuals in this category is determined by the initial work permit request and the discretion of the visa officer. Generally, first-time applicants are granted permits up to two years in length.

Who is Eligible for an ICT Work Permit in Canada?

Companies may apply for an Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) work permit if:

• Maintain a presence in Canada, which can include a parent, affiliate, or subsidiary branch.
• Engage in regular business activities both within and outside Canada, consistently providing goods and services.
• Provide realistic staffing plans for the new operation.
• Demonstrate financial strength to initiate business operations in Canada and compensate employees.
• Ensure capability to support executive or managerial functions if transferring executives or managers.
• For specialized knowledge workers, demonstrate ongoing business operations and ensure management responsibility for guiding the Canadian operation.
• Generally secure physical premises for the Canadian operation, particularly for specialized knowledge workers.
• In specific cases involving senior managers or executives, the company may utilize its legal counsel’s address until the executive secures a permanent building.

Employees may qualify for an ICT work permit if they:

• Currently, work for a multinational company and are seeking entry to Canada to work in a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of that company.
• Are transferring to a Canadian entity with a qualifying relationship with their current employer and will be employed at a legitimate and ongoing establishment in Canada.
• Have been continuously employed (either through payroll or a contract) by the company planning the transfer to Canada in a similar full-time position for at least one year within the three years immediately preceding the initial application. If the employment was part-time, other factors such as the duration of work experience, similarity of positions, and intent of the company may be considered.
• In cases of recent corporate acquisition or merger, the employee isn’t required to have worked for the company for a year if they’ve been employed by one of the affiliates for at least one year in the past three years. The successor entity must demonstrate the assumption of interests, obligations, assets, and liabilities of the original company while continuing the same type of business.
• Are coming to Canada for a temporary period only and comply with all immigration requirements for temporary entry.

Additionally, the occupation in Canada must fall under one of the following categories:

• Executives and Senior Managers: Those who primarily direct the management of the enterprise or a significant component thereof.
• Functional Managers: Employees managing a function essential to the company’s goals, even if they don’t directly manage other employees.
• Specialized Knowledge: Employees with advanced expertise and proprietary knowledge of the enterprise’s products, services, processes, or procedures.