Intra-Company Transfer
You can temporarily work in Canada as a high skilled worker under the Intra-Company Transfer program. It is a part of Canadian Business Immigration.
If you are employed by or own an international company with a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in Canada, you can transfer on this Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt work permit.
The Intra-Company Transfer is designed to facilitate the hiring of temporary skilled workers who have specialized knowledge of the business. They would be relocated to the company’s location in Canada.
Who is Eligible for the Intra-Company Transfer as an Employee?
As an employee, you will be required to meet certain general requirements:
- Be employed at a company with a parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate in Canada
- Have a qualifying relationship with the company
- Work at an executive level, a senior management level, or a position that requires specialized knowledge
- Work at the company for 1 year in the last 3 years
Your position at the company must fall within 3 categories:
Executive Level: Executives are primarily responsible for directing a major component of the company and require general supervision from high-level management.
Senior Management Level: Senior managers are primarily in charge of the overall management of the company or managing other professional employees.
Specialized Knowledge Workers: Workers with specialized knowledge must demonstrate that they have advanced expertise in the products or services offered by the company.
What are the Requirements for the Intra-Company Transfer as a Business?
As an employer, if you want to transfer your qualified employees to Canada, then you will have to meet certain requirements.
You must be actively engaged in business with your Canadian parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.
The Intra-Company Transferee work permit can be renewed. However, certain evidence must be provided for renewals:
- The foreign company must have a qualifying relationship with the Canadian company.
- The Canadian office must have engaged in continuous operations in the last year
- The Canadian office is staffed
What is the NAFTA Intra-Company Transfer?
NAFTA Intra-Company Transfer is a similar Intra-Company Transfer work permit available under the Canada-United-States-Mexico Agreement.
It is available to American and Mexican enterprises with a qualifying relationship with a parent company, branch, subsidiary or affiliate in Canada. The general requirements for this program are similar to the Intra-Company Transfer work permit.
Employees eligible for this program will be exempt from the LMIA requirement.
Intra-Company Transferees Processing Time
The processing times for an Intra-Company Transferee work permit depend on the applicant’s country of residence. Applicants who are also eligible under the Global Skills Strategy qualify for expedited 2-week processing.
Intra-Company Transferees Refusal
- No qualifying relationship between the Canadian and foreign entities
- No qualifying relationship between the employer and foreign worker
- Job position is ineligible
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Intra-Company Transfer/Transferee
Can Intra-Company Transferees transition to permanent residency?
The Intra-Company Transferees can qualify for permanent residency through the Express Entry system or 1 of the Provincial Nominee Programs.
Am I allowed to work for another employer with an Intra-Company Transferees?
No, you can not work for any other employer while holding an Intra-Company Transferees work permit since it is a closed work permit. An open work permit does not restrict you, since you can work for any employer and in any province or territory across Canada.
Do I need to give a language proficiency test for this Intra-Company Transferees work permit?
As a temporary skilled worker, you will be required to take a language proficiency test for English or French.
Can I add accompanying family members on the Intra-Company Transferee?
Yes, you are allowed to bring your spouse or common-law partner and any dependents on this work permit.
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