Intra- company transfer (ICT)- International Mobility Program

This category of work permit falls under exception code C12 and is for those international companies that wish to temporarily bring qualified employees to Canada for the purpose of improving management effectiveness, expanding Canadian exports, and enhancing competitiveness in overseas markets.

Intra-company transferees may apply for work permits under the general provision if they

• are currently employed by a multi-national company and seeking entry to work in a parent, a subsidiary, a branch, or an affiliate of that enterprise;
• are transferring to an enterprise that has a qualifying relationship with the enterprise in which they are currently employed, and will be undertaking employment at a legitimate and continuing establishment of that company (where 18–24 months can be used as a reasonable minimum guideline);
• are being transferred to a position in an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity;
• have been employed continuously (via payroll or by contract directly with the company), by the company that plans to transfer them outside Canada in a similar full-time position for at least one year in the three-year period immediately preceding the date of initial application.

Following are some of the requirement to be met by the Canadian company:

it must secure physical premises to house the Canadian operation, particularly in the case of specialized knowledge.

• The company must furnish realistic plans to staff the new operation.
• The company must have the financial ability to commence business in Canada and compensate employees.
• When transferring executives or managers, the company must demonstrate that it will be large enough to support executive or management function.
• When transferring a specialized knowledge worker, the company must demonstrate that it is expected to be doing business;
• ensure that work is guided and directed by management at the Canadian operation.