Maple News reports that foreign professionals employed by multinational companies may be eligible to work in Canada through the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) program — a specialized stream designed to facilitate global mobility and business growth.
The ICT program enables foreign workers to secure a Canadian work permit if they are being temporarily transferred to a branch, parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate of their current employer located in Canada. This pathway offers a unique advantage: it is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement, which significantly reduces the administrative burden on employers.
Typically, Canadian employers bringing in foreign talent must obtain an LMIA to confirm that there’s a justified need to hire a foreign worker over a Canadian. However, under ICT, this step is bypassed, allowing quicker processing and facilitating the seamless relocation of talent.
To qualify for an ICT work permit, the applicant’s role in Canada must fall under one of three categories: executive, managerial, or involving specialized knowledge.
Executive roles involve overseeing the overall direction or major component of an organization. Managerial roles are divided into senior managers—those who supervise other managers or major business areas—and functional managers who manage essential company operations without necessarily overseeing staff.
Specialized knowledge positions require individuals to have advanced expertise and proprietary knowledge of the company’s systems, services, or procedures. This includes in-depth familiarity with unique tools, strategies, or workflows essential to the business.
Applicants must typically have been employed continuously by the company for at least one year in the past three years before applying. While the initial work permit is often valid for one year, extensions may be granted as long as eligibility continues to be maintained.
The ICT stream aligns with Canada’s Global Skills Strategy and is a vital mechanism for businesses looking to transfer key personnel quickly and efficiently. It supports Canada’s broader vision to attract high-level talent and remain competitive in global markets.
Overall, the ICT program serves not only individual professionals but also strengthens Canada’s innovation and business environment by enabling seamless talent mobility across borders.