Why Canada Intra-Company Transfer?

• Establish your current business operations in Canada
• Easy path for Canada PR
• Get a study permit for your children
• Get an open work permit for your spouse
• Great opportunity to create employment in Canada

Applying for Canada Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)

There are several business immigration pathways in Canada’s immigration framework. One is the Canadian Intra Company Transfer (ICT) program, which is appropriate for international companies wanting to expand their existing operations in this North American country. This article introduces you to the particulars of the ICT program, which include its application processes, advantages, requirements, and pathways to gain permanent residency.

Canada Intra-Company Transfer

ICT, a pathway for immigration falling under the International Mobility Program, allows capable overseas businesses to relocate to Canada for their operations and, thus, be eligible to secure a work permit. With the ICT pathway, you are eligible first for an ICT Work Permit and eventually for permanent residence. In the majority of cases, the spouse of the primary applicant will obtain an open work permit while the dependent children are issued a study permit.

ICT is only one among the many business immigration programs that Canada has on offer. You can access the free instant assessment we provide and learn about the options to migrate to Canada.

Our business immigration attorneys also provide advice when we conduct an hour-long strategy meeting.

ICT Program’s eligibility criteria

The intent of the ICT program was to let globally established companies know how to operate in Canada. This program benefits three types of individuals: business owners, entrepreneurs, and shareholders of commercial firms holding executive posts in their firms and wanting to expand in Canada too.

High-ranking managers and operational managers, who currently work in an overseas company and are looking to work in a similar capacity in Canada, and the main officials of a business house who possess niche knowledge in a profession.

Applicants like the aforementioned individuals must also meet several other requirements, which are described below, if they want to obtain a work permit with the ICT program.

Requirements for Intra-Company Transfer in Canada

Entrepreneurs owning a productive business in their native countries are allowed to apply for an ICT work permit (WP) to develop their Canadian operations. Other requirements that have to be met by entrepreneurs wanting to get a work permit through the ICT program include the following:

The establishment in their country of origin should have been operative for at least 12 months (though preferably for at least three years) before they step into Canada.

• The parent company must be financially secure and in a position to support operations externally in Canada.
• An individual applying for an ICT WP must have been engaged with the parent company in the past three years for at least 12 months before they submit an application for immigration.
• The parent company should be responsible for the Canadian branch as a superior, subsidiary, or associate, and their operations will be feasible and create jobs for permanent residents or citizens of Canada.
• Companies entering Canada for the first time must demonstrate a viable business opportunity to describe the reason for expansion besides meeting the basic eligibility criteria to apply for ICT.

Investment required to grow business in Canada initially

The Canadian government does not propose an investment of any minimum sum for firms to set up a base in Canada. It is, however, implied that the companies must be financially robust, have the required capital to expand their operations in Canada, and will hire local talent.

It is suggested that companies should show that aggregate sales are increasing by CAD 250,000 per year and can access liquidating funds worth CAD 100,000 to cover the first year’s operational costs. In addition to the first investment capital, candidates must prove that they can access more assets or funds to run the business in Canada in case it has not achieved self-sufficiency during the completion of its first year.

Gradual process for application of an ICT work permit

To be eligible to apply for any immigration program in Canada, applicants must prove that they can meet the eligibility criteria of the program. Applicants should also have a feasible strategy on how to show the potential they possess that will convince the immigration authorities of Canada.

Subsequently, applicants must be able to substantiate their potential in the immigration applications, extensively describe how they would fulfill the eligibility criteria, and contribute to Canada’s economy.

People submitting their first ICT application need to adhere to the steps as follows:

Step 1: Register a company in Canada as a parent, ancillary, or an associate.

Step 2: Create a business plan that shows a plan for executing the business activities they propose, complete market research in Canada, and explain how they plan to run it profitably there. Ensure to include your hiring strategy and cash flow projections by adhering to the industry standards for the coming two to three years.

Step 3: Gather all the essential documents (like articles of incorporation, proof of investment funds, bank statements, etc.) and prepare applications for a work permit; and

Step 4: Submit work permit applications and await their decisions.

Note: The process varies considerably based on the nationality of the applicant.

Applicants hailing from countries that are exempted from Canadian visas can apply for an ICT WP at the port of entry (POE).

Canada Intra-Company Transfer Visa’s (ICT) processing time

Typically, customary processing times apply to the ICT WP applications and can be confirmed on the website of IRCC related to your country.

Do remember that for executives and managers, ICT applications are processed by the CPC-Edmonton office, which is located in Canada. This office is said to be using a case processing technology, “Chinook,” allowing decisions to be taken swiftly. If an application is sent to the CPC-Edmonton office, they will arrive at a decision in not more than one or two months. If you are not aware of its intricacies, take the help of an immigration lawyer.

ICT work permits time periods

ICT work permits are usually issued for one to two years. If a start-up company applies for it, the WP will normally be valid for one year only. The WPs can be renewed for two to three years more for a total of five years for skilled knowledge workers, and executives and managers can get it for even up to seven years.

This program also allows individuals to obtain WPs through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption (C12).

How to get Canada PR from ICT?

Foreign nationals who have been full-time employees for one year in a Canada-based company could gain eligibility to apply for PRs through the Express Entry programs. Depending on their designations, skilled foreign workers can get 50 to 200 or more points for organized work (job offers) from their companies based in Canada.

This will also add to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores significantly, leading to being chosen under the Express Entry (EE) stream’s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) category and an invitation to apply (ITA) for PR that the immigration authorities will grant.

How does Y-axis aid you in applying for Canada’s ICT?

• Check eligibility freely through Canada Immigration Points Calculator
• Get expert counseling/guidance for Canada Immigration
• For expert coaching services, we haveIELTS proficiency Coaching
• We provide free career counseling by booking your slot
• Complete end-to end help to apply for Canada