Apply for Canada Intra Company Transfer (ICT) – visa ⭐

Why Choose Canada ICT?

Expand your business, secure PR, and facilitate study and work permits for your family. Discover the Intra Company Transfer (ICT) program—a pathway for international businesses to flourish in Canada. Gain insights into ICT’s requirements, benefits, application processes, and routes to permanent residency.

Canada Intra Company Transfer

Embark on an immigration journey through the International Mobility Program, allowing qualified foreign business owners to relocate and obtain a work permit in Canada. The ICT pathway opens doors to an ICT Work Permit and eventual permanent residence (PR). Spouses often receive open work permits, while children are eligible for study permits.

Explore ICT Canada as one of many business immigration programs. Access a free instant assessment with Reliance Immigration Services to discover migration options. Consult with our business immigration lawyers in a comprehensive hour-long strategy meeting.

Eligibility for the ICT Program

Designed to attract established global firms, the intra-company transfer program caters to business owners, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders seeking success in Canada. Individuals holding executive positions, senior managers, functional managers, and key business functionaries with advanced niche knowledge are eligible.

Canada ICT Requirements for Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs operating successful establishments in their home countries can apply for an ICT work permit (WP) to expand their businesses in Canada. Various requirements must be met to secure a work permit under the ICT program, including the following:

1. The home country company must be operational for a minimum of 12 months (preferably three years) before entering Canada.
2. The original company must be financially stable and capable of supporting external operations in Canada.
3. Individuals seeking an ICT WP should have worked in the original company for at least 12 months in the last three years before applying for immigration.
4. The original company should have a relationship with the company in Canada as a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate, with operations leading to job creation for Canadians.

For foreign firms venturing into Canada for the first time, immigration officers will also verify:

• The existence of a viable business plan demonstrates that operations in Canada are a feasible venture capable of generating sufficient revenue to cover costs and employee salaries.
• The potential to create jobs for Canadian citizens.
• The scale of operations in Canada determines whether it is large enough to hire an executive or manager.

First-time ICT applicants in Canada must showcase a solid business case, justifying expansion, and fulfill basic eligibility conditions.

Investment Amount Required for Initial Business Growth in Canada

While the Canadian government has not set a minimum investment amount, companies must be financially robust with sufficient capital to strengthen new operations in Canada and hire local talent. Based on our experience, companies should demonstrate solid gross sales exceeding $250,000 annually and have access to liquid funds of at least $100,000 to cover operational costs in the first year. Additionally, applicants need to prove access to additional funds or assets to sustain the Canadian business if it doesn’t become self-sufficient after the first year.

Applying for an ICT Work Permit: A Comprehensive Guide

To initiate any Canadian immigration program application, applicants must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and strategically present their potential to Canadian immigration authorities. Gathering substantial evidence and providing detailed descriptions of how they meet eligibility criteria and the reasons for their presence in Canada is essential.

For first-time ICT applications, the step-by-step process is as follows:

Step 1: Register your company in Canada as a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate.

Step 2: Develop a business plan outlining proposed activities, market research, and profitable operation strategies in Canada. Include a recruitment plan and cash flow projections for the next two to three years, aligning with industry standards.

Step 3: Collect all essential documents, such as articles of incorporation, bank statements, proof of investment funds, etc., and prepare the work permit application.

Step 4: Submit the work permit application and await the decision.

It’s crucial to note that the process varies significantly based on the applicant’s nationality. Businesses from certain countries benefit from agreements in Canada, providing their citizens with a seamless immigration pathway under the ICT. For applicants from visa-exempt countries, applying at the port of entry (POE) for an ICT WP is possible.

Processing Time and Duration of Canada Intra-Company Transfer Visa

Processing Time:

Typically, standard processing times apply to ICT Work Permit (WP) applications, and these details can be verified on the IRCC’s website specific to your country.

From our experience, average processing times for particular offices worldwide are as follows:

Note: ICT applications for executives and managers are primarily processed by the CPC-Edmonton office in Canada. This office utilizes the case processing technology “Chinook,” resulting in expedited decisions. If you submit your application to the CPC-Edmonton office, a decision is likely within one or two months. However, it’s worth noting that refusal rates from the CPC-Edmonton office tend to be higher than in other offices. Therefore, consulting with an immigration lawyer to plan where to send your application could be beneficial.

Duration of ICT Work Permits:

ICT work permits are typically issued for one to two years. If utilized by a startup firm, the WP’s validity is limited to one year. Some nationals from visa-exempt countries may benefit from a three-year WP. Renewal options are available for an additional two to three years, allowing a maximum of up to five years for skilled knowledge workers and seven years for executives and managers.

However, immigration officers may grant one-year work permits to individuals employed by newly established companies in Canada. US nationals and citizens from visa-exempt countries (such as the UK, EU, Australia, Japan, etc.) can leverage Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) between their countries and Canada, securing a three-year ICT work permit.

Under the program, individuals can obtain a WP through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption (C12).

Transitioning from Canada ICT to Permanent Residency (PR)

Upon completing one year of full-time employment with a Canadian company, foreign nationals may become eligible to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) through the Express Entry program. Depending on their job roles, foreign nationals may qualify for an additional 50 or 200 points for organized employment (job offers) from their businesses based in Canada.

This often significantly enhances their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, increasing the likelihood of selection under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) category within the Express Entry (EE) stream and receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR from Canadian immigration authorities.

Why Choose Reliance as Your Premier Immigration Consultancy in Dubai?

Reliance Immigration Services stands out as the leading consultancy in Dubai, comprising a team of dedicated and proficient professionals equipped with contemporary skills in the immigration industry. Our commitment at Reliance is to provide you and your loved ones with the highest likelihood of success in your visa application journey, turning your migration aspirations into reality.

Allow us to handle the intricate aspects of case filing and documentation, while you relax. With our proficient lawyers and interactive case management team, we ensure a seamless process for you. Our primary objective is to assist our clients in achieving their immigration-related goals.

Our Comprehensive Immigration Services Include:

1. Free Consultation and Counseling
2. Eligibility Assessment
3. Filing and Documentation for the Application Process
4. Visa Filing upon Approval

Choose Reliance for a trusted partner in your immigration journey, where your success is our priority.