ICT lets global companies move executives, managers, and specialized-knowledge staff to a related Canadian entity on an LMIA-exempt work permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
The Canadian employer files an Offer of Employment in the Employer Portal and pays the $230 employer compliance fee; the worker then applies online for an employer-specific (closed) work permit. Some high-skilled files may qualify for the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) two-week target; it’s a goal, not a guarantee.
ICT at a glance
- Eligibility: You’re employed by a foreign entity and transferring to a parent/branch/subsidiary/affiliate in Canada in an executive, managerial, or specialized-knowledge role.
- Key steps: Employer submits an Offer in the Employer Portal and pays $230 → Worker applies online (biometrics/medical if required).
- Typical timeline: Varies by office and volume; GSS two-week may apply to some complete, high-skilled LMIA-exempt cases.
- Core documents: Corporate relationship and active operations; a detailed support letter (duties/TEER/NOC/wage/location); proof of prior employment; passport; biometrics/medical receipts.
- Government fees: Employer $230; Worker $155 (work permit) + $85 biometrics (per person).
Who qualifies?
Corporate link
The foreign and Canadian entities must be related (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate). Bring proof: incorporation docs, share registers, org charts, tax filings, intercompany agreements, and evidence of real operations (leases, payroll, invoices).
Roles allowed
- Specialized knowledge – advanced proprietary know-how about your company’s products, processes, or services. Back this up with concrete evidence (architecture diagrams, patents, client letters, code repositories).
- Executive – sets goals, wide decision-making.
- Senior/functional manager – manages people or a key function.
Prior employment
Common rule is 1+ year full-time with the sending entity within the last 3 years in a similar role
Wages
Pay should be consistent with Canadian norms for the role and region
Common baseline rules
- Corporate link: Prove parent/branch/subsidiary/affiliate and real operations (incorporation docs, share registers, org chart, leases, payroll, invoices).
- Prior employment: 1+ year full-time in the last 3 years with the sending entity in a similar role.
- Wages: Should align with Canadian norms for the role and location.
Documents checklist (expand as needed)
- Corporate & operations: Org chart and qualifying relationship; incorporation/share registers/board resolutions; intercompany agreements; proof both entities are doing business (contracts, invoices, leases, payroll).
- Employee & job: Detailed support letter (duties, TEER/NOC, reporting lines, wage, location, why on-site in Canada); employment letters; CV; degrees/certifications; project evidence (for specialized knowledge); wage benchmarks.
- Identity & admissibility: Passport; biometrics and medical (if required); family civil documents (if dependants).
- Employer compliance: Employer Portal offer number + proof of $230 fee (keep for audits).
How the ICT process works
- Employer Portal & fee
The Canadian entity submits the Offer and pays $230 in the Employer Portal → an Offer of Employment number is generated. - The worker applies online
File a complete application with the support letter and corporate proof; provide biometrics/medical if asked. - Decision → letter of introduction → entry
If approved, you will receive a letter of introduction. An employer-specific work permit is issued at the border or in Canada, as per current rules.
POE/flagpoling note: Since December 23, 2024, flagpoling for work/study permits at the border ended (with narrow exceptions). Most people should apply online.
How long does ICT take?
- GSS: Some outside-Canada, LMIA-exempt, high-skilled files can meet a 2-week target if complete.
- Otherwise: Timing varies by visa office and volume; check IRCC’s current estimates.
Planning tips:
- Book biometrics early.
- Keep your passport valid well beyond your intended stay.
How long can you stay? Can you extend?
After reaching the cap, plan 1 year outside Canada before re-qualifying under the same stream.
Changing employer/location: ICT permits are employer- and location-specific. Changes usually need a new Employer Portal offer and a new permit.
Special case: “New office” transfers
Expect closer scrutiny. Bring:
- Business plan with milestones (premises, first hires, revenue targets)
- Funding proof and a commercial lease (not just a virtual office)
- Role clarity: Why the transferee must be in Canada and what they will deliver
- At extension: Show active operations (payroll, contracts, local structure)
Family members (spouse & children)
- Spouse: Rules changed on Jan 21, 2025. Today, spousal open work-permit eligibility generally ties to the principal worker’s high-skilled role and other criteria. Check the latest IRCC page before filing.
- Children: Can usually accompany as visitors or students.
- Québec: If your job is LMIA-exempt (IMP), you’re often exempt from the CAQ. LMIA-based roles typically need a CAQ.
Fees you should budget for
- Employer: $230 Employer Compliance Fee (Employer Portal).
- Worker: $155 work-permit fee + $85 biometrics (per person).
- Other: Medical exam (if needed), eTA/visa (with initial approvals), certified translations.
ّFinal Note: Compliance & common pitfalls
- Weak corporate link: Missing or unclear ownership/affiliate proof; no updated org chart.
- “Specialized knowledge” too generic: It must be proprietary + advanced, with verifiable projects and outcomes; pay should reflect the skill level.
- Below-market wages: Benchmark by city and occupation.
- Virtual office only (new office): Risky, secure commercial premises.
- Incomplete Employer Portal offer: Re-check duties, TEER/NOC, wage, location, hours, benefits.
- Post-arrival drift: IRCC can inspect. Keep duties, pay, and location aligned with the offer.
Workload reality: IRCC manages large inventories and targets 80% processed within service standards. Expect variability and build buffer time.
FAQs
An LMIA-exempt work permit under the IMP for executives, managers, or specialized-knowledge staff moving to a related Canadian entity for a temporary assignment.
No. The Canadian employer uses the Employer Portal and pays the $230 fee before you apply.
Typically 1+ year full-time in the last 3 years in a similar role.
Possibly, rules changed Jan 21, 2025; review the current IRCC criteria before applying.
Some high-skilled LMIA-exempt cases may meet the GSS two-week target when complete, but many files take longer due to volume.
Often-cited caps: 7 years (executives/managers) and 5 years (specialized knowledge), then 1 year outside Canada before re-qualifying.
Usually no. Since late 2024, POE eligibility is narrow and flagpoling ended for most work/study permits.
Not directly, but Canadian work experience and a valid job can support Express Entry or PNP strategies. Plan PR early.
Small print: This is general information, not legal advice. Policies change, always check official sources or consult a licensed professional.
