Move executives, managers and specialists to Canada without an LMIA.
The Intra-Company Transfer allows multinationals to move qualifying employees to their Canadian offices through Canada’s International Mobility Program.
After 12 months working in Canada, your transferred employees may qualify for permanent residence through Express Entry via the Canadian Experience Class.
Intra-Company Transfer
What is the Intra-Company Transfer?
A category of work permit under Canada’s International Mobility Program that allows multinational corporations to transfer qualifying employees to their Canadian operations without a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
An LMIA-exempt category under R205(a)
The Intra-Company Transfer is authorized under section R205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which permits work authorization where the employment of a foreign national creates significant economic, social, or cultural benefits for Canada. Because the program is part of the International Mobility Program, applicants are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment, which removes the requirement to prove that no Canadian worker is available for the role and significantly shortens the application timeline.
Three administrative codes
In October 2025, IRCC consolidated the Intra-Company Transfer program under three administrative codes. C61 covers employees opening a new branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in Canada. C62 covers executives and senior managers transferring to an established Canadian operation. C63 covers workers with specialized knowledge. Each code carries its own eligibility criteria, maximum stay limits, and renewal conditions, which we examine in the next section.
For multinational corporations only
The program is restricted to genuine multinational corporations with a qualifying corporate relationship between the foreign and Canadian entities. Acceptable relationships include parent, subsidiary, branch, and affiliate structures. IRCC requires the foreign enterprise to demonstrate revenue-generating operations in at least two countries before establishing a Canadian presence. Companies that cannot document the multinational status or the qualifying relationship are typically refused regardless of the role being transferred.
Processing times and application channels
Standard processing ranges from 2 to 10 weeks, depending on the visa office, the completeness of the application, and the specific code. Visa-exempt nationals can apply at a Canadian port of entry. Applicants from countries that require a temporary resident visa must submit online from outside Canada. Workers already in Canada with valid temporary status can apply from inside the country. Employers must submit an Offer of Employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pay the $230 employer compliance fee before the worker submits the work permit application.
Do you qualify for an Intra-Company Transfer?
Select your category and review the criteria below. The result updates as you check items. This tool is informational and does not replace professional advice.
About this category
The Executive and Senior Manager category covers high-level employees transferring to an established Canadian operation. Executives primarily direct the management of the enterprise or a major component. Senior Managers supervise the organization, a department, or a function with wide discretionary authority over decision-making.
Permit duration
Typical roles
- Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer
- Country Manager, General Manager
- Vice President of Operations, Sales, or Finance
- Director of a major business unit or function
Eligibility criteria
Check each item that applies to your situation
0 of 8 criteria met
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About this category
The Specialized Knowledge category is reserved for employees who possess both advanced expertise and advanced proprietary knowledge of the company’s products, services, or processes. Both qualifications must be met. Being highly skilled is not enough: you must demonstrate uncommon, key knowledge essential to the Canadian operation.
Permit duration
Typical roles
- Lead engineer with proprietary platform expertise
- Senior process engineer (proprietary technology)
- Technical architect for proprietary systems
- Research scientist in company-specific R&D
Eligibility criteria
Check each item that applies to your situation
0 of 9 criteria met
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About this category
The New Operations category supports executives, managers, or specialized workers transferring to Canada to establish a new branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. The initial work permit is limited to one year, during which the new enterprise must become actively engaged in providing goods or services. After the first year, the applicant should transition to C62 or C63. An extension of up to 6 months under C61 may be granted only in extenuating circumstances beyond the applicant’s control.
Permit duration
Typical scenarios
- Country Manager opening the first Canadian office
- Founder establishing a Canadian subsidiary
- Senior executive launching a Canadian branch operation
Eligibility criteria
Check each item that applies to your situation
0 of 9 criteria met
Not yetDoes not yet meet the criteria for this category.
New office or established company in Canada?
Requirements differ depending on whether the foreign company is opening its first Canadian operation or transferring staff to an existing Canadian entity.
C61
Opening a new branch or affiliate
- Detailed business plan with financial projections, staffing, and operational timeline.
- Sufficient capital to commence operations and pay employees in year one.
- Physical commercial premises in Canada (lease, ownership, or commercial space).
- Genuine business presence in Canada. Virtual offices and mailing-only addresses are not eligible. Co-working spaces are permitted with stricter scrutiny.
- Active engagement in providing goods or services within the first year.
C62 / C63
Transferring to an established entity
- Active Canadian operations already conducting business when the application is filed.
- Qualifying corporate relationship documented (parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate).
- Regular operating premises in Canada with ongoing commercial activity.
- Multinational status: revenue-generating operations in at least two countries.
- Renewable permits in 2-year increments up to the category maximum.
Family in Canada
Bring your spouse and children with you
Intra-Company Transfer holders in TEER 0 or 1 occupations can bring their spouse on a Spousal Open Work Permit. Dependent children can attend Canadian public school at no cost.
Spousal Open Work Permit
- Available when the principal applicant works in TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or in select TEER 2 or 3 priority occupations.
- Open permit: your spouse can work for any employer in Canada.
- Principal worker’s permit must have at least 16 months remaining when the spouse applies.
- Common-law partners qualify under the same criteria.
- Rules effective January 21, 2025.
Children in K-12 public school
- Tuition-free public school for minor children of work permit holders in most provinces.
- Children may not need a separate study permit at the primary or secondary level if a parent holds a valid work permit.
- Eligibility ages vary by province (typically 5 to 18).
- Access to English or French as a Second Language programs in most school districts.
- Note: as of January 21, 2025, dependent children are no longer eligible for an Open Work Permit.
From work permit to permanent residence
The Intra-Company Transfer is a recognized pathway to Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs.
Arrive in Canada
Begin Canadian work experience under your ICT work permit (C61, C62, or C63). Most ICT roles fall under TEER 0 or 1 (high-skilled).
Become CEC eligible
After 12 months (1,560 hours) of full-time work in Canada, you may qualify for the Canadian Experience Class through Express Entry.
Apply for permanent residence
Submit your Express Entry profile or pursue a Provincial Nominee Program. Processing typically takes 6 months or less after the Invitation to Apply.
ermanent residence options for ICT holders
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 12 months of skilled Canadian work experience, CLB 7 for TEER 0/1.
- Senior Managers category (Express Entry): launched February 2026, well-suited to C62 transferees.
- Federal Skilled Worker: alternative if CEC criteria are not yet met.
- Provincial Nominee Programs: Ontario OINP, Alberta AAIP, and other provincial streams.
Why hire an RCIC for your Intra-Company Transfer?
Intra-Company Transfer applications under codes C61, C62, and C63 require precise documentation across multiple regulatory tests, including the qualifying corporate relationship between the foreign and Canadian entities and, for specialized knowledge transferees, evidence of both advanced expertise and proprietary knowledge.
Under Canadian law, paid representation before IRCC is restricted to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), lawyers, and Quebec notaries. RCICs are licensed and regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
Megrez Immigration Consultants is a CICC licensed firm and has operated in Vancouver since 1996.
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Ready to start your application?
Book a free consultation with Jose Godoy, RCIC. 30+ years of experience helping skilled workers immigrate to Canada.