Intra-Company Transfers

Foreign businesses with a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in Canada have the option to bring key employees from overseas to Canada through the Intra-Company Transfer program.

Work Permits acquired through this program are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Although LMIA-exempt, workers and employers who utilize the Intra-Company Transfer program must comply with all provisions governing temporary work in Canada, including obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa, if applicable.

Transferees must have at least one year of full-time work experience with the foreign enterprise and be coming to Canada to perform comparable work for the Canadian affiliate. Work in Canada must fall under one of three categories:

• Executive
  • An employee who primarily directs the management of the enterprise or a major component thereof.

• Senior Managerial
  • An employee who manages all or part of the enterprise and supervises/controls the work of other managers or professional employees.

• Specialized Knowledge
  • An employee who can demonstrate specialized knowledge of the enterprise’s product or service or an advanced level of expertise in the enterprise’s processes and procedures.

In order for the foreign worker to receive a Work Permit, the Canadian business will have to demonstrate a qualifying relationship with its foreign counterpart, as well as a qualifying relationship with its employee.

Foreign businesses wishing to establish a Canadian enterprise may use the Intra-Company Transfer program to bring critical workers to the country for start-up operations.