Temporary Residence
Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit
An LMIA-exempt work permit for key staff moving to a Canadian parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of their employer.
Overview
The intra-company transferee category lets an international company move key employees to a related business in Canada temporarily, without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It covers executives, senior managers and employees with specialized knowledge of the company's products, services, processes or systems.
The foreign and Canadian businesses must have a qualifying relationship — parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate — and must be actively doing business. The employee must have worked for the foreign company continuously and full-time for at least one year in the three years before the initial application. Companies opening a new office in Canada can also use this route, but they must show more, such as physical premises for the Canadian business and a realistic plan to staff and fund it.
Some trade agreements, such as the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), have their own transferee provisions. We confirm which route fits before the employer starts the process.
Who may consider this: Executives, senior managers and specialized knowledge employees of international companies with a related business in Canada.
Eligibility Considerations
- Employment with a company that has a parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate relationship with the Canadian business
- At least one year of continuous, full-time work for the foreign company in the three years before the initial application
- A transfer into an executive, senior management or specialized knowledge role in Canada
- A Canadian business that is actively operating, or a credible, funded plan to open a new office
- Pay that meets program expectations, including at least the prevailing wage for specialized knowledge roles
- No criminal or medical inadmissibility concerns
How It Works
Corporate Relationship Review
We confirm the ownership and control links between the foreign and Canadian businesses, and that both are actively operating.
Role & Employment History
We review the employee's work history, current role and Canadian position against the executive, managerial or specialized knowledge criteria.
New Office Evidence
If the Canadian office is new, we help assemble evidence of premises, a business plan, staffing plans and the parent company's funding.
Employer Portal Submission
The Canadian employer submits an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal, pays the employer compliance fee and gives the employee the offer of employment number.
Work Permit Application
We prepare the employee's work permit application, plus applications for family members where they qualify.
Processing & Decision
IRCC reviews the application; timelines vary by where and how you apply. We handle any requests for more information.
Renewals & Planning
We track the permit's expiry, plan renewals where allowed and discuss longer-term options, including permanent residence.
Documents You May Need
Document requirements vary by applicant and pathway — not every applicant needs every item below. We confirm your specific list during an assessment.
- Corporate records showing the relationship between the companies (for example, ownership charts or annual reports)
- Letter from the foreign employer confirming your position, duties, dates of employment and hours
- Details of the Canadian role, including title, duties, salary and length of the assignment
- Evidence of executive, managerial or specialized knowledge capacity, such as organization charts and training records
- For a new office: proof of premises, a business plan, staffing plans and financial statements
- Offer of employment number from the Employer Portal
- Valid passport and photos
Common Issues to Watch For
These are presented to help you prepare, not to cause concern — most are avoidable with careful preparation.
- Corporate evidence that doesn't clearly show a qualifying relationship between the companies
- Specialized knowledge claims that describe general skills rather than advanced, company-specific expertise
- Employment history that falls short of the continuous full-time requirement
- New office applications without premises or a realistic business and staffing plan
- Job details in the Employer Portal offer that don't match the work permit application
How We Help
- Assess whether the intra-company route, a trade agreement category or another work permit fits best
- Help the employer document the corporate relationship and the employee's role
- Build a credible file for new office set-ups, from premises to business plan
- Coordinate the Employer Portal offer and the work permit application so the details match
- Advise on family members' permits, renewals and permanent residence planning
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Canadian company need an LMIA?+
No. Intra-company transferees are LMIA-exempt, but the employer still submits an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pays the employer compliance fee before the employee applies.
What counts as specialized knowledge?+
Knowledge that few people in the company's workforce have — generally advanced, proprietary knowledge of the company's products, services or processes combined with an advanced level of expertise. These roles must also be paid at least the prevailing wage.
Can we use this category to open a new office in Canada?+
In some cases, yes. The company needs physical premises for the Canadian business, a realistic business and staffing plan, and the financial ability to support the new operation. The first permit is usually issued for a shorter period, and staying longer depends on showing the business is operating as planned.
Can my spouse work in Canada too?+
Possibly. Open work permit rules for spouses and partners of workers were narrowed in 2025 and now depend on factors such as the transferee's occupation and how long their permit remains valid. Some trade agreements have their own spousal provisions. We check current eligibility for each family member.
Can this permit lead to permanent residence?+
It's a temporary permit, but Canadian work experience gained on it may support a future permanent residence application, depending on your profile and the program.
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration policies, fees, processing times, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Please verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified immigration professional before making decisions.