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LMIA-exempt work

Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit Canada

Eligible multinational companies may be able to transfer certain executives, senior managers or specialized-knowledge employees to a related Canadian business without an LMIA. The company relationship, employee history and Canadian role must be documented carefully.

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Overview

What is an intra-company transfer?

An intra-company transferee work permit is an employer-specific LMIA-exempt route used by qualifying international businesses transferring eligible employees to a related Canadian entity. Eligibility can arise under Canadian-interest rules or an applicable free trade agreement.

Eligibility

Who may qualify as an intra-company transferee?

ICT categories generally focus on executives, senior managers and employees with specialized knowledge. The foreign and Canadian businesses must have a qualifying relationship and the worker must meet the prior-employment and role requirements of the exemption used.

Key requirements

Company relationship and Canadian position

Business relationship

The application must document the qualifying relationship between the foreign employer and Canadian entity.

Prior employment

The worker must satisfy the prior-employment requirement for the applicable ICT route.

Canadian role

The position must genuinely fit the executive, managerial or specialized-knowledge category claimed.

Employer Portal

Most employer-specific LMIA-exempt cases require an Employer Portal offer and compliance fee.

Application process

How an ICT work permit application works

  1. Identify the correct ICT route.
  2. Document the corporate relationship.
  3. Review foreign employment and Canadian duties.
  4. Prepare Employer Portal submission where required.
  5. Submit the work permit application with corporate and employee evidence.
Documents

Documents commonly needed for an ICT application

  • corporate registration and ownership records;
  • organizational charts;
  • proof of the foreign/Canadian entity relationship;
  • letters confirming prior employment and responsibilities;
  • Canadian job description and reporting structure;
  • specialized-knowledge evidence where applicable; and
  • Employer Portal offer number where required.
Common issues

Common ICT application problems

  • corporate relationship not sufficiently documented;
  • foreign employment not meeting the rule;
  • Canadian duties not genuinely executive, managerial or specialized;
  • specialized knowledge described only in generic terms; and
  • Employer Portal information inconsistent with the application.
Professional support

How Argus can help with an intra-company transfer

Argus can review the corporate and employee facts, identify the immigration route, organize company and worker evidence, coordinate Employer Portal steps within scope and prepare or review the work permit application.

FAQs

Intra-company transfer FAQs

Does an ICT need an LMIA?

No, when a valid ICT exemption applies.

Which employees can qualify?

Common categories include executives, senior managers and specialized-knowledge workers.

Must the Canadian company be related to the foreign employer?

Yes.

Is specialized knowledge just long experience?

No. Advanced proprietary knowledge and advanced expertise must be demonstrated under the applicable rules.

Official information

Current government sources

Immigration rules can change. These pages were reviewed against current official sources on September 23, 2026:

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Discuss your immigration case with Argus

Every application depends on the individual facts and the rules in force when you apply. A consultation can help identify the requirements, documents and issues most relevant to your situation.