This section provides policy, procedures, and guidance intended for use by IRCC staff. It is shared on the department’s website as a courtesy to inform stakeholders.
October 3, 2024
The guidelines for work permits concerning intra-company transferees (ICTs) under paragraph R205(a) have been significantly revised to enhance clarity and ease of use for officers.
Key updates include:
- Consolidation of ICT guidelines: All instructions regarding ICTs under R205(a) have been combined into one page to minimize the need for officers to browse multiple pages for relevant information.
- Clarified criteria for ICTs: It is now clear that ICTs must be transferring from a foreign enterprise of a multinational corporation (MNC). Additional guidance is provided to help assess if a foreign enterprise qualifies as an MNC.
- Expanded guidance on ICT eligibility:
- Clarified requirements for the foreign national’s work experience and employment with the foreign enterprise.
- Specified employment location requirements for ICTs.
- Outlined conditions under which ICTs may switch to a different ICT category when applying for a new work permit.
- Set limits on the maximum duration of ICT work permits.
- Defined eligibility for ICTs entering Canada to establish a new enterprise (administrative code C61).
- Specialized knowledge guidance:
- Provided a clearer definition of “specialized knowledge.”
- Added instructions on how to assess an applicant’s specialized knowledge.
- Stressed that ICT applications for low-skilled roles should be thoroughly reviewed to confirm that the applicant possesses the required specialized knowledge.
Reminder: The ICT category under the International Mobility Program is not intended to facilitate the transfer of a company’s general workforce to Canadian affiliates.
To maintain program integrity, officers must ensure all relevant evidence supporting the final decision on an ICT work permit application is accessible within the Global Case Management System (GCMS). If not, a note should be added to the application listing the evidence considered.
Updated instructions:
- Intra-company Transferees (ICT) – [R205(a) – C61, C62, C63] – Canadian Interests – International Mobility Program
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Exemption Codes – International Mobility Program (IMP)
- Functional Guidance on Temporary Residents: Table of Contents
- Terms and Definitions Related to Temporary Residents
Deleted instructions:
- International Mobility Program: Canadian Interests – Significant Benefit – Intra-company Transferees – General Requirements [R205(a)] (Exemption Codes C61, C62, C63)
- International Mobility Program: Canadian Interests – Significant Benefit – ICTs – Qualifying Relationship Between the Canadian and Foreign Employer [R205(a)]
- International Mobility Program: Canadian Interests – Significant Benefit – ICTs – Qualifying Relationship Between Employer and Foreign Worker [R205(a)]
- International Mobility Program: Canadian Interests – Significant Benefit – ICTs – Qualifying Job Positions [R205(a)] (Exemption Code C62)
- Qualifying Job Positions for Functional Managers – ICTs [R205(a) – C62] – Canadian Interests – International Mobility Program
- Specialized Knowledge Workers – ICTs [R205(a) – C63] – Canadian Interests – International Mobility Program
