Work Permits · International Mobility Program
Intra-Company Transfer Work Permits
Multinational companies can move executives, senior managers and specialized knowledge workers into a Canadian entity without an LMIA, under R205(a), codes C61, C62 and C63. IRCC has tightened this category: it is for highly specialized transfers, not for moving a general workforce.
C61–C63
The three ICT exemption codes
1 yr
Full-time employment abroad, within the last 3 years
7 yrs
Maximum total stay, executives & managers
MNC
A multinational corporation is now required
The framework
How intra-company transfers work
Under paragraph R205(a), an ICT work permit issues where the transfer creates significant economic benefit for Canada. Three codes: C61, coming to establish a new Canadian branch, subsidiary or affiliate; C62, executives and senior managers; C63, specialized knowledge workers. Trade agreements (CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP, GATS) carry parallel ICT provisions under R204(a).
IRCC’s current instructions are strict. The transferring employer must be a genuine multinational corporation, revenue-generating operations in at least one country beyond its home country. The transferee must have one year of continuous full-time employment with the foreign enterprise in the last three years, in the same capacity as the Canadian role, and their foreign position must remain available for their return.
Wages must meet the Canadian prevailing wage, and specialized knowledge means proprietary knowledge plus an advanced level of expertise, a high bar with documentary proof. Compare the CUSMA ICT categories, CETA transferee rules or C11 for founders without an MNC.
The three codes
C61, C62 and C63
The code determines the test, the documents and the clock. Choosing correctly at the outset avoids compliance problems later.
Startup route
C61, establish a new enterprise
For opening a genuine Canadian branch, subsidiary or affiliate of an existing MNC, with premises, a business plan and the ability to staff it.
- Maximum 1 year, no extension under C61
- MNC operating in 2+ countries already
- Timeline to “doing business” in Canada required
C62, executives & managers
Senior people who direct the enterprise or a major function of it: TEER 0 executives and TEER 1 managers.
- Initial permit up to 3 years
- 2-year renewals available
- Hard cap: 7 years total stay
C63, specialized knowledge
Proprietary knowledge of the company’s products or processes plus advanced expertise, proven, not asserted.
- Initial permit up to 3 years
- Hard cap: 5 years total stay
- Prevailing wage strictly enforced
Step by step
How an ICT application works
01
Qualify the structure
Parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate, the corporate relationship is proven with registration and ownership documents.
02
Qualify the person
One year full-time in the last three, in the same capacity, with a position held open abroad.
03
Employer files the offer
Employer Portal offer describing the unique skills, the corporate relationship and the Canadian role.
04
Apply with the evidence
Corporate documents, letters, job descriptions, knowledge evidence and wage support, assembled to the officer’s checklist.
05
Renew inside the caps
Renewals need continued eligibility. The 5- and 7-year caps apply across R204 and R205 ICT permits combined.
The officer’s test
What an ICT file must show
ICT refusals cluster around the same gaps. A file that holds up shows:
- A genuine MNC with a qualifying corporate relationship, not a shell or name-only entity
- One year of continuous, full-time, at-level employment abroad in the last three years
- A true executive, managerial or specialized knowledge role on both ends of the transfer
- Prevailing-wage remuneration and significant benefit to Canada, documented
The 2024 tightening
Why older ICT advice is now wrong
IRCC’s updated instructions added the multinational-corporation requirement, spelled out the specialized knowledge test, and confirmed hard caps on total stay: 7 years for executives and managers, 5 for specialized knowledge workers, even when switching between treaty and general ICT permits.
Files built on the old, looser understanding, a small foreign company opening a Canadian office, or a “specialist” without documented proprietary knowledge, now fail. Founders without an MNC behind them should look at C11 instead.
Work with me
How I help
For applicants
Executives, managers & specialists
- Honest assessment against the current, tightened criteria
- Specialized knowledge evidence that meets the two-part test
- Same-capacity and continuity documentation done right
- PR sequencing before the 5- or 7-year cap arrives
For employers
Multinational groups
- Corporate structure and qualifying relationship evidence
- C61 new-office files: premises, plan, staffing timeline
- Employer Portal filings and ongoing compliance
- Treaty ICT vs general ICT route selection
Good to know
ICT questions, answered
IRCC requires revenue-generating business operations in at least one country beyond the home country. A company whose only foreign presence is the planned Canadian office does not qualify for C62 or C63, although C61 can cover establishing a first Canadian enterprise where the MNC already operates in two or more countries.
Two elements together: proprietary knowledge of the company’s products, services or processes that is uncommon in the industry, and an advanced level of expertise. Both must be documented, training records, internal role evidence, and a clear explanation of why the Canadian position requires that knowledge.
Executives and managers: up to 7 years total. Specialized knowledge workers: up to 5 years. C61 new-office permits: 1 year with no extension under that code. The caps apply across treaty and general ICT permits combined.
Not necessarily, payment can stay on the foreign payroll and in foreign currency. But the offered wage must meet the Canadian prevailing wage for the occupation and location, excluding allowances like housing or travel.
Often, yes. Canadian managerial or skilled work experience can score well in Express Entry. But ICT permits require temporary intent, and the total-stay caps make early PR planning important.
Official Sources & Notes
Official sources: IRCC program delivery instructions – Intra-company transferees (C61–C63) · IRPR s. 205 (Justice Laws) · IRCC – International free trade agreements · Job Bank – Compare wages
This information is current as of July 2026 and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice. Immigration programs, fees and requirements change frequently, and eligibility always depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, please book a consultation.
Move key people, without moving the risk
ICT files are corporate files: structure, employment history and knowledge evidence. Book a consultation and we’ll test the transfer against the current rules before anything is filed.