Key personnel, including managers, executives, and specialized knowledge workers, who have been employed by a foreign company for at least one year can be eligible for the program.

Some requirements include a qualifying relationship between the foreign and Canadian companies, proof of employment, and demonstrating that the transferee’s position is essential to the Canadian entity.

The duration of the ICT Work Permit depends on the nature of the position and the specific circumstances, but it is typically granted for up to three years initially.

Yes, immediate family members, such as spouses and dependent children, can accompany the ICT Work Permit holder to Canada

Generally, the ICT program is open to companies of various sizes, including multinational corporations, provided they meet the program requirements.

Yes, a newly established Canadian entity may be eligible for the ICT program if it meets the necessary criteria and has a qualifying relationship with the foreign company.

Yes, ICT Work Permit holders can apply for an extension of their Work Permit if they continue to meet the program requirements.

There is no specific limit on the number of ICT Work Permits that can be issued, but each application is assessed on its individual merits.

In certain cases, ICT Work Permit holders may be able to bring their domestic employees to Canada if they can demonstrate the need for their services.

Yes, ICT Work Permit holders may be eligible to study in Canada while they are working, but they must comply with the study permit requirements.

There is no legal requirement for both companies to engage in the same type of business. However, it is advisable for the Canadian company to operate in a similar business or industry to avoid questions about the genuineness of the business or the applicant’s suitability for a vastly different business in Canada.

Fulfilling the targets specified in the business plan is not obligatory or legally binding. Although it is advisable to work towards those goals, the inability to meet them will not have negative consequences. The purpose of the business plan is to showcase thorough feasibility research and a solid comprehension of the market, particularly for individuals who are new to or applying for the ICT program for the first time.

No, your Work Permit restricts you to work exclusively for your company in Canada, meaning you cannot be employed by any other employer within Canada. However, depending on the nature of your business, your Canadian company can sell its goods and services to clients within Canada and internationally.

There is no legal obligation for your company to be profitable in the first year. Building a profitable company takes time and consistent dedication, regardless of the location. However, it is important for your company to be genuine and actively involved in business operations. This entails offering services or goods to customers in Canada or other countries. Additionally, your company should have a physical presence, such as an office or warehouse, and employ at least one Canadian employee who is either a Permanent Resident or a Canadian citizen.

There is no specific minimum stay duration for managerial and senior executive staff under the ICT program in Canada. These individuals are permitted to maintain their primary residence in their home countries while managing their business in Canada and traveling in and out of the country. However, other essential personnel are required to relocate to Canada for the duration of their employment.

Managerial and senior executive staff have the option to remain on the payroll of the home company and receive their wages from there. However, if they prefer to receive their salary in Canada, it is advisable for the salary to align with the Canadian median wage standards corresponding to their position. While it is not a mandatory requirement under this program, we generally recommend international companies to provide comparable wages to intra-company transferees.

Typically, business owners are not obligated to provide evidence of their language proficiency. However, if they intend to transfer key personnel to Canada through this program, those employees may be asked to provide English or French language test results to demonstrate their suitability for the position in Canada.

Typically, the processing time for ICT work permits is around 1-2 months on average. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, it may now take approximately 3-4 months to receive a decision on an ICT work permit application. The processing time can vary depending on the visa office handling applications for your country. It is advisable to consult the specific Visa Office of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in your country for accurate information.

Is there a chance of it being refused? Under Canadian Law, it is prohibited to guarantee a positive outcome for any Visa or Immigration application. However, we can assure you that we will make every effort to achieve your desired outcome and advocate for your interests with unwavering dedication. It is important to note that a small percentage (5%-10%) of ICT applications may be refused for various reasons. The most common grounds for refusal include doubts regarding the viability of your business in Canada and concerns about the financial capacity of the foreign company to sustain operations in Canada.

Based on official statistics provided by Immigration authorities, the approval rates for ICT Work Permits are as follows:

• Case Processing Center Vegreville, Canada: 90%;
• Inland Applications: 88%;
• Embassies & Consulates: 89%;
• Port of Entry (for visa-exempt countries): 100%.

Yes, under the ICT program, business owners and key employees have the opportunity to bring their families to Canada while they are employed there. Spouses of the permit holders are eligible to obtain an Open Work Permit, allowing them to work in Canada. Additionally, children can enroll in high-quality public schools in Canada without any tuition fees. The applicant and their family members also have access to the same premium-free healthcare services available to Canadian residents and citizens.

No, there is no requirement to apply for Permanent Residency after completing 1 year of work in Canada as an ICT Work Permit holder. If you intend to prolong your employment in Canada, you have the option to renew your ICT Work Permit and remain in the country as a temporary foreign worker. However, if you aspire to attain Permanent Resident status in Canada, you have the opportunity to apply as early as 12 months after working in Canada, provided you fulfill all the other eligibility criteria of the appropriate Permanent Residency program.

There is a possibility for your Permanent Residency application to be rejected for various reasons, such as criminal records, medical inadmissibility, failure to meet language requirements, and more. However, if you adhere to the requirements of the ICT program and carefully plan your relocation to Canada, it is unlikely to encounter any issues with the approval of your Permanent Residency application by the IRCC, should you decide to apply for it.

A qualifying relationship refers to the required connection between the Canadian company and the foreign enterprise where the foreign national is employed. This relationship can take the form of a subsidiary, branch, affiliate, or when one company acts as the sole parent company of another. It is crucial to highlight that both companies must engage in business activities with each other and remain active during the period when the foreign national is in Canada.

There are various approaches that ICT Work Permit holders can employ to convert their temporary status to Permanent Residency in Canada. One common strategy is to apply for Permanent Residence through the Express Entry program, where Work Permit holders can earn an additional 50 or 200 points based on the type and duration of their work in Canada after 12 months of employment with the same employer. Additionally, there may be other strategies available for transitioning to Permanent Residency, depending on factors such as your background, job responsibilities, and location of employment within Canada.

The Canada ICT Visa is tied to the employer mentioned on the Work Permit and the specified location provided during the application to Canadian immigration authorities. As such, foreign workers must work for the designated employer at the proposed location stated in their application. This allows companies to choose the desired base of operations within Canada and clearly communicate the intended work location during the application process. If there are multiple locations or provinces where the foreign worker is expected to work, this information should be clearly indicated to the IRCC during the Work Permit application stage to ensure that the permit is issued accordingly for the intended locations.

No, an ICT permit does not grant Open Work Permit status. Intra-company transferees in Canada are required to work exclusively for the employer specified in their Work Permit. They cannot engage in employment with other Canadian employers without obtaining a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) decision specifically allowing them to work for a different employer in Canada.