ICT is an immigration pathway under the International Mobility Program that allows qualified foreign business owners to relocate to Canada and obtain a work permit. You will be able to obtain an ICT Work Permit and, eventually, permanent residence through the ICT pathway (PR). In most cases, the principal applicant’s spouse and children will be granted open work and study permits.
ICT Canada is not your only option for business immigration. Learn about your immigration options by taking our free instant assessment. During our 60-minute strategy meeting, you can also get valuable advice from our business immigration lawyers.
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Who Is Eligible to Apply for the ICT Program?
The intra-company transfer programme is intended to entice established businesses from around the world to expand their operations to Canada. There are three types of people who could benefit from this programme:
- Business owners, entrepreneurs, and shareholders of successful companies who are currently in executive positions and plan to do similar work in Canada.
- Senior and functional managers who are currently employed in a foreign company and plan to take a similar position in Canada.
- Employees with advanced specialised knowledge that is unique or uncommon in a business.
Individuals who hold one of the above positions must also meet several additional requirements, which are outlined below, in order to obtain a work permit under the ICT programme.
Requirements for Intra-Company Transfers in Canada
Entrepreneurs with profitable companies in their own nations can apply for the ICT WP to grow to Canada. In order to qualify for a work permit under the ICT programme, entrepreneurs must also fulfil a number of additional criteria, such as the following:
- Before expanding to Canada, the home company must have been in existence for at least 12 months (but ideally for at least 3 years);
- The domestic business must have a healthy financial position and be able to support overseas activities in Canada;
- The candidate for an ICT WP must have worked for or been actively involved with the home company for at least a year in the three years preceding the immigration application;
- The home company must be a parent, subsidiary, or associate of the Canadian business; and
- Canadian operations will be a viable enterprise and result in job creation for Canadians.
- Exists a solid business plan that proves Canadian operations will be a successful company that can make enough money to pay its bills and its employees?
- Will Canadians be able to find jobs as a result of this expansion?
- Will the business grow to the point where it needs an executive or manager in Canada?
As a result, if it is the first ICT application in Canada, businesses must demonstrate that expanding to Canada makes financial sense for them and that their newly formed activities there have a good chance of being successful and growing to the point where they can afford to engage local staff. Therefore, in addition to satisfying the fundamental eligibility requirements for the ICT applications, it is crucial for businesses that are expanding to Canada for the first time to establish a strong business case and justify the expansion.
Amount Started Investing for Your Business’s Initial Expansion Into Canada
There is no minimum investment requirement for businesses moving to Canada, according to the Canadian government. However, in order to finance their new operations in Canada and hire local talent, the companies must be financially stable and have access to the necessary funding.
Therefore, based on our experience, businesses must be able to show stable gross sales of at least $250,000 annually and access to at least $100,000 in liquid funds to meet the first year’s operating expenses. In addition to the initial investment cash, applicants must show that they have access to additional finances or assets to sustain the firm in Canada if it does not become self-sufficient by the end of the first year.
How can I apply for a work permit for intra-company transfers?
To apply for any immigration programme in Canada, applicants must first confirm that they meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Applicants must also devise a solid strategy for presenting their case to Canadian immigration officials. Following that, applicants must gather substantial evidence to support their immigration application, as well as provide detailed explanations of how they meet the eligibility criteria and why their presence in Canada is required.
If this is your first ICT application, proceed as follows:
Step 1: Establish your company in Canada as a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of your primary business.
Step 2: Create a business plan that outlines your proposed business activity, market research, and how you intend to run a profitable operation in Canada. Include your hiring strategy and cash flow projections for at least the next 2-3 years, in accordance with industry standards.
Step 3: Gather all required documents (such as bank statements, articles of incorporation, proof of investment funds, and so on) and prepare your work permit application; and
Step 4: Submit your application for a work permit and wait for a decision.
It is important to note that the process varies greatly depending on the nationality of the applicant. Some countries benefit from having agreements with Canada that allow their citizens to travel more easily under the ICT.
If the applicant is a citizen of a visa-exempt country, they may be able to apply for an ICT WP at the port of entry (POE).
Visa Processing Time Dubai to Canada for Intra-Company Transfers
Standard processing times apply to ICT WP applications in general, and can be found on the IRCC’s website for your country.
The following are the average processing times for specific offices around the world, based on our experience:
Office in Abu Dhabi: 6+ months
