Intra-Company Transfer to Canada: Requirements and Process
An intra-company transfer lets an established foreign company move an employee to a Canadian parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate. It is LMIA-exempt, which saves time and cost compared with a standard employer-specific permit.
Typical requirements
- A qualifying relationship between the foreign and Canadian entities, such as parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate.
- The employee's experience. They generally must have worked full-time for the foreign company, continuously for at least one year within the last three, in a similar role.
- The role. It must be executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge.
- A genuine role in Canada in a similar position, for a temporary period.
New Canadian offices
Companies opening a new Canadian entity face extra scrutiny. Officers look for proof of premises, financing, a realistic plan, and a real need for the transferee.
Why applications are refused
Officers refuse cases where the transferee has no real connection to the Canadian operations, the company relationship is unclear, or the job duties do not match the category. Documents should be consistent across the company, the employee, and the job.
Get help from a licensed consultant
I can review the company structure and the employee's role and help prepare a complete application. No one can guarantee an approval.
Frequently asked questions
Does an intra-company transfer need an LMIA? No. It is LMIA-exempt.
Can it lead to permanent residence? It provides Canadian work experience that may support later applications, but it does not guarantee permanent residence.
Can the employee's spouse work? Possibly, depending on the job's skill level. See our spousal open work permit guide.
Sources: IRCC, Intra-company transfers; law-firm summaries.
This page is general information, not legal advice on your situation.