Intra-Company Transferee Work Permits | Canada

An intra-company transferee work permit is an LMIA-exempt work permit under the International Mobility Program that allows a multinational company to transfer eligible employees to a related Canadian business. These work permits are commonly used for executives, senior managers, and specialized knowledge workers being transferred to a Canadian parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate.

A qualifying employee must usually have worked continuously for the foreign company for at least one year within the three years before the application, in a similar full-time position. The foreign and Canadian businesses must have a qualifying corporate relationship, and the Canadian business must be able to support the proposed role. New Canadian operations face additional scrutiny regarding business viability, premises, staffing, and the ability to become actively engaged in business in Canada.

C61 applies where the company is establishing a new Canadian entity. C62 applies to executives and senior managers who will direct or manage the Canadian operation. C63 applies to specialized knowledge workers with advanced proprietary knowledge and an advanced level of expertise. Each category has different evidence requirements, including corporate relationship documents, organizational charts, role descriptions, business plans, wage evidence, and proof of active operations.

Legal fees with AVIO Immigration begin at CAD $3,500 for an intra-company transferee work permit application. Start-up intra-company transfers involving a new Canadian entity begin at CAD $4,000. Government fees are separate and may include the work permit processing fee, biometrics, and the employer compliance fee where applicable.

Initial intra-company transferee work permit validity depends on the category and the Canadian operation. Start-up intra-company transferee work permits are often issued for one year because the Canadian entity must demonstrate progress toward active operations. Established operations may receive longer validity, depending on the role, passport validity, requested duration, and evidence provided. Extensions require evidence that the Canadian and foreign businesses remain active and that the applicant continues to meet the intra-company transferee requirements.

An intra-company transferee work permit is a temporary work permit category and is not, by itself, a permanent residence pathway. However, intra-company transferee workers may later explore permanent residence through Express Entry, the Canadian Experience Class after qualifying Canadian work experience, provincial nominee programs, or employer-supported pathways. The permanent residence strategy should be assessed separately from the intra-company transferee application.

Yes, an intra-company transferee work permit may be extended if the applicant and employer continue to meet the program requirements. Extensions usually require updated evidence of the qualifying corporate relationship, active business operations in Canada and abroad, the employee’s continuing role, wages, work location, and business need. However, C61 start-up intra-company transferee work permits are normally issued for a maximum of one year and are not intended to be extended under C61. After the first year, the Canadian entity is expected to be actively engaged in business, and the applicant would usually transition to C62 as an executive or manager, or C63 as a specialized knowledge worker, if eligible, for any further intra-company transferee work in Canada.

An intra-company transferee refusal should be reviewed before reapplying. Depending on the reasons, options may include requesting officer’s notes, submitting a reconsideration request, filing a stronger new application, or seeking judicial review at the Federal Court. Refusals often involve concerns about the qualifying corporate relationship, active business operations, specialized knowledge, executive or managerial duties, wages, business viability, temporary intent, or the genuineness of the job offer.