Intra-Company Transferees
Foreign businesses with a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in Canada have the option to bring key employees from overseas to Canada through the Intra-Company Transfer program.
Work Permits acquired through this program are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Although LMIA-exempt, workers and employers who utilize the Intra-Company Transfer program must comply with all provisions governing temporary work in Canada, including obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa, if applicable.
Transferees must have at least one year of full-time work experience with the foreign enterprise and be coming to Canada to perform comparable work for the Canadian affiliate. Work in Canada must fall under one of three categories:
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Executive
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An employee who primarily directs the management of the enterprise or a major component thereof.
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Senior Managerial
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An employee who manages all or part of the enterprise and supervises/controls the work of other managers or professional employees.
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Specialized Knowledge
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An employee who can demonstrate specialized knowledge of the enterprise's product or service or an advanced level of expertise in the enterprise's processes and procedures.
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In order for the foreign worker to receive a Work Permit, the Canadian business will have to demonstrate a qualifying relationship with its foreign counterpart, as well as a qualifying relationship with its employee.
Foreign businesses wishing to establish a Canadian enterprise may use the Intra-Company Transfer program to bring critical workers to the country for start-up operations. For more information on this option, please click here.