Intra-Company Transferee (ICT)

Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) Work Permit (C12)

Table of contents

Scope of Service

At Pax Law, we provide end-to-end legal services for Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) work permit applications under the International Mobility Program. Our services include:

  1. Initial Assessment & Strategy
    • Determine eligibility under the ICT program, including whether the transfer is based on the general ICT category or under a free trade agreement (CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP).
    • Assess the transferee’s role (Executive, Senior Manager, or Specialized Knowledge) and ensure compliance with wage and prevailing standards.
  2. Employer Compliance
    • Register and prepare the Employer Portal Offer of Employment.
    • Submit the LMIA-exempt job offer and pay the employer compliance fee.
  3. Corporate Setup (if needed)
    • Incorporate a new Canadian entity (numbered or named company).
    • Prepare corporate organization documents and a minute book.
    • Assist in securing a commercial lease and physical premises, as IRCC requires Canadian operations to be established beyond a residential address.
  4. Application Preparation
    • Prepare application forms, supporting letters, and business plan (where required).
    • Collect documentation from both the foreign entity and the Canadian entity to prove a qualifying corporate relationship.
  5. Filing & Representation
    • Submit the work permit application online or at a port of entry (where eligible).
    • Manage biometrics, medical examinations, and provide representation throughout the process.
  6. Post-Approval Support
    • Prepare the border package for entry.
    • Provide onboarding compliance advice and reminders for future extensions.
    • Optional applications for spouses and dependent children.

To qualify for an ICT work permit, the following must be demonstrated:

  • A qualifying corporate relationship (parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate) between the Canadian and foreign entities.
  • The foreign entity must be an active, revenue-generating multinational company with operations outside Canada.
  • The transferee must be entering Canada to perform executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge duties.
  • Wages offered must be reasonable and consistent with Canadian prevailing wage standards.
  • The transferee must maintain an ongoing relationship with the foreign company (evidence of continued employment).
  • The Canadian office must have physical commercial premises and be able to support the transferee’s role.

Required Documents

From the Canadian entity:

  • Articles/Certificate of Incorporation
  • Minute book and share structure documents
  • Commercial lease and proof of physical premises
  • CRA registrations (Business Number, GST/HST, payroll)
  • Organizational chart and staffing plan
  • Business plan with financial projections (for new offices)
  • Proof of active operations and revenue (if already established)

From the foreign entity:

  • Corporate registration documents
  • Financial statements
  • Organizational chart
  • Proof of qualifying relationship with Canadian entity
  • Evidence of active operations abroad

From the transferee:

  • Valid passport
  • Resume, degrees, and certifications
  • Employment confirmation letter showing full-time, continuous work with the foreign company (typically at least one year; two years recommended for specialized knowledge)
  • Detailed role description proving executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity
  • Pay records and tax slips
  • Reference letters

Government fees and biometrics:

  • Work permit fee: $155
  • Biometrics: $85 per person (maximum $170 per family)
  • Employer compliance fee: $230 (paid by employer)

Government & Third-Party Fees

  • Employer compliance fee: $230
  • Work permit processing fee: $155
  • Biometrics fee: $85 (per person; family maximum $170)
  • BC incorporation: $351.50 (numbered company; name reservation adds $31.50; priority service $100)

Pricing

We believe in transparent, competitive pricing that covers all stages of the ICT process.

A) ICT “New Office” Package (one principal transferee)

  • Legal fee (Pax Law): $9,800
  • Government fees: $470 (work permit, biometrics, employer compliance)
  • BC incorporation: $351.50
  • Taxes: GST 5% + PST 7% on legal fees
  • Estimated total: Approximately $11,800 (before translations or extra disbursements)

B) Existing Canadian Office / Subsequent ICT Application

  • Legal fee: $4,900
  • Government fees: $470
  • Taxes: GST + PST

Family Member Applications

Spouse (Open Work Permit – OWP)

  • Legal fee: $1,450
  • Government fees: $340 (work permit $155, OWP holder fee $100, biometrics $85)

Dependent Child (Study Permit or TRV)

  • Legal fee: $650 per child
  • Government fees:
    • Study permit: $150 + $85 biometrics (children under 14 exempt from biometrics)
    • Visitor record/TRV: $100

Family Bundle Example (Principal + Spouse + 2 Children)

  • Legal fees: $12,550
  • Government fees: $1,110
  • BC incorporation: $351.50
  • Estimated total: $14,000–$14,200 (before translations or extra disbursements)

Why Choose Pax Law

  • Comprehensive service: From incorporation to immigration filings, everything handled under one roof.
  • Market-competitive pricing: Our new office package is set below other Vancouver firms that charge $12,000+ for similar services, while subsequent transferees are priced in line with market standards.
  • Up-to-date guidance: We follow the most recent IRCC policy changes on ICT eligibility, wages, and physical premises requirements.

Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) — Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the ICT work permit and who is it for?
The ICT work permit allows executives, senior managers, and specialized knowledge employees of a multinational company to transfer to a Canadian parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate without an LMIA.
2) What are the basic eligibility requirements for ICT?
You must show a qualifying corporate relationship between foreign and Canadian entities, genuine ongoing operations abroad, a permissible role (executive, senior manager, or specialized knowledge), reasonable Canadian wages, and a Canadian worksite with commercial premises.
3) How long is an ICT work permit valid?
Initial approvals are commonly up to three years for executives/managers (often one year for new offices), with possible extensions. Specialized knowledge roles typically have shorter initial durations. Exact validity depends on facts, nationality/treaty, and officer discretion.
4) Can my spouse and children come with me?
Yes. Spouses are often eligible for an open work permit; dependent children may apply for study permits or visitor status. We prepare these applications alongside the principal ICT to streamline processing.
5) What documents are required from the companies?
From Canada: incorporation documents, minute book, lease and proof of physical premises, CRA registrations, org chart, staffing plan, and (for new offices) a business plan. From abroad: corporate registration, financials, org chart, proof of qualifying relationship, and evidence of active operations.
6) What documents are required from the employee (transferee)?
Passport, résumé, degrees/certifications, detailed job descriptions, employment confirmation showing continuous full-time work with the foreign entity, payslips/tax slips, and reference letters. Specialized knowledge roles should show advanced proprietary or company-specific expertise.
7) Do I need to incorporate a Canadian company?
If your organization does not yet have a Canadian entity, we can incorporate one (numbered or named), prepare the corporate minute book, and help secure commercial premises to meet ICT “new office” expectations.
8) What are the government fees for ICT?
Employer compliance fee: $230 (paid by the Canadian employer). Work permit fee: $155 per applicant. Biometrics: $85 per person (family max $170). Additional fees apply for spouse/children depending on application type.
9) How much does Pax Law charge for an ICT application?
New Office Package (principal): legal fee $9,800. Existing Office/Subsequent ICT: $4,900 per transferee. Spousal OWP add-on: $1,450 legal (+ government fees). Child study permit/TRV: $650 legal per child (+ government fees). Taxes (GST/PST) apply to legal fees. Incorporation (if needed): $351.50 plus optional extras.
10) How long does the process take?
Timing varies by visa office, applicant nationality, biometrics/medical steps, and whether this is a new office. We build a complete, decision-ready application and monitor status; ask us for current timelines at consultation.