INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREE
Canadian Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit
If a Korean company is opening a branch in Canada or already operates one, it can transfer an employee to that Canadian office on this work permit. No LMIA is required, and the transferee's children attend public school free of charge while the spouse receives an open work permit.
What is the Intra-Company Transferee work permit?
- No LMIA required, with the same benefits
- Built for owners running a business in Korea
- Business expansion, free schooling, spousal open work permit and a path to PR
The Intra-Company Transferee work permit is issued to an employee sent to a Canadian branch by a company headquartered abroad — whether that branch is newly established or already running. No LMIA is required, yet it carries the same benefits as an LMIA-backed permit: free public schooling for children and an open work permit for the spouse. It is used across IT, finance, energy, construction, manufacturing, education and healthcare.
CANADA
KOREA
OPTION
There are two ways to transfer.
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Option 1
Option 1. Transfer to an existing branch
Where the company already runs a branch or subsidiary in Canada, an employee is transferred into that entity. Because the Canadian company has a trading history, assessment is comparatively straightforward.
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Option 2
Option 2. Transfer to a new branch
The transfer takes place as the Canadian branch is being established. A one-year permit is issued first, and it can be extended once the business shows results.
ELIGIBILITY
Who can be transferred
The employee must have worked full time at the parent company for at least one year within the past three years.
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Executives
Senior officers who direct the management of the organization as a whole and hold authority over major decisions.
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Senior Managers
Managers who run a department or team and hold managerial authority, including over personnel.
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Specialized Knowledge
Employees with proprietary, specialized knowledge of the company's products, services or processes.
BENEFITS
Eight advantages of the Intra-Company Transferee permit
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01
LMIA exempt
The application proceeds without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
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02
Up to 7 years of free schooling
Accompanying children can attend Canadian public schools at no cost.
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03
Open work permit for your spouse
Your spouse can work for any employer, with no restrictions.
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04
Up to 200 Express Entry points
Managerial work experience gained in Canada can raise your Express Entry score substantially.
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05
Permanent residence in about 2 years
The work experience earned as a transferee leads into a permanent residence application.
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06
Free public health coverage
The whole family is covered by Canada's public health insurance.
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07
No minimum investment
Unlike business immigration streams, there is no legislated minimum investment.
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08
Your family comes with you
Your spouse and dependent children can settle in Canada with you.
REQUIREMENTS
Requirements for the sending company
A qualifying business
- The head office must hold at least 50% of the Canadian branch.
- The company needs a physical location (office, warehouse) and, where possible, staff.
- It must be incorporated and registered under the laws of its home country.
- The parent company must keep trading actively while the transferee is in Canada.
Trading history and revenue
- IRCC sets no minimum trading period, but two years or more of operating history is preferable.
- There is no stated minimum revenue either; total revenue of at least CAD $200,000 helps demonstrate the means to expand into Canada.
Business plan (the decisive item)
- A solid business plan is the core of the application. It must show real potential in the Canadian and North American market and a positive contribution within Canada.
- Industry practice is to include a hiring plan and cash-flow forecast covering at least two to three years.
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