Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced significant updates to the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Program under the International Mobility Program (IMP), reshaping how multinational businesses can bring specialized talent to their Canadian branches. These changes, effective October 1, 2024, aim to refine eligibility and reinforce the program’s purpose, facilitating the temporary entry of high-value global professionals who drive business innovation and economic growth.

What’s New in the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Program Guidelines

The revised ICT guidelines under paragraph 205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations focus on clarity and compliance. The update outlines that ICT permits are intended solely for executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers whose transfer serves a specific business purpose in Canada. The program is not meant for general workforce relocation but rather for temporary assignments critical to the company’s Canadian operations.

IRCC’s New Instructions Highlight

• Stricter eligibility criteria for specialized workers to ensure applicants truly possess advanced proprietary knowledge or expertise.
• Enhanced documentation requirements demonstrating the necessity and temporary nature of the transfer.
• Reinforced compliance monitoring, ensuring that the program aligns with its intended objectives and maintains labour market integrity.

Strengthening Program Integrity

This update is part of IRCC’s broader effort to safeguard the integrity of the International Mobility Program. By refining the ICT stream, Canada ensures that only genuine intra-company transfers that provide significant economic or operational benefit are approved.

The government has deleted outdated guidance under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Significant Benefit – Intra-Company Transferees – International Agreements [R205(a)] (exemption code C12). The new active instructions now fall under:

• [R205(a) – C61, C62, C63] – Canadian interests – International Mobility Program

This shift consolidates ICT procedures within the IMP, streamlining application processing and eliminating redundancies between overlapping programs.

Why the Update Matters for Businesses and Workers

For Canadian enterprises, these updates bring greater transparency and predictability when transferring key personnel. Clearer definitions of eligible roles help companies plan strategic staffing while ensuring compliance with federal immigration law.

For international employees, the new framework offers a more structured process, reducing uncertainty during visa and work permit applications. While standards have become more rigorous, applicants who meet the refined requirements may benefit from faster decision times and consistent assessments.

Key Highlights at a Glance

The Broader Impact on Canada’s Economy

By tightening the ICT framework, IRCC is reinforcing the balance between protecting Canadian jobs and welcoming specialized global talent. These changes ensure that businesses can still access critical expertise while maintaining fair opportunities for domestic workers. For sectors like technology, finance, and healthcare, this update supports sustainable growth by keeping the doors open to professionals with unique skills.

The latest Canadian initiative attracting US healthcare workers amid immigration reforms reflects Canada’s evolving approach to managing skilled immigration pathways. Similarly, the ICT guideline updates reaffirm the country’s goal of fostering innovation through strategic global mobility, while preserving program integrity and fairness.

Planning to Transfer Key Talent to Your Canadian Branch?

Reach out to ImmigCanada for professional guidance on intra-company transferee applications and compliance under the International Mobility Program. Contact us to ensure your business expansion aligns with the latest IRCC updates.