Intra-company transfer and treaty investor work permits.

What the International Mobility Program (IMP) is

Most employers who hire foreign workers in Canada need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which shows that no Canadian was available for the job. The International Mobility Program is the set of work permits that are exempt from that step, because the work brings a broader benefit to Canada or because Canada has agreed to it in a trade treaty.

Two IMP routes matter most to businesses: intra-company transfers and treaty investor permits. They are often confused, but they rest on different rules. The first question I ask every business client is which legal door they are walking through.

Intra-company transfer (ICT) work permits

An intra-company transfer lets a multinational company send an existing employee to work at its Canadian parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate. Under IRCC's instructions, the general ICT category is open to applicants of any citizenship.

The core requirements

• You currently work for the company outside Canada as an executive, a manager, or in a role that requires specialized knowledge.
• You have worked for it continuously, full-time, for at least one year in the last three years. Part-time work that adds up to a year doesn't count.
• The company is a genuine multinational, with revenue-generating operations in at least one country besides its home country.
• The Canadian business is owned or controlled by the same group. Franchise, licensing, supplier and client relationships don't qualify.
• The Canadian business is actively operating from real commercial premises. A home office or a mail-drop address won't do.
• You are moving temporarily, in the same capacity, and your job abroad stays open for your return.

The three ICT categories

"Specialized knowledge" is where many applications struggle. IRCC expects both advanced knowledge of the company's own products, processes or systems and an advanced level of expertise. Being highly skilled in your field is not enough on its own, and the Canadian salary must meet at least the prevailing wage for the job and region.

Treaty investor work permits under CUSMA and other trade agreements

Several of Canada's free trade agreements let citizens of partner countries come to Canada to develop and direct a business they have invested in. The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is the best-known example, and CPTPP, the UK agreement, and agreements with Korea, Peru and Colombia have investor categories of their own. Eligibility depends on your citizenship, so this is the first thing I check.

What officers look for, using CUSMA as the example

• Nationality of the business. This depends on ownership, not where the company is incorporated. At least half the Canadian business must be owned by citizens of the treaty country.
• Control. You generally need a controlling interest. A 50/50 partnership usually isn't enough, especially in a smaller business.
• A substantial investment. There is no minimum dollar amount. Officers compare what you put in against the total cost of the business: the smaller the business, the larger your share needs to be.
• Money that is committed. Funds sitting in a personal account don't count. The money must be invested or irrevocably committed, and you must show it came from legitimate sources.
• A real, active business. It must produce goods or services for profit and earn more than a living for you and your family. Passive or speculative investments, such as holding property for appreciation, don't qualify.

For CUSMA investors, the first permit is issued for up to one year and extensions are normally granted in two-year increments if the requirements are still met. IRCC asks investors to apply before travelling rather than at the border.

Where applications tend to go wrong

• A Canadian "office" that exists only on paper, with no premises, staff or revenue.
• A manager's title without real managerial duties, or a business too small to justify one.
• Specialized knowledge described in general industry terms rather than company-specific ones.
• An investment that hasn't been committed yet, or a source of funds that isn't documented.
• An employer offer or compliance fee not completed in IRCC's Employer Portal before the worker applies.

Can my family come with me?

Spouses, common-law partners and dependent children can often come with you, but the rules depend on the route and on your occupation. Some trade agreements include their own spouse provisions; others rely on Canada's general spousal open work permit rules. I review your family situation as part of every business file.

Frequently asked questions

How I can help

I work through each file with you: confirming which route fits, reviewing the corporate structure and ownership, preparing the employer's offer in the Employer Portal, building the business plan and investment evidence, and preparing you for questions at the visa office or the border. Every case depends on its own facts, and no consultant can promise an approval. What I can promise is a clear, honest assessment of where your file is strong and where it needs work.