Immigration Plans

Intra-Company Transfer (ICT / C12)

IRCC-aligned business plans for LMIA-exempt transfers and new-office expansions.

The Intra Company Transferee (ICT) Program allows multinational companies to transfer key employees, executives, and specialized-knowledge workers to their Canadian operations. This LMIA-exempt pathway is officially categorized under IRPR exemption code C12. It is ideal for global entrepreneurs and companies expanding into Canada who wish to send a senior employee or founder to open and manage a new branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.

Official Government page:
👉 Intra Company Transferees — IRCC

Alternate Names and Designations

  • Intra Company Transferee Work Permit
  • ICT Work Permit Canada
  • C12 LMIA-Exempt Work Permit
  • Intra Company Expansion Visa
  • Executive Transfer or Specialized Knowledge Transfer

These all refer to the same category under the International Mobility Program (IMP), where companies can bring foreign executives to Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). More information:
👉 International Mobility Program — IRCC

What Immigration Officers Look For in an ICT Business Plan

Officers assess the credibility, feasibility, and genuineness of the proposed expansion. A strong plan shows the company can establish or expand Canadian operations and provide economic benefit.

  • Corporate relationship between the foreign entity and the Canadian company (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate)
  • Viability of the Canadian business model with realistic market research and revenue assumptions
  • Financial capacity of the foreign company to support the Canadian operation
  • Role of the transferee (executive/senior manager/specialized knowledge) essential to operations
  • Job creation or economic contribution within the first year
  • Physical presence in Canada (incorporation, address/lease, and active operations)
  • Commitment to genuine business activity, not just immigration facilitation

Positions are typically aligned with NOC TEER 0 or 1. IRCC policy reference:
👉 IRCC guidance — Intra-Company Transfers (C12)

Why a Business Plan Is Required

A business plan is a strategic and often decisive part of an ICT application, especially for a new office in Canada. It evidences that the company has:

  • A clear business structure and operational roadmap
  • Realistic staffing projections for Canadian hires
  • Defined goals, milestones, and KPIs
  • Sufficient capital, assets, and contracts to sustain operations
  • A plan for the transferee’s ongoing role and succession

The plan also helps demonstrate the transfer is temporary for work-permit purposes, even if long-term operations could lead to PR later.

The Role of The Biz Plans

At The Biz Plans, we build plans around how you will actually operate — not generic templates. We collaborate closely to define what you will build, how you will run it, and why it is financially sound.

Every assumption is tied to execution and backed by CPA-level financials (multi-schedule pro formas, hiring cadence, cost maps, and cash-flow sensitivity).

That’s where Atul’s background helps: RCIC-IRB (5+ yrs with a leading immigration law firm), CPA (10+ yrs corporate finance incl. advisory roles with RBC & BMO), and 10+ yrs as fractional CFO for startups. He also holds two master’s degrees (latest in Finance, UBC) and authored the Business Plan Essentials series.

Why Entrepreneurs Choose The Biz Plans

  • Deep insight into officer review patterns across ICT, C11, PNP Entrepreneur, and SUV files
  • CPA-grade modeling that demonstrates repayment capacity and hiring feasibility
  • Real-world market sizing with Canada-specific data and sourcing
  • Collaborative process focused on your objectives, budget, and timelines
  • Guidance shaped by outcomes — avoiding common refusal triggers

How to Apply for an Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit

  1. Incorporate a Canadian entity (subsidiary, branch, or affiliate).
    👉 Incorporate a Business in Canada — Government of Canada
  2. Prepare a comprehensive business plan (expansion model, 12–24 month staffing, financials).
    The Biz Plans can assist with this stage.
  3. Gather supporting documents (ownership chart, financial statements, lease/office, contracts/LOIs).
  4. Apply for the ICT work permit under the International Mobility Program (C12).
    👉 Work Permit Application — IRCC
  5. Respond promptly to any officer requests (e.g., procedural fairness letters).

Need a Business Plan for a Canadian Business Expansion or ICT Application?

Our Canadian immigration business-plan service connects the expansion strategy, transferee role, staffing milestones and financial projections in one consistent commercial document.

Explore Immigration Business Plans

Additional Resources

Ready to Build Your ICT (C12) Plan?

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What working together includes

ICT business plans: scope, process and deliverables

Who it is for

Entrepreneurs and organizations preparing a documented case for counsel and immigration decision-makers.

Deliverables

A tailored narrative, cited market research, implementation plan and financial schedules appropriate to the engagement.

Review process

Discovery, evidence collection, drafting, financial reconciliation and a defined client review round before final delivery.

Pricing and timing

Quoted after scope review. Complexity, research depth, forecast requirements and source-data readiness determine the fee and schedule.

Start with the decision your plan must support

Tell us who will read the plan, what outcome you need, your deadline and which records are available. We will recommend a scope rather than forcing every project into one package.

Request a Scope & Quote Review Case Studies
Financial modellingForecasts and scenarios Plan examplesUnderstand the structure Frequently asked questionsProcess and preparation Credentials & reviewWho stands behind the work

Helpful answers

Frequently asked questions about Intra-Company Transfer (ICT / C12)

Practical answers to help you evaluate this topic and prepare your next step.

What does Intra-Company Transfer (ICT / C12) include?

The scope is tailored to the decision the work must support and may include discovery, market evidence, strategy, operating assumptions, financial analysis and review. Confirm the specific deliverables in the project proposal.

Who is this service best suited for?

It is most useful when an owner or organization needs a structured, evidence-based document for planning or an external decision. The intended reader and stage of the business determine the appropriate depth.

What should a client prepare before starting?

Prepare the objective, deadline, ownership and management details, product or service information, available research and financial records. Identify estimates clearly so they can be tested rather than presented as facts.

How are financial assumptions developed?

Assumptions should be built from pricing, demand, capacity, staffing, cost quotes and cash timing. Material inputs are documented and reconciled across the narrative and financial schedules.

How long does the work take?

Timing varies with complexity, research needs, source-data readiness and review cycles. A realistic schedule can be confirmed only after the required deliverables and available information are assessed.

Does professional support guarantee a successful outcome?

No. The relevant lender, investor, government body or management team makes the decision. Professional work improves clarity and analytical consistency but does not guarantee approval, funding or performance.