How to Obtain Canada's ICT Visa from Iran?

As businesses expand internationally, the need to sometimes relocate key employees is a given. Canada's Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa presents a smooth way for companies to transfer executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers to their Canadian affiliate. It does not require LMIA, hence it's faster and more efficient for many businesses.

But is this the best option for your business? Let's go into details, advantages, and how you can take advantage of the ICT visa.

What is Canada's ICT Visa?

Canada's Intra-Company Transfer Visa was created to enable companies in Canada to transfer qualified employees to Canadian branches. It allows such companies in Canada to send workers without going through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. The exemption can save a lot of time and hassle associated with relocating key personnel to Canada.

For official requirements, please visit the Government of Canada ICT Visa page. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/transfer.html 

Who is Eligible for the Canada ICT Visa?

For an ICT visa, the eligibility involves:

Being employed by a multi-national organization with operations in Canada and at least one other country;
The applicant to be working in the company in an executive, managerial or specialized knowledge position;
Continuous employment in the company for at least one year in the last three years.
There must be a genuine business relationship between the Canadian branch and the company abroad.

For a complete breakdown of who is eligible, please see the Government of Canada's ICT eligibility criteria guidelines https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/transfer/eligibility.html 

Benefits of Canada's ICT Visa

1. No LMIA Requirement

One of the major advantages of the ICT visa is that it does not require the LMIA process. Normally, LMIA is required as proof that no qualified Canadian is available for the job. With ICT Visa, companies are relieved from this time-consuming process, and hence, the transfer becomes quicker and less expensive. This would save the business much valuable time and money. More information about LMIA exemptions in Canada can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/exemption-lmia.html

2. Pathway to Permanent Residency

An ICT visa can even be a stepping stone to permanent residency. After some years in Canada, for example, workers may be eligible to apply for PR through programs like the CEC via the Express Entry System. This makes the ICT visa an attractive option for relocated staff, offering long-term stability, and is a bonus to the employer.

For more about permanent residency pathways, learn about the Canadian Experience Class Program, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/canadian-experience-class.html 

3. Faster Processing Times

The other big advantage is the much quicker processing time compared to other work permits. Businesses can transfer employees in a matter of weeks because there is no need for the LMIA process. This makes it time-sensitive for projects and important positions. Generally speaking, the average processing times for an ICT visa are usually shorter compared to other Canadian work permits.

Find up-to-date visa processing times at IRCC website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html 

4. Long-Term Benefits for Businesses

The ICT visa proves to be particularly useful to companies dealing in technology, financial services, and other industries, where extremely specialized knowledge forms a significant part of their success factor. This allows easy mobility of important personnel and ensures operational continuity across borders that helps companies realize competitive advantages on a global scale.

To better understand how the ICT visa would work for a multinational company, it is best to refer to the work permit exemptions according to IRCC guidelines: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/exemptions/work-permits.html 

How to Apply for the ICT Visa

Application for the ICT visa itself is relatively straightforward but needs to be very detailed:

1. Confirm Eligibility: Verify that your employee will fall under the criteria of the program. The occupation needs to be either an executive or managerial position, or a specialized knowledge.

2.Documentation: The following documents will be required for the purpose of the same, to wit:
Proof of the applicant's employment and period, along with designation.
A detailed explanation of the position that the employee would face within the firm in Canada.
Documents related to the relationship of the Canadian branch with the foreign company involved are also to be attached, ownership documents.

3. Submission of the application: An application is permitted to be submitted via an online IRCC portal. In some cases, an application can be processed upon arrival at a port of entry, although this is granted in only very exceptional circumstances. Please refer to the full detail, IRCC application guide https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/transfer.html

4. Wait for Processing: Actual processing times are still variable, but generally faster than work permits dependent on LMIA. Check current wait time on the IRCC website to ensure your timelines fit within project deadlines.

5. Begin Working in Canada: Once issued, workers can come to Canada and immediately start working. An initial visa is issued for as long as three years for executives and managers and can be renewed for as much as five years in specialized knowledge positions.

What are the Long-Term Benefits for Employees?

The ICT visa for employees is not just a work permit but rather a path towards permanent, long-term employment in Canada. To this end, the years of work experience an employee has accumulated working in Canada could eventually make that employee eligible for PR status through the CEC, which was specifically designed to retain qualified individuals who have work experience in Canada.

This is a win-win for long-term benefits to both companies and employees; the companies are kept with a pool of work, and the family can find a way of building a life in Canada.

To learn more about the benefits of permanent residency, see the Express Entry and CEC programs. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry.html  

Is the ICT Visa the Best Option for Your Business?

The ICT visa is ideal if your company is international and you need to mobilize talent into Canada as fast as possible. It brings together, in perfect harmony, LMIA exemption with quick processing times, thereby leading to long-term benefits in getting permanent residency. The ICT visa is surely an excellent way for multinational firms to expand businesses within the Canadian market.

Get Started on Your ICT Visa Application Today! Ready to get started? Check the official requirements on the Government of Canada website by visiting https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/transfer.html

Need additional assistance?

With the correct strategy in place, Canada's ICT visa can be instrumental in the growth of a company while affording employees that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to further their career in one of the world's most in-demand destinations for immigration.

For more personalized solutions and walkthroughs, head over to https://www.uttervision.com/  to make the process much easier for your business.