Canadian Immigration Blogs

Intra-Company Transfer

Are you a foreign national that wants to work in Canada? Do you already work in a multinational company from either the United States or Mexico, which acquires an existing subsidiary branch within Canada? Do you obtain an upper-level position within your multinational company and are seeking to expand your knowledge to your company’s subsidiary branch? If your answers to these previous questions are yes, then you may be eligible for an intra-company transfer. Acquiring a work visa or permit within Canada is not an easy process to undergo and in order to be successful in this process, it is recommended to seek out legal experience and book a consultation with one of our immigration representatives through Akrami & Associates. For further information on this topic, please continue to read this blog.

What is an Intra-Company Transfer?

An intra-company transfer refers to an eligible foreign national, that is employed in a multinational company somewhere abroad, and wishes to be employed in a connecting branch for their company, within Canada. This transfer can only occur if the eligible worker wishes to transfer within a branch of their original company, which can be only from the United States or Mexico. But first things first, all potential intra-company transferees must obtain a work permit in order to even be considered for an employment transfer to Canada. Without this valid piece of document, a foreign national from a visa-exempt country cannot obtain work in Canada, regardless of connecting branches of employment.

What is an Intra Company Work Permit?

The Intra-Company work permit is a permit part of a larger one, the NAFTA work program. The North American Free Trade Agreement is an agreement placed into effect in 1994 between the North American countries, Canada, the United States and Mexico. The North American Free Trade agreement is one of the largest in the world and is responsible for benefit from the trading of supplies, technology, and materials. It also allows for the free movement for people in high demand and have the skills to fill professions within North America.

The Intra-Company work permit is a permit that allows for you to transfer to another office, or company that is not within your current country, whether that be the United States or Mexico. The Intra-Company work permit, for Canada, can be completed either before at a Consulate or at the Port of Entry.