IRCC’s New Changes: Easy Access to Work permit

Canada’s immigration department has rolled out important updates to its Intra-Company Transferees (ICT) program, reinforcing its commitment to a more efficient immigration process. Released on October 3, these changes bring clarity and streamline staff guidelines under section R205(a) of the Canadian Interests – Significant Benefit category within the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Key Changes to the Intra-Company Transferee Program

The updated guidelines make it clear that ICT applicants must be transferred from a foreign office of an established multinational corporation (MNC). Additional clarifications are provided on how to assess an applicant’s “specialized knowledge” and whether a position truly requires such expertise. The criteria for foreign nationals seeking ICT eligibility have also been refined, ensuring a more straightforward and transparent evaluation process.

By consolidating all ICT instructions onto one page, the changes are designed to provide officers with clear and consistent guidance, while also emphasizing that the ICT route should not be used as a backdoor for transferring general employees to Canadian offices. Officers are further encouraged to document all evidence within the Global Case Management System (GCMS) to enhance the integrity of the process.

Enhanced Guidance for Free Trade Agreements

Updates have also been applied to sections R186(s) and R204(a), standardizing the format and improving instructions for work permits under various free trade agreements such as those with the United States, Korea, the European Union, and others. By integrating guidance into individual pages for each temporary work provision, the process becomes more user-friendly and accessible.

A Step Towards Broader Reform

These changes align with the government’s wider strategy to re-balance the proportion of temporary residents in Canada. Alongside recent reforms targeting study permits, post-graduation work permits, and low-wage streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, these ICT updates are part of a larger push to manage Canada’s immigration system more effectively.

With the upcoming release of the immigration Levels Plan on November 1, which will for the first time include targets for temporary residents, Canada continues to refine its approach to immigration, making programs like the ICT more transparent and structured.