C12 — Intra-Company Transfer (LMIA-exempt)

Canada•North America

Open

C12 — Intra-Company Transfer (LMIA-exempt)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

14-56 days

Application Fee

385 CAD

Stay Duration

3 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Canada

Cost of Living

8% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryCA$50,000

Quality of Life

172/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Transfer to a Canadian branch as an executive, senior manager, or specialized knowledge worker.

The Canadian Intra-Company Transfer (C12) permit lets multinationals relocate executives, senior managers, or specialized knowledge workers to a Canadian branch or affiliate. LMIA-exempt, it skips the labour market test. Applicants must have worked for the foreign entity in a similar role for at least one year.

Initial permits run 1–3 years, renewable to 7 years (executives/managers) or 5 years (specialized knowledge workers). The employer submits an offer via the Employer Portal and pays a CAD 230 compliance fee; the worker pays CAD 155. Spouses qualify for an open work permit, and dual intent is permitted.

This visa is ideal for multinational employees being relocated to Canada in a senior or proprietary-knowledge role, seeking a renewable work permit and a path to permanent residence.

Fee Breakdown

Work permit processing fee	155 CAD
Employer compliance fee	230 CAD

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

3 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Canada

Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing6 months

View Visa Details

Canada

CEC — Canadian Experience Class

ValidityIndefinite

Processing6 months

View Visa Details

Canada

FSWP — Federal Skilled Worker Program

ValidityIndefinite

Processing6 months

View Visa Details

Canada

PV2 / PNC — Provincial Nominee Program

ValidityIndefinite

Processing7-14 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be employed by a foreign parent company, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of a Canadian entity.

Must have been employed by the foreign company in a similar full-time role for at least one year within the last three years.

Must be transferring to Canada as an executive, senior manager, or a worker with specialized knowledge.

The Canadian and foreign entities must have a qualifying corporate relationship.

Both entities must be actively doing business (providing goods or services on a regular basis).

The Canadian entity must have physical premises (for new offices).

The foreign company must demonstrate the financial ability to operate in Canada and compensate the employee.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Experience

1+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport.

Proof of one-year continuous full-time employment with the foreign entity.

Detailed job description and organizational chart showing the role's seniority or specialized nature.

Proof of qualifying corporate relationship (e.g., articles of incorporation, share registers).

Evidence of active business operations (e.g., contracts, invoices, business licenses).

Employer offer of employment number (from the Employer Portal).

Proof of financial capacity of the Canadian entity.

CV and professional credentials.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

LMIA-exempt, significantly speeding up the process compared to standard work permits.
Allows spouses to apply for an open work permit.
Children may be eligible for free public education.
No mandatory English or French language proficiency test.
Provides a pathway to permanent residence through various federal or provincial programs.
Allows multinational companies to move key talent to Canada efficiently.

Worth Knowing

Initial work permits are often limited to one year for new offices; renewal depends on demonstrating active business growth.
Maximum duration is typically 7 years for executives/managers and 5 years for specialized knowledge workers.
Strict scrutiny on the 'specialized knowledge' definition; it must be proprietary or advanced knowledge of the company's products/services.
The foreign entity must maintain the employee's position abroad to ensure they have a role to return to.
Requires significant documentation to prove the legitimacy of the corporate relationship.

Application Process

Assess eligibility and confirm the qualifying corporate relationship.

Develop a comprehensive business plan (especially for new offices).

Prepare the transfer package, including corporate ownership charts, business licenses, and financial evidence.

Employer submits the offer of employment through the Employer Portal and pays the compliance fee.

Worker submits the work permit application online (or at a Port of Entry if visa-exempt).

Provide biometrics and undergo medical examinations if required.

Receive the work permit upon approval and entry to Canada.

Application Forms

Go to application portal

IMM 1295 Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada	Fill online
Employer compliance fee	—

Verified Claims (23)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Assess eligibility and confirm the qualifying corporate relationship.; Develop a comprehensive busin…	canada.ca
Dependent Visa	Open work permit for spouse	canada.ca
Fee Breakdown	Work permit processing fee: 155 CAD; Employer compliance fee: 230 CAD	ircc.canada.ca
Fees	CAD 155 + CAD 230 employer compliance fee	ircc.canada.ca
Forms	IMM 1295; Employer compliance fee	canada.ca
Forms · IMM 1295 · description	Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada	canada.ca
Forms · IMM 1295 · url	https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-gui…	canada.ca
Included Nationalities	—	canada.ca

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Check Eligibility

Overview

Transfer to a Canadian branch as an executive, senior manager, or specialized knowledge worker.

This visa is ideal for multinational employees being relocated to Canada in a senior or proprietary-knowledge role, seeking a renewable work permit and a path to permanent residence.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be employed by a foreign parent company, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of a Canadian entity.

Must have been employed by the foreign company in a similar full-time role for at least one year within the last three years.

Must be transferring to Canada as an executive, senior manager, or a worker with specialized knowledge.

The Canadian and foreign entities must have a qualifying corporate relationship.

Both entities must be actively doing business (providing goods or services on a regular basis).

The Canadian entity must have physical premises (for new offices).

The foreign company must demonstrate the financial ability to operate in Canada and compensate the employee.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Experience

1+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport.

Proof of one-year continuous full-time employment with the foreign entity.

Detailed job description and organizational chart showing the role's seniority or specialized nature.

Proof of qualifying corporate relationship (e.g., articles of incorporation, share registers).

Evidence of active business operations (e.g., contracts, invoices, business licenses).

Employer offer of employment number (from the Employer Portal).

Proof of financial capacity of the Canadian entity.

CV and professional credentials.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

LMIA-exempt, significantly speeding up the process compared to standard work permits.
Allows spouses to apply for an open work permit.
Children may be eligible for free public education.
No mandatory English or French language proficiency test.
Provides a pathway to permanent residence through various federal or provincial programs.
Allows multinational companies to move key talent to Canada efficiently.

Worth Knowing

Initial work permits are often limited to one year for new offices; renewal depends on demonstrating active business growth.
Maximum duration is typically 7 years for executives/managers and 5 years for specialized knowledge workers.
Strict scrutiny on the 'specialized knowledge' definition; it must be proprietary or advanced knowledge of the company's products/services.
The foreign entity must maintain the employee's position abroad to ensure they have a role to return to.
Requires significant documentation to prove the legitimacy of the corporate relationship.

Application Process