The Complete 2025 Guide to Writing an Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Business Plan for Canada
If your company is planning to expand operations into Canada, the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) program offers a streamlined pathway to bring key personnel across borders without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
However, one of the most critical elements of a successful ICT application is a professionally written ICT business plan.
This guide is designed to help you understand what a strong business plan entails in 2025, and how to meet the evolving expectations of Canadian immigration authorities. Whether you're a multinational relocating a senior manager or a specialized knowledge worker, this article will walk you through the essential components of an ICT Canada strategy backed by real examples and insights from our immigration-focused business planning team.
Need a professional plan? Explore our ICT Business Plan Services
Want to see our work? Check out Sample Business Plans
For a broader overview, visit our Immigration Business Plans page
Have questions? Contact us here
What is the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Program?
The Intra-Company Transfer Canada program is a specialized immigration stream that allows multinational companies to temporarily transfer qualified employees to a Canadian branch, affiliate, or subsidiary. As part of the Canada business visa requirements, the ICT program is exempt from the LMIA process making it one of the most efficient options for global expansion.
To qualify, the transferee must have been employed with the foreign entity for at least one year in the past three and be coming to Canada in an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge role. The Canadian operation must also demonstrate a legitimate need for the transfer and have a realistic plan for business development.
This route is commonly used by tech firms, engineering consultancies, manufacturers, and other companies looking to establish or grow their Canadian footprint under a globally coordinated business structure.
For detailed eligibility and compliance criteria, see our ICT Business Plan page
To understand how your business plan fits into the broader immigration process, visit our Immigration Business comparison page
Who Needs an ICT Business Plan and Why?
A strong ICT business plan is not just a formality - it’s a key piece of evidence that helps Canadian immigration officers assess whether a company’s expansion and personnel transfer are legitimate, viable, and beneficial to the Canadian economy.
This requirement applies to companies of all sizes from established multinationals opening a new branch in Canada to fast-growing tech firms setting up affiliate offices. In all cases, the business plan ICT submission should clearly justify why the applicant’s role is essential and how the Canadian entity will sustain operations.
You need an ICT business plan if:
You’re transferring a foreign employee to a Canadian subsidiary, affiliate, or branch
The transfer involves an executive, senior manager, or specialized knowledge worker
Your Canadian company is newly established, and must prove viability
You’re applying under an LMIA-exempt stream and need to demonstrate substantial benefit
Canadian immigration officers are trained to review business plans critically. If your documents don’t reflect credible financials, coherent staffing plans, and alignment with IRCC standards, your application may be refused—even if your business is legitimate.
Important: ICT Is for Multinational Companies Only
The Intra-Company Transfer program is reserved for multinational companies that already have operations in at least two countries outside of Canada before expanding to Canada. Just setting up a Canadian entity from a single foreign company does not qualify.
If you’re not yet a multinational or you're establishing your first international office, you may be better suited for one of the following pathways:
🇨🇦 C11 Work Permit Business Plan: Ideal for entrepreneurs or self-employed applicants who can show significant economic or cultural benefit to Canada.
🧑💼 C10 Work Permit Business Plan: Suitable for individuals with unique expertise offering compelling benefits to Canada.
📋 Immigration Business Plans Overview: Explore all visa types and find the best fit.
✅ Not sure which one applies to you? Contact us for personalized guidance.
Key Components of an Effective ICT Business Plan
To meet the high standards of the intra company transfer Canada program, your ICT business plan must go beyond general overviews. It must demonstrate a real, measurable economic and strategic benefit to Canada - aligned with IRCC expectations. Here’s what a complete ICT business plan should include:
| Component | Purpose | Key Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Summary | Set the tone for the application and highlight the transfer's importance | Applicant’s role, Canadian business purpose, high-level investment, market need |
| Company Structure Overview | Establish the multinational status and operational legitimacy | Foreign parent entity details, Canadian subsidiary, corporate ownership, qualifying relationship |
| Market Analysis | Demonstrate awareness of Canadian market conditions and demand | Industry data, local opportunity, underserved segments, supporting stats (e.g., IBISWorld, StatCan) |
| Significant Economic Benefit | Satisfy the LMIA-exempt criteria by showing how the transfer helps Canada | Contributions to economic, social, environmental, or priority industry goals |
| Operational Plan | Show real plans to operate in Canada | Location, lease terms, staffing plan, daily operations, logistics |
| Financial Forecasts | Validate business viability | 3–5 year forecasts, use of funds, revenue assumptions, Canadian wage benchmarks |
| Exit Strategy | Align with IRCC requirements for temporary work permits | Transition plan for replacing the foreign applicant with a Canadian/permanent resident |
| Organizational Chart | Clarify structure and growth expectations | NOC codes, planned hires, reporting structure, timeline |
Economic Benefit Breakdown
IRCC expects clear contributions in at least one or more of the following categories, however we recommend having contributions to all.
| Benefit Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Economic | Job creation, revenue generation, local supplier usage, facility leasing, taxable profits |
| Social | Serving underserved communities (e.g., cultural or linguistic food markets), equity hiring, mentorship |
| Environmental | Use of eco-friendly logistics, green packaging, sustainable sourcing |
| Sector-Specific | Enhancing high-priority Canadian sectors such as agri-food, clean tech, digital services, AI, or biotech |
Note: IRCC Requirements Are Evolving
Immigration standards for ICT work permits are continually tightening. Officers now expect deeper market analysis, higher wages, more granular staffing plans, and clearer evidence of real benefit to Canada.
We stay ahead of these changes. Contact our team to ensure your plan is fully aligned with current IRCC expectations.
IRCC Requirements & Best Practices (2025 Edition)
As of 2025, ICT visa Canada requirements have become more stringent and more detailed. Officers are scrutinizing applications closely, particularly around the legitimacy of the business, the necessity of the transfer, and the expected benefit to Canada. To maximize your chances of approval, your ICT business plan must align with both regulatory requirements and practical best practices.
IRCC Key Requirements
| Requirement | What Officers Expect |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Relationship | Clear evidence of parent-subsidiary, branch, or affiliate status between companies |
| Length of Employment | Employee must have worked abroad at least 1 of the last 3 years in a qualifying role |
| NOC Role Validity | The position in Canada must be Executive, Senior Manager, or Specialized Knowledge |
| Temporary Intent | Applicant must plan to exit their operational role within the allowed timeframe |
| Substantial Benefit to Canada | Clear demonstration of economic, social, environmental, or sector-specific value |
| Canadian Business Viability | Evidence of real operations: office space, staffing plan, product/service roll-out |
| Proper Wages | Salaries should meet or exceed Job Bank medians for all roles, including applicant |
| Detailed Financial Projections | 3–5 year forecasts that are realistic, benchmarked to Canadian standards |
Best Practices for 2025
| Best Practice | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Use Canadian benchmarks | Officers are familiar with local wage rates, costs, margins—aligning builds credibility |
| Include a phased growth plan | Shows foresight and mitigates concerns around overpromising or scaling too quickly |
| Document the exit strategy early | Officers now look for a defined transition to a Canadian or PR staff member |
| Incorporate wage breakdowns | Listing NOC codes + median wage targets shows compliance with IRCC labour expectations |
| Address significant benefit in multiple areas | Don’t rely only on “job creation” — include trade, innovation, or social contributions |
Pro Tip
IRCC officers aren’t financial analysts but they are trained to detect inconsistencies and unsubstantiated projections. Avoid aggressive revenue claims, vague job creation promises, or generic market language.
Need help aligning your plan to 2025 standards? Visit our ICT Business Plan Services or Contact Us for a compliance review.
How Mikel Consulting Can Help
At Mikel Consulting, we specialize in crafting immigration-ready ICT business plans that meet and often exceed the expectations of Canadian immigration officers.
Every plan we deliver is:
Fully aligned with current IRCC policies and officer review standards
Tailored to your business model, sector, and Canadian growth strategy
Backed by experience across ICT, C11, SUV, and other work permit pathways
We’ve supported hundreds of multinational businesses—from food exporters to tech firms—in securing intra-company transfer approvals with high-quality, benchmarked business plans grounded in real Canadian market conditions.
What’s Included in Our ICT Package
35–45 page, professionally written business plan
7–10 business day turnaround
Unlimited revisions for 60 days
Integrated market research and financial projections
NOC-aligned staffing plan and wage benchmarking
Exit strategy and economic benefit analysis tailored to your sector
Government Feedback Guarantee
We’re so confident in our work that we offer this guarantee:
If your ICT business plan receives revision requests from IRCC or another government entity, we’ll make those changes free of charge, even after the 60-day unlimited client revision window.
Useful Resources & Internal Links
To help you explore further or get started, here are key links:
🇨🇦 Immigration Business Plan Overview
📞 Contact Page – Book a Consultation
Final Thoughts
Securing approval under the Intra-Company Transfer Canada program depends on more than just having a legitimate business. Your application must tell a clear, compliant, and compelling story—one that aligns with IRCC’s evolving expectations.
A well-prepared ICT business plan demonstrates your company’s readiness to operate in Canada, your applicant’s essential role, and the real benefit your business will bring to the Canadian economy and society. Done right, it strengthens your case and improves your chances of success.
At Mikel Consulting, we don’t just write plans we help you build a foundation for immigration success.
