Canada Work Permits for US Employers: HR Guide to Timelines and Paths

If you’re wondering whether moving talent to Canada is a viable option, here’s a map to support workforce planning and give leadership clear options — especially for Canada work permits for US employers. We’ll split the steps by how your company is set up and give realistic timelines.

Canada work permits for US employers: what’s your starting point?

Your situation	Fastest primary path	Typical first hires	Rough timeline to first start date
A) You have non‑U.S. entities (e.g., UK, EU, India) but no Canadian entity yet	Intra‑Company Transfer (ICT) from an existing non‑U.S. affiliate after you form the Canadian company	Senior engineers, managers, specialized knowledge	6–12 weeks after entity setup (see steps below)
B) You already have a Canadian entity	Global Talent Stream (GTS) – Category B(LMIA + 2‑week work permit track for many tech roles)	Software engineers, data scientists, SRE, PMs	4–8 weeks from job offer if documents are ready
C) You have no non‑U.S. entities and no Canadian entity	Form Canadian entity → GTS Category B once you’re “operating” in Canada (or CUSMA Professional for eligible U.S. citizens)	First local hire(s) + initial transfers	6–12+ weeks (entity + hiring + permit)

Timelines are estimates. They assume clean documentation and no security/medical flags.

Quick note on where to set up

Most tech employers choose Ontario (Toronto/Waterloo) or British Columbia (Vancouver) for talent and time zones. Quebec has extra approvals and a different process — great market, but slower for a “speed-to-landing” plan. If speed is the priority, start outside Quebec and evaluate expansion later.

Path A — You have non‑U.S. entities, but no Canadian entity

When this fits you: Your company already operates outside the U.S. (e.g., U.K. or EU subsidiary). You’re ready to open Canada and move key staff.

Why it works: Once you form the Canadian subsidiary, you can use Intra‑Company Transfer (ICT) to move executives, managers, and specialized‑knowledge staff from an existing non‑U.S. affiliate. Newer guidance expects a multinational structure (not just U.S. + Canada) and stronger proof that both entities are actively doing business.

Who qualifies (typical)

• Executive/senior manager, or

• Specialized knowledge employee with proprietary know‑how, and

• Employed by the foreign affiliate for ~1 year in the last 3, with evidence (pay slips, contracts, org charts).

Move-in timeline

1. Form Canadian entity (pick province, register, bank, tax/payroll): 4–8 weeks.

2. Prepare ICT packet (qualifying relationship docs, org charts, proof of doing business, job duties, resumes): 1–2 weeks.

3. Apply for ICT work permit (online; some nationals can apply at the border/airport): 2–4+ weeks.

4. Land & start (SIN, payroll set-up, benefits): 1 week.

Good to know

• ICT is LMIA‑exempt. No labour market test.

• Pairs well with a “seed team” (lead + 2–3 seniors) to train and hire locally fast.

Works well when: Senior engineers and leaders you’ve already employed abroad, who can anchor the new site.

Path B — You already have a Canadian entity (Global Talent Stream: fastest Canada work permits for US employers) (fastest for most tech roles)

When this fits you: Your corporation exists in Canada and is actively operating.

Why it works: Global Talent Stream (GTS) Category B lets Canadian employers hire in‑demand tech roles with an expedited LMIA and target two‑week work‑permit processing when the file is complete.

Who fits: Software engineers, data scientists, SRE/DevOps, product managers, and other roles on the published GTS Occupations List — a common route in Canada work permits for US employers. Pay must meet or exceed the required wages. You’ll file a short LMIA plus a Labour Market Benefits Plan.

Move-in timeline

1. Offer + docs (duties, wage, NOC mapping): 1 week.

2. GTS LMIA (service standard aims at ~10 business days when complete): 2 weeks.

3. Work permit (GSS two‑week aim) once LMIA is issued and the worker applies from outside Canada with biometrics/medicals as needed: 2–3 weeks.

4. Land & start: 1 week.

Works well when: U.S.‑based F‑1 STEM OPT or H‑1B candidates in core tech roles where speed matters and wages are strong.

Path C — You have no non‑U.S. entities and no Canadian entity (starting from scratch on Canada work permits for US employers) (startup to Canada)

When this fits you: U.S.‑only company, starting global expansion with Canada.

How to make it work quickly

1. Form the Canadian company and start operating (banking, payroll, at least one local hire or contract in Canada).

2. For first transfers, pick from:

   • GTS Category B (once operating in Canada). This requires showing the business is real and active.

   • CUSMA Professional (LMIA‑exempt) for U.S. or Mexican citizens in listed professions (e.g., engineers, computer systems analysts) — great for first leader(s) if eligible.

3. Use the first hires to stand up the site, then widen via GTS.

Move-in timeline (illustrative)

• Entity + operating: 4–8 weeks.

• CUSMA Professional at POE (U.S. citizens): same day if documents are perfect; otherwise, 1–3 weeks online.

• GTS LMIA + work permit: 4–6 weeks after you’re operating.

Works well when: You’re launching a new Canada hub from scratch and the team has mixed citizenship. That lets you combine CUSMA for eligible U.S./Mexican citizens with GTS/ICT for others, so the site ramps faster.

What “operating in Canada” means

To use GTS, you can’t be a shell. You should show business legitimacy: registrations, a real address (co‑working is fine), active Canadian payroll/vendor relationships, and that someone is actually working in Canada (not just your first transferee). Practically, most companies make one local hire or contract and begin delivering services before filing.

Timelines — Canada work permits for US employers

• ICT (Path A): 2–4+ weeks for the permit once the Canada entity exists; total 6–12 weeks including setup.

• GTS (Path B/C): ~4–6 weeks (10 business days for LMIA + ~2 weeks for the work permit when eligible).

• CUSMA Professional (Path C, U.S. citizens): same-day at POE with perfect docs, or ~2–3 weeks online.

Special notes for HR

• STEM OPT / cap‑gap: A Canada move (GTS ~4–6 weeks; ICT ~6–12 weeks) is often faster than waiting for the next H‑1B lottery and Oct 1 start. Keep U.S. work authorization clean until the move date.

• Travel: Most employees will need an eTA (visa‑exempt) or TRV (visa‑required) with the work permit approval.

• Quebec: Outstanding market, but adds CAQ steps and different rules. If speed is critical, launch elsewhere first.

• Permanent residence: Express Entry (CEC/FSW), Provincial Nominee Programs, and employer support letters can convert your Canadian hub from temporary to permanent in 6–18 months, depending on profile.

Where we can help (if you want a hand)

Here’s how we typically support teams:

• Design the route per role (ICT vs GTS vs CUSMA) rather than forcing one path for everyone.

• Entity to operations in 30–45 days with a practical punch list and partner referrals (bank, payroll, benefits).

• Two-track hiring: stand up a seed team now (ICT/CUSMA), then scale via GTS once you’re operating.

• Candidate-by-candidate plan: call out risks, document gaps, and set a go‑live date you can give leadership.

• Cross‑border handoff: help with U.S. exit timing (I‑9, last‑day logistics) and Canada onboarding.

Frequently asked questions

Do we need an office lease? 

A co‑working address is fine to start. What matters is that you’re operating (real activity and a Canadian headcount/payroll footprint).

Do we need Canadians on payroll before filing? 

For GTS, plan on at least one Canadian working before filing. For ICT, it isn’t required, but proving both entities are doing business helps approvals.

How many roles are eligible under GTS? 

Many software/data/IT engineering roles qualify through the published GTS Occupations List; we’ll map your job to the right NOC.

What if the employee is a U.S. citizen? 

Consider CUSMA Professional for eligible titles — it’s LMIA‑exempt and can be issued at the border with complete documents.

Can we go to Quebec? 

Yes, but factor in extra steps (e.g., CAQ). If speed matters, launch elsewhere first and add Quebec later.

Your first 30 days

Week 1: Pick province; start incorporation; identify seed team roles and candidates.

Week 2: Open bank; apply CRA numbers; start payroll; post first Canadian role.

Week 3: Decide per‑candidate path (ICT/GTS/CUSMA); kick off LMIA or permit packets.

Week 4: File LMIA (if GTS) and work permits; line up housing/travel; set start dates.

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This is information, not legal advice. Timelines are estimates and depend on case facts and government processing.