UPDATE: ICT PROGRAM – CETA & CUKTCA (IRCC – May 2, 2025)

📌 Key highlights:

1. Updates to the length of stay for ICT workers:
   Clarifications on maximum durations and renewal options for Executive/Manager, Specialized Knowledge, and Graduate Trainee roles.
   2. Removal of the word “senior” when referring to the manager role in both agreements:

• CETA (Canada – EU)

• CUKTCA (Canada – UK)
  👉 This change broadens eligibility, allowing managers who are not necessarily at the “senior” level to still qualify under ICT.

ICT – CETA (Canada & EU)

🔹 Who is eligible?

• Must be a citizen of a European Union country

• Employed full-time for at least 1 year at an EU-based branch of a multinational company

• Temporarily transferring to a Canadian branch in one of the following roles:
  ➡️ Executive/Manager (T44)
  ➡️ Graduate Trainee (T42)
  ➡️ Specialized Knowledge (T41)

🔹 Length of stay in Canada:

• Executive/Manager: ⏳ Up to 3 years ➕ 18-month extension ➡️ Max 4.5 years

• Specialized Knowledge: ⏳ Up to 3 years ➕ 18-month extension ➡️ Max 4.5 years

• Graduate Trainee: ⏳ Up to 1 year ❌ No extension

⚠️ You cannot reset the clock by switching ICT categories after reaching the 4.5-year limit.

🔹 Documents required:
📌 Valid EU passport
📌 Letter from EU employer confirming the Canada-EU business relationship
📌 Job description for the Canada role
📌 Educational certificates, licenses (if any)
📌 Job offer submitted via Employer Portal

🔹 Role-specific requirements:

• Executive/Manager: Must be a senior-level position (TEER 0–1), not involved in hands-on production or service

• Specialized Knowledge: Must hold proprietary and high-level expertise not commonly found in the Canadian labour market

• Graduate Trainee: Bachelor’s degree required; purpose of stay is to receive business training

🔹 Spouse/Partner (T45):
💡 Eligible for an open work permit valid for the same period as the main applicant
❌ No need to show prior Canadian work experience

 ICT – CUKTCA (Canada & UK)

🔹 Who is eligible?

• Must be a UK citizen

• Employed full-time for at least 1 year at a UK-based enterprise with a qualifying connection to a Canadian branch

• Transferring temporarily to Canada in one of the following roles:
  ➡️ Executive/Manager (F61)
  ➡️ Graduate Trainee (F62)
  ➡️ Specialized Knowledge (F63)

🔹 Length of stay in Canada:

• Executive/Manager: ⏳ Up to 3 years ➕ 18-month extension ➡️ Max 4.5 years

• Specialized Knowledge: ⏳ Up to 3 years ➕ 18-month extension ➡️ Max 4.5 years

• Graduate Trainee: ⏳ Up to 1 year ❌ No extension

⚠️ After reaching 4.5 years, the worker must return to the UK and work full-time for at least 1 year before reapplying.

🔹 Documents required:
📌 Valid UK passport
📌 Employer letter describing the current and proposed roles, duties, compensation
📌 Job offer submitted via Employer Portal
📌 Degrees or credentials (especially for specialized knowledge roles)

🔹 Role-specific requirements:

• Executive/Manager: TEER 0–1, must clearly demonstrate leadership/decision-making duties

• Specialized Knowledge: Must have highly specialized or proprietary knowledge essential to the business

• Graduate Trainee: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; must be coming to gain business training

🔹 Spouse/Partner (F64):
💡 Also eligible for an open work permit matching the principal applicant’s duration

🎯 IMPORTANT TIPS FOR BOTH CETA & CUKTCA

⚠️ Must perform the exact duties listed in the work permit
⚠️ Cannot switch to a higher/lower role not reflected in the permit
⚠️ Switching ICT categories is allowed only if you have at least 1 year of relevant experience in the past 3 years

👉 If you’re currently working in the EU or UK and your company offers you a transfer to Canada, now is the time to prepare your application properly under the updated rules!