IRCC releases program updates regarding Intra-Company Transferees
Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees Canada (IRCC) has updated its guidance to staff relating to Intra-Company Transferees (ICTs). These changes were released on October 3.
IRCC made significant changes to staff guidance for section R205(a) of Canadian Interests – Significant Benefit – Intra-company transferees.
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In alignment with the changes made to R205(a), IRCC has also updated staff documentation for paragraphs R186(s) and R204(a) for the following free trade agreements, all related to the International Mobility Program:
Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement;
Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement;
Canada–Peru Free Trade Agreement;
Canada–Colombia Free Trade Agreement;
Canada–Chile Free Trade Agreement;
Canada–European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement;
Canada–United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement; and
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Canadian Interests – Significant Benefit – Intra-company transferees R205(a)
Major updates to this section include:
Clarification that ICTs must be transfers from a foreign enterprise of an existing multinational corporation (MNC), and providing staff guidance on how to assess whether the enterprise is considered an MNC;
Clarification on the definition of “specialized knowledge,” and how to assess whether an applicant has specialized knowledge, and whether a position requires specialized knowledge;
Clarification on the eligibility criteria for foreign nationals for the ICT; and
Consolidating the instructions for ICTs under R205(a) into a single page.
Guidance also reinforced that the ICT should not be used “as a means to transfer an enterprise’s general work force to affiliated entities in Canada.”
The update also stressed the importance of officers including all evidence for ICT applications within the Global Case Management System (GCMS).
Free trade agreements related to the International Mobility Program – paragraphs R186(a) and R204(a)
IRCC has updated instructions related to these free trade agreements (FTAs) by standardizing the format in the following ways:
Integrating all guidance on assessing ICTs into the ICT instructions for each FTA;
Formatting instructions as individual pages for each temporary work provision; and
Including an overview page.
On the same day, IRCC also updated guidelines for entering information in GCMS for representatives.
What is the International Mobility Program?
Under the International Mobility Program, employers can use Intra-Company Transfers to obtain work permits for foreign nationals, without needing to undertake a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
LMIAs are administered to ensure that the hiring of a foreign worker has a neutral or positive impact on the Canadian labour market. Employers must spend more time and effort to obtain LMIA-based work permits.
Changes part of IRCC’s ongoing reforms
These program updates relating to ICTs align with IRCC’s broader agenda for scaling back temporary resident programs.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller intends to lower the proportion of temporary residents in Canada’s population from 6.5% to 5% over the next three years.
On 18 Sept, Miller announced measures intended to significantly reduce the number of study permits, post-graduation work permits (PGWPs), and spousal open work permits over the next three years.
Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which enables LMIA-based work permits, has also come under scrutiny. As of the 26 Sept, the government has suspended processing of the low-wage stream of the TWFP for all census metropolitan areas in which the unemployment rate exceeds 6%.
The upcoming Levels Plan, to be released on November 1, will be the first Levels Plan to include targets for temporary residents.
The Levels Plan sets out immigration targets for the upcoming year, along with provisional targets for the following two years.
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IRCC releases program updates regarding Intra-Company Transferees
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum