Empirical-Scientist said:
Read the
guide, here's a quote from it: "Starting on April 1, 2011, you will be able to work in Canada for a maximum period of four years. "
I think for Intra company transferred employees it works differently. Have a look at link below
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/fw01-eng.pdf
Refer Page 70
Duration of stay:
Executives and Managers: initial maximum three years, unless office start-up (one year); two-year renewals allowable; total period of stay may not exceed seven years.
Specialized knowledge workers: initial maximum three years, unless office start-up (one year); two-year renewals allowable; total period of stay may not exceed five years.
Breaks in Canadian service
Most foreign nationals who have worked in Canada under the intra-company transferee category may again receive consideration under this category if they have been on an assignment with a branch of the same company in a foreign jurisdiction for at least 12 months. This includes all NAFTA applicants pursuant to T24 and specialized knowledge applicants under C12. Please refer to Section 11.2.
For example, a foreign national who worked in Canada as a specialized knowledge worker for two years for the Canadian entity, then transferred to an Australian branch of the same company for two years, would be eligible for consideration under the intra-company transferee provisions as a specialized worker for another five-year period, with the initial work permit not exceeding the three-year maximum duration under C12.
Recaptured Time
Normally, the duration of the work permit will be used to calculate the maximum five or seven-year time limit. However, documented time spent outside Canada during the duration of the work permit can be ―recaptured‖ to allow the ICT five or seven full years of physical presence in Canada.
For example, if an ICT senior manager has a work permit for one year and spends two 2-month stints over the course of the 12 months working in the US, then only eight months would count against their seven-year limit as an ICT.
Intra-company transferee duration of work permit limit
After intra-company transferees have reached their maximum work permit duration (seven years for executives and senior managers and five years for specialized knowledge workers), they must complete one year of full-time employment in the company outside Canada if they wish to re-apply as an intra-company transferee. This requirement, which exists in NAFTA, applies to all intra-company transferees, whether they enter under the IRPA general provisions of R205(a) or under international trade agreement provisions of R204(a). It also applies to foreign nationals who wish to switch from a work permit issued under R205(a) to a work permit issued under R204(a).
Harmonization of NAFTA and the general provisions will help employers in human resource planning and simplify the administration of intra-company transferees provisions for foreign nationals and immigration and visa officers.
For complete details refer section 5.31 - Canadian Interests: Significant benefit—intra-company transferees R205(a), C12
