Important Updates
Important Updates
August 13, 2025 | Malaysia Malaysia: Visa-Free Stay for Libyan Nationals Extended
August 18, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Updates to National Innovation Visa Programs in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria
August 18, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Advertiser Permit Required for Some Social Media Promotional Content
August 14, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: English Language Test Requirement Updated
August 14, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Dubai Introduces ‘One Free Zone Passport’ Across Free Zones
August 13, 2025 | Malaysia Malaysia: Visa-Free Stay for Libyan Nationals Extended
August 18, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Updates to National Innovation Visa Programs in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria
August 18, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Advertiser Permit Required for Some Social Media Promotional Content
August 14, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: English Language Test Requirement Updated
August 14, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Dubai Introduces ‘One Free Zone Passport’ Across Free Zones
August 13, 2025 | Malaysia Malaysia: Visa-Free Stay for Libyan Nationals Extended
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

EU Lawmakers Approve Plan to Harmonize Immigration Rules for Intracompany Transferees

May 15, 2014

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • European UnionEuropean Union

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

European lawmakers have adopted a directive that will harmonize immigration rules for intracompany transferees in most EU member states and facilitate the transfer of managers, specialists and graduate trainees both into and within the region. EU member states will have two and a half years to implement the directive into their domestic laws from the date it is published in the Official Journal of the European Union, which is expected in the coming weeks. The directive will not apply in Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. 

Benefits of the New Permit 

Under the directive, EU states will create a new permit specifically annotated to reflect “intra-corporate transferee” (ICT) status. ICT permits will be valid for a maximum stay of three years for managers and specialists and one year for graduate trainees. 

In addition to permitting work in the EU state that initially grants the permit, the ICT permit will permit a transferee to work for entities of the same multinational group in other EU states for up to 90 days within a six-month period. For these intra-EU work stays, a member state may require, at a maximum, an ICT permit holder to submit a government notification before entering for employment in the member state’s territory. For intra-EU work stays exceeding 90 days, member states may require a separate ICT permit application. 

ICT permit holders will be permitted to work at third-party client sites of the multinational host company. 

Accompanying family members of ICT permit holders will benefit from eased access to local labor markets and should equally benefit from the directive’s the 90-day accommodation. 

Eligibility Criteria 

The directive will cover the temporary transfer of non-EU national managers, specialists and graduate trainees from an entity located outside the EU to an EU entity belonging to the same multinational group. The directive does not specify criteria for qualifying corporate relationships, but it contemplates a diverse range of possible business relationships. 

EU states will be permitted to set their own requirements for prior qualifying employment, provided that the requirement is between three to twelve months for managers and specialists and three to six months for graduate specialists. There will be no specific educational requirements for managers or specialists, but graduate trainees will be required to hold a university degree. Applications for the permits will not require labor market testing. Transferees must earn a salary that is at least equal to that of local workers in comparable positions. 

The directive anticipates that member states may create expedited application procedures for ICT permits. 

What the Directive Means for Employers 

The directive should do much to facilitate the movement of key workers for multinational companies. The impact will likely vary across EU member states, because member states will have considerable latitude to determine how to incorporate the permits into their domestic immigration systems. The adoption of the directive may lead to minor procedural changes in some countries, while in others it could lead to a substantial overhaul of a country’s immigration system. 

How Fragomen Can Assist 

Fragomen was actively engaged in pre-vote talks related to the directive and will further inform clients of any impact on national regulations, procedures and policies. Fragomen will work with governments in member states to communicate client concerns about potential domestic reforms. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

© 2009 - 2015 © Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Country / Territory

  • European UnionEuropean Union

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Fragomen's Posted Worker Compliance Solutions

In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Learn more

Blog post

From Facilitation to Surveillance: How Digitalization Will Impact Your European Compliance Program

Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: What the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration Reforms Mean for Employers

Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Learn more

Media mentions

NBC Bay Area: H-1B Visa Holders Will Be Required to Renew in Person Starting in September

Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.

Learn more

Podcast

New Roots: Pathways to Canada - Economic Mobility in Action - Canada's EMPP Unpacked

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi are joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Program Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries, to explore Canada’s EMPP.

Learn more

Blog post

Restored Citizenship: What Former South Africans Need to Know

Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba explains the legal process and key considerations for individuals seeking to regain South African citizenship after renunciation or loss.

Learn more

Blog post

From Advocacy to Action: Vietnam’s New Work Permit Decree Takes Shape

Partner Kenneth Lau discusses the development and implications of Vietnam's updated work permit regulations.

Learn more

Blog post

Coming in Fast: An On-the-Ground Perspective of Vietnam’s Dynamic Immigration Landscape

This blog explores Vietnam’s evolving work permit regulations amid growing foreign investment.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Fragomen's Posted Worker Compliance Solutions

In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Learn more

Blog post

From Facilitation to Surveillance: How Digitalization Will Impact Your European Compliance Program

Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: What the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration Reforms Mean for Employers

Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Learn more

Media mentions

NBC Bay Area: H-1B Visa Holders Will Be Required to Renew in Person Starting in September

Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.

Learn more

Podcast

New Roots: Pathways to Canada - Economic Mobility in Action - Canada's EMPP Unpacked

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi are joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Program Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries, to explore Canada’s EMPP.

Learn more

Blog post

Restored Citizenship: What Former South Africans Need to Know

Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba explains the legal process and key considerations for individuals seeking to regain South African citizenship after renunciation or loss.

Learn more

Blog post

From Advocacy to Action: Vietnam’s New Work Permit Decree Takes Shape

Partner Kenneth Lau discusses the development and implications of Vietnam's updated work permit regulations.

Learn more

Blog post

Coming in Fast: An On-the-Ground Perspective of Vietnam’s Dynamic Immigration Landscape

This blog explores Vietnam’s evolving work permit regulations amid growing foreign investment.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.