How long must I have worked for the company abroad before an ICT transfer?

Canada wants to see that you are a genuine, established employee of the multinational rather than a recent or nominal hire. The standard expectation is at least one year of continuous, full-time employment with the foreign entity within the period before your transfer.

That prior employment should be in a capacity that lines up with the role you will hold in Canada, particularly for executive and managerial transfers. Strong evidence of your employment history, duties, and the corporate relationship between the two entities is central to a successful application.