Transferring Internally to Bain Canada from Bain India

Question

Here's my story so far:

- Graduated from IIM Ahmedabad

- Got into Bain India as an AC

- Promoted to SAC (Senior AC) in a year and would be promoted to a consultant in another 6 months (though I would want to initiate the internal transfer process beforehand so that I can finish the process by the time I complete 2 years in the firm).

In total have ~1.5 years of work experience in Bain's India's office. Wanted to shift to Bain's Canada office for personal reasons. Don't really want to do another MBA after doing a reasonably decent one.

I was just wondering if anyone being in the MBB ecosystem specifically Bain at Canada could give me some insight on:

1. How much is the typical workload apart from crunch periods?

2. how many days out of a year approximately are crunch days (aggregated in a year)?

3. How much hours does the workload in crunch periods stretch to?

4. Given my background and the fact that I hold a Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) how possible and doable does an internal transfer look? (Without a second MBA)

So far these were the burning questions I had. I know number of hours is on the least indicative metrics, but if anything it'll help me predict the routine. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hey there 🙂, transferring internally from Bain India to Bain Canada is definitely possible, especially since you already hold Canadian PR (which removes a major visa barrier). Your IIM Ahmedabad background and fast-track promotion make you a strong candidate for the move.

1️⃣ Internal Transfer Feasibility (Without an MBA)

Bain does allow internal transfers, but approvals depend on business needs and office capacity. Bain Canada, particularly Toronto, is one of the more competitive offices, so having strong performance reviews will be crucial.
Since you’ll be hitting the Consultant level soon, transferring before that milestone could be easier, as lateral Consultant transfers may face higher scrutiny.
Your best bet: Have early discussions with your Professional Development (PD) team and your Canadian office sponsors—internal networking is key.

2️⃣ Workload at Bain Canada (Outside Crunch Periods)

Typical workload: ~55-65 hours per week on average. Some weeks lighter (~50 hours), others heavier (~70).
Work-life balance slightly better than India, but still intense, especially on high-demand projects.

3️⃣ Crunch Periods (How Many & Hours Per Week)

Crunch periods happen ~3-4 times a year, usually around major client deadlines, big presentations, or private equity due diligences.
During crunch times, expect 80+ hour weeks (some days hitting 16+ hours). Weekend work might be necessary, though Bain tries to limit it.

4️⃣ Steps to Make the Transfer Happen

✅ Start conversations ASAP—reach out to Bain Canada consultants (especially those who transferred) and align with your PD team early.
✅ Frame the move strategically—position it as a career-driven shift rather than purely personal.
✅ Ensure top performance reviews—Bain prioritizes high-performing consultants for internal moves.
✅ Get a sponsor in Bain Canada—a Partner backing your move increases chances.

Final Thoughts

Since you already have PR, don’t need an MBA, and are performing well, your chances of transferring are quite strong—but Bain Canada’s demand at the time of your request will be the biggest factor. Start internal networking now, and make your case early!

Let me know if you need help navigating the process further! Best, Alessa 😇

Answer 2

Hi,

For questions 1 - 3 ideally you should reach out to a consultant at Bain Canada. In my experience, north american consulting companies are pretty similar in terms of hours of work. Mon - Thu heavy (12-16h day depending on the project type), Friday ends by 6PM and weekends are free.

For the fourth question, if you have a personal reason you may try to just move from an office to the other, no MBA required. You come from a target school and has a good performance record, next steps would be to find a sponsor to back you up and craft a compelling story regarding the why. Usually family related matters are the ones that carry the heaviest weight.

Good luck!

Best,

Mari

Answer 3

Hey there,

Alrighty! Let's go through these categorically

On Workload (questions 1-3): This is heavily influenced by the types of projects you will work on, as some engagements (i.e. DD's and short-term strategies) will have high workloads of potentially more than 80 hours a week vs other engagements (i.e. long term implementation) that could have in the region of 50-60 hours. I recommend speaking to colleagues in the Bain Canada office to find out more about the workload trends across industries and topics
On Transferring (question 4): Normally, transfers occur on either a professional / work basis or personal basis. At this level now, MBA isn't really going to be a consideration, but rather your rational for wanting to change offices, your performance, the office need in Canda and support from both India and Canada. I recommend you speak with HR on eligibility requirements and see if you can get sponsorship or assistance from senior leaders in Canada!

All the best

Answer 4

Hi Rue,

Your background and Canadian PR make an internal transfer feasible, but success depends on business needs and partner support (from both offices). Start networking early with Bain Canada leadership and express your intent through official channels. Also talk to HR and your mentors in your current office.

They can help you and facilitate the process.

To answer you questions directly:

Workload – Generally manageable outside crunch periods (55-60 hours), but varies by case, team and especially industry.
Crunch periods – Expect 10-20% of the year to be intense, though this depends on industry focus and case type. See above.
Crunch hours – Can stretch to 70-80 hours per week, especially around major deliverables.
Transfer feasibility – PR is a big advantage, but internal demand and performance drive decisions. Engage early and build sponsor relationships.

All the best with the move!

Cheers,

Florian