Thousands of foreign entrepreneurs visit Canada each year to do business with Canadian citizens and enterprises. A business visitor must get a Business Visitor Visa to do so. This visa enables eligible applicants to look into innovative business prospects across Canada while also immersing themselves in the Canadian way of life.
What classifies you as a business visitor?
You may classify as a business visitor if you intend to visit Canada to explore new business prospects, investing, or expanding on established business relationships.
Visitor on business vs. work permit
A business visitor visa is distinct from a work permit in Canada. As a business traveler, you are not permitted to enter the Canadian workforce. Business visitor visas are meant to permit brief stays for business purposes such as attending industry conferences, fieldwork, or training. If your firm transfers you to Canada or hired by a Canadian employer, you will be required to obtain a work permit. You may enter Canada as a visitor to look for work in Canada.
Nonetheless, without a work permit, you cannot officially work in Canada. If you accept an offer of employment from a Canadian company while in the country on a guest visa, you must first apply for a work permit. Your application must be reviewed by the Canadian visa office authorized for the country wherein you reside or are a citizen. As a result, you may be needed to depart Canada while your application is being evaluated. You may, however, remain in Canada legally for as long as your visiting visa is valid.
Visas for business visitors are typically required for the following activities:
- Participating in a meeting for product and sales training
- Attendance at a business meeting or conference, as well as site visits
- Purchasing products in Canada on behalf of a foreign corporation
- Dealing with a post-sale contract
- Other activities associated with general business visits
How to apply for a Canadian business visitor visa?
You must be aware that if you are from a country that demands a visa to enter Canada, you must apply for a provisional residence visa in the same manner as any other temporary visitor. There is no particular business visitor application. All tourists, including those in Canada on business, are covered by the temporary residence visa.
Business visitors might well be asked to show proof of their activity to the port of entry’s border services officer. Certain business visitors may be free from visa requirements if they originate from visa-exempt nations. If the traveler arrives in Canada via air, they may still require an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Business visitors may bring family members to Canada, but each member of the family must apply individually for a visiting visa.
Requirements for using a business visa to enter Canada
Before you can enter Canada on a business visitor visa, you should fulfill the following:
- You have documentation to substantiate your application.
- You have no felony convictions or health-related inadmissibility.
- Demonstrate that your visit is only temporary.
- You are not planning to enter the Canadian labour market.
- You satisfy Canada’s admission criteria simply by possessing a valid travel document, such as a passport.
- Having sufficient funds to cover your stay and return home.
- You are not a threat to Canadians’ safety, security, or health.
- Demonstrate that your primary income stream and enterprises are located outside of Canada.
If you are refused admission to Canada due to a criminal record or a health-related inadmissibility issue, you may enter using the ‘Temporary Resident Permit’ (TRP).
What should you bring to Canada?
Ensure that you have the necessary documentation when you reach the border:
- Evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay. The amount of money you’ll need varies according to factors such as the length of your visit and whether you’ll be staying in a hotel or with friends or family members.
- A travel document that is legitimate, such as a passport.
- A valid travel visa.
- COVID-19 vaccination proof.
- Letters of endorsement from an immigration officer stating that you have connections to your native country through a job, a home, financial assets, or family.
- Contact information for your company host in Canada.