A Business Visitor Visa in Canada is a temporary travel permit that allows foreign nationals to enter Canada for the purpose of engaging in international business activities without directly entering the Canadian labor market.

Key points about the Business Visitor Visa in Canada

  • It is designed for individuals planning to visit Canada for business-related purposes such as attending conferences, meetings, trade shows, or negotiating contracts, but not for seeking employment in Canada.
  • Business visitors cannot directly enter the Canadian workforce or labor market. They must remain employed and paid by a company outside of Canada.
  • Business activities permitted include:
    • Attending business meetings, conferences
    • Exploring investment opportunities
    • Negotiating contracts
    • Purchasing Canadian goods or services for a foreign business
    • Receiving training related to employment outside of Canada
  • The duration of stay is typically a few days to a few weeks but can be up to 6 months maximum.
  • Business visitors follow the normal visitor visa application process, indicating their purpose is for international business activities. Visa-exempt nationals may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if arriving by air.
  • Supporting documents like a letter from the foreign employer, an invitation from the Canadian host company, and proof that the business is located outside Canada may be required.
  • Family members can accompany the business visitor but must apply separately for their visitor visas.

What sets apart the Business Visa from the IMP Work Permit?

The key distinction between a Business Visitor Visa and an Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP) in Canada is:

1. Business Visitr Visa

  • Allows foreign nationals to enter Canada for international business activities like attending meetings, and conferences, exploring investment opportunities, etc.
  • Does not permit employment or direct entry into the Canadian labor market.
  • The primary source of remuneration and profits must remain outside Canada.
  • Maximum duration is typically up to 6 months.

2. IMP Wrk Permit (e.g. ICT r C12 permit)

  • Allows multinational companies to temporarily transfer qualified employees from their foreign operations to a Canadian parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate.
  • Permits employment and direct entry into the Canadian labor market for the transferred employee.
  • The employee must have been continuously employed by the foreign company for at least 1 year prior.
  • The employee must be transferred to a similar executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge role.
  • Work permit is LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) exempt.
  • Initial duration is typically 1 year, with potential extensions up to 5-7 years maximum.

So in summary, a Business Visitor Visa facilitates short-term business travel without employment, while an IMP Work Permit allows temporary intra-company transfer of employees to work in Canada under specific conditions and is LMIA exempt.

Business Visitor & Regular Visitor?

The key distinctions between a Business Visitor and a Regular Visitor to Canada are:

Business Visitor

  • Enters Canada for international business activities like attending meetings, and conferences, exploring investments, negotiating contracts, etc.
  • Cannot directly enter the Canadian labor market or seek employment in Canada.
  • Must remain employed and paid by a company outside of Canada.
  • The main source of income and profits must be from outside Canada.
  • Can stay for up to 6 months maximum.
  • May need to provide supporting documents like a letter from a foreign employer, an invitation from a Canadian host, or proof of business outside Canada.

Regular Visitor

  • Enters Canada for personal reasons like tourism, visiting friends/family, medical treatment, etc.
  • Cannot work or study in Canada unless specifically authorized.
  • No requirements around employment or income sources outside Canada.
  • Duration of stay is typically 6 months or less, depending on the circumstances.
  • May need to demonstrate ties to their home country and intent to leave Canada at the end of the visit.

So in essence, a Business Visitor is restricted to international business activities without entering the Canadian job market, while a Regular Visitor comes for personal reasons unrelated to employment or work in Canada.

The key distinguishing factors are the purpose of the visit (business activities vs personal reasons) and the requirement for Business Visitors to maintain employment and income sources outside of Canada without directly entering the Canadian labor force.

Who is Considered a Business Visitor in Canada?

Based on the information provided in the search results, a Business Visitor in Canada refers to a foreign national who comes to Canada for international business activities without directly entering the Canadian labor market. The key points about who qualifies as a Business Visitor are:

  • They come to Canada for international business purposes like attending meetings, and conferences, exploring investments, negotiating contracts, observing site visits, receiving training related to employment outside Canada, etc.
  • They do not seek employment in Canada or work for a Canadian company. Their main source of income and place of business remains outside Canada.
  • They remain employed and paid by a company outside of Canada. Their employer’s profits must also come from outside Canada.
  • Examples include foreign employees coming to meet with companies doing business with their country, inspecting the quality of products purchased from a Canadian company, providing training on specialized equipment sold outside Canada, attending board meetings, etc.
  • They do not require a work permit but may need a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) depending on their country of citizenship.
  • They may need to provide supporting documents like a letter from their foreign employer, an invitation from the Canadian host company, and proof that their business is located outside Canada.
  • Their stay is typically short-term, up to 6 months maximum.

So in essence, a Business Visitor is a foreign national temporarily entering Canada for specific international business purposes while maintaining employment and income sources outside of Canada, without directly entering the Canadian labor market.

How to Apply for a Business Visitor Visa to Canada?

Based on the information provided in the search results, a Business Visitor in Canada refers to a foreign national who comes to Canada for international business activities without directly entering the Canadian labor market. The key points about who qualifies as a Business Visitor are:

  • They come to Canada for international business purposes like attending meetings, and conferences, exploring investments, negotiating contracts, observing site visits, receiving training related to employment outside Canada, etc.
  • They do not seek employment in Canada or work for a Canadian company. Their main source of income and place of business remains outside Canada.
  • They remain employed and paid by a company outside of Canada. Their employer’s profits must also come from outside Canada.
  • Examples include foreign employees coming to meet with companies doing business with their country, inspecting the quality of products purchased from a Canadian company, providing training on specialized equipment sold outside Canada, attending board meetings, etc.
  • They do not require a work permit but may need a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) depending on their country of citizenship.
  • They may need to provide supporting documents like a letter from their foreign employer, an invitation from the Canadian host company, and proof that their business is located outside Canada.
  • Their stay is typically short-term, up to 6 months maximum.

So in essence, a Business Visitor is a foreign national temporarily entering Canada for specific international business purposes while maintaining employment and income sources outside of Canada, without directly entering the Canadian labor market.

Need to know more about Business Visitor Visa?

Get in Touch






    Application Fees for a Business Visitor Visa to Canada

    • The standard visitor visa application fee is CAD 100 per person.
    • If biometrics (fingerprints and photos) are required, there is an additional biometrics fee of CAD 85 per person. Biometrics are typically required for nationals of certain countries.
    • There may be additional fees for services like passport processing, around CAD 45 per passport.
    • All accompanying family members, including spouses and children, must submit separate applications and pay the fees individually.
    • For a family of 5 or more applying together, the total maximum biometrics fee is capped at CAD 170.
    • For groups of 3 or more performing artists and staff applying together, the maximum biometrics fee is CAD 255.
    • The fees do not include other costs like transportation to a Visa Application Centre to give biometrics.

    Eligibility Requirements for a Business Visitor Visa to Canada

    Based on the information provided in the search results, the key eligibility requirements for a Business Visitor Visa to Canada are:

    1. Purpose of Visit
    • You must be coming to Canada for international business activities like attending meetings, conferences, trade shows, exploring investments, negotiating contracts, etc.
    • You cannot directly enter the Canadian labor market or seek employment in Canada.
    1. Employment and Income
    • You must remain employed and paid by a company/employer outside of Canada.
    • Your main source of income and profits must come from outside Canada.
    1. Duration of Stay
    • Your stay must be temporary, typically a few days to a few weeks, up to a maximum of 6 months.
    1. Supporting Documents
    • You may need to provide a letter from your foreign employer stating the purpose and duration of your business trip.
    • An invitation letter from the Canadian company/organization you will be visiting.
    • Proof of ties to your home country like job, family, and property ownership to show you will leave Canada after the visit.
    • Proof of sufficient funds for your stay in Canada.
    1. Other Requirements
    • Have a valid travel document (passport).
    • Be in good health.
    • Convince the immigration officer you meet the visitor criteria and will leave at the end of your authorized stay.

    Letter of Invitation Requirements for Business Visitors to Canada

    Based on the information provided in the search results, here are the key requirements for a letter of invitation when inviting business visitors to Canada:

    1. Issued by the Canadian Host Company
    • The letter must be issued by the Canadian company/organization hosting the business visitor on their official letterhead.
    • It should be signed by an authorized representative of the company.
    1. Details about the Business Visitor
    • Full name of the business visitor being invited
    • Date of birth (if known)
    • The company they represent and their position/job title
    • Contact details (work and home address, telephone numbers)
    • Relationship between the visitor and the Canadian host company
    1. Purpose and Details of the Visit
    • Clearly state the purpose of the business visit (e.g. meetings, conferences, training, contract negotiations, etc.)
    • Provide context if it is part of a longer-term project/business relationship
    • Specify the intended length of stay in Canada and proposed dates
    1. Arrangements by the Host
    • Details on accommodation and living expenses covered by the host company
    • Date the visitor intends to depart Canada (if known)
    1. Details about the Canadian Host
    • The full legal name of the Canadian company
    • Head office and facility address to be visited
    • Company website (if available)
    • Name, job title, and contact details of the representative issuing the invitation

    What a Business Visitor Needs to Enter Canada

    1. Legitimate Business Purpose
    • The visitor must be coming to Canada for legitimate international business activities like attending meetings, conferences, trade shows, exploring investments, negotiating contracts, etc.
    • They cannot directly enter the Canadian labor market or seek employment in Canada.
    1. Temporary Stay
    • The intended stay must be temporary, typically a few days to a few weeks, up to a maximum of 6 months.
    1. Proof of Employment and Income Outside Canada
    • The visitor must remain employed and paid by a company outside of Canada.
    • Their main source of income and profits must come from outside Canada.
    1. Supporting Documents
    • A valid travel document (passport)
    • Letter from foreign employer stating purpose and duration of business trip
    • Invitation letter from the Canadian host company/organization 2
    • Proof of ties to home country (job, family, property) to show intent to leave Canada
    • Proof of sufficient funds for the stay
    1. Entry Requirements
    • Meet basic visitor criteria like being in good health, having no criminal convictions, etc.
    • Convince the immigration officer of legitimate business purposes and intent to leave after the visit.
    1. Visa/Travel Authorization
    • Citizens of visa-required countries need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
    • Citizens of visa-exempt countries may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if arriving by air
    Wants to know more on Business Visitor Visa?

    Other Business Immigration

    Start-up Visa

    Self-Employed Programs

    Quebec Investor Programs

    Quebec Investor Program – QIIP

    Provincial Entrepreneur Programs

    IMP Work Permit

    Canada Conference Visa

    Buy a Franchise Business Canada

    Buy a Business and Move to Canada

    British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration (BC PNP)