Business visitors

Business visitors refer to individuals who intend to visit Canada for a short time with the purpose of seeking new business opportunities, invest or further develop current business relationships. Residents of countries that require a visa to visit Canada must apply for a temporary resident visa. There is no additional or separate application form given to business visitors due to the fact that the temporary resident visa may be granted to all visitors to Canada.

Business visitors typically stay in Canada for a short duration of time from a few days to a few weeks. In order to be eligible to apply as a business visitor, applicants must demonstrate that:

• They intend to say for less than 6 months and that they are not entering Canada to work;
• The visitor’s main source of income is made outside of Canada;
• Profits from the visitor’s profession must be accrued outside of Canada;
• Documents that supplement the application;
• They meet all pre-entry requirements into Canada including: Having a valid travel document (i.e. passport); Having access to enough finances to support the stay and return home; Intend to leave Canada once the visit has ended; Posing no criminal, security or health risks to Canada and its citizens.

The following are examples of permitted cross border business activities:

• Purchasing Canadian goods or service for a the purpose of supplementing a foreign business or government;
• Taking orders for goods or services;
• Participating in meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs;
• Providing after-sales service (for supervision rather than hands-on labour);
• Receiving training from a Canadian parent company of one you are currently employed in outside of Canada;
• Training employees of a Canadian subsidized fir or foreign company;
• Receiving training from a Canadian company that has sold you tools or services…

It is stated under the North American Free Trade Agreement that citizens of the United States or Mexico are permitted to participate in other cross border activities (i.e. research, marketing and general service).

Those who are required to obtain a temporary resident visa as a business visitor will be required to provide:

• A letter of invitation provided by the potential business partner in Canada;
• Contact details for which the potential business partner can be reached at any time of the day

Applicants may also be required to provide identification cards or proof of employment.

To find out about your eligibility, please contact one of our immigration specialists.

• Phone: +1 (604) 636 – 4618
• Email: info@wbiimigration.com
• or  take a Free Online Assessment through our website, we will contact you within 24 hours upon your request!