How to get a Business Visitor Visa to Canada

Every year, thousands of international business people come to Canada temporarily in search of new and exciting business opportunities, for investment purposes or to advance existing business interests and relationships. Under the Business Visitor Visa, foreigners can apply to come and visit Canada to do business with world-class Canadian companies.

Under the Business Visitor visa, foreigners who seek to engage in international business activities in Canada without directly entering the Canadian labour market can apply to come and visit Canada for a short time. It allows eligible applicants to explore dynamic business opportunities, participate in trade conferences, meet with Canadian counter-parts in Canada as well as experience Canadian culture and hospitality. If applicants wish to come to Canada to travel, visit attractions, enjoy leisure activities and explore business options, the Business Visitor visa is best suited for them.

Depending of the nature of the business, a business visitor might come to Canada for various kinds of businesses or business activities connected to a business.

Who can apply for a Business Visitor Visa to Canada?

A Business Visitor from designated visa exempt countries requires a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Business visitors can enter Canada to conduct business or trade without the need of work permit. Although this visa does not entitle applicants to work in Canada, it does offer them the chance to experience Canada for themselves. A foreign workers who desires to enter Canada as business visitor must satisfy the following conditions:

• They must have no intent to enter the Canadian labour market
• When in Canada, they must not be gainfully employed in Canada
• Their activity must be international in scope
• Their primary source of employment is outside Canada
• The accrual of profits remains outside Canada

What can be my work profile as a Business Visitor to Canada?

Depending of the nature of the business, a business visitor might come to Canada for various kinds of businesses or business activities connected to a business. They are:

• Employees of foreign companies contracting Canadian companies
• After-sales service providers
• Trainers and trainees, including intra-company training
• Attendees of board of director’s meetings
• Employees of short-term temporary residents (such as caregivers or personal assistants)

What are the requirements for a Business Visitor Visa to Canada?

Business Visitors must also be prepared to document their intended business activities in Canada. Their main place of business and source of income must remain outside of Canada with all profits generally accruing outside Canada. Applicants from designated countries require a Temporary Resident visa (TRV) prior to their arrival to Canada. Applicants not from a visa-exempt country who visits Canada for business can obtain a visa under this category. In addition, all applicants must possess a valid passport, respect the terms of their entry to Canada, and ensure that they are criminally and medically admissible to enter Canada.

In addition to the basic requirements that we just discussed hereinabove, a foreign national seeking business visitor visa, an applicant for a business has to show that the he satisfies the following requirements:

• the applicants plan to stay is less than 6 months
• the applicant does not plan to enter the Canadian labour market
• the main place of business, and source of income and profits is outside Canada
• the applicant has documents that support the application
• the applicant meets Canada’s basic entry requirements

What documents are required for a Business Visitor Visa to Canada?

Documents are required as proof to substantiate that an applicant satisfies all the requirements discussed hereinabove. To achieve that the following documents are required:

1. A valid passport or travel document that will be valid until the end of your stay
2. If applicable, a temporary resident visa
3. Letters of support from your parent company and a letter of invitation from the Canadian host business OR a Letter of Recognition from CBSA (applies to International Events and Convention Services Program)
4. A copy of any original contracts, original service/sales agreements, warranty etc. to support the visit
5. 24 hour contact details of your business host in Canada
6. Proof that you have enough money for both your stay in Canada and your return home

Do I need a Letter of invitation as a Business Visitor to Canada?

An invitation letter is usually needed if you are going to Canada to visit a friend, family member or for a conference or Business Meeting. All you need to do is ask your organisers of the conference to send you an invitation letter. It is advisable that you ask them to mail the letter to you by regular mail, then you can place the letter with the stamped envelope in your application package. The stamped envelope is important because it shows some form of authenticity. However, before mailing out the letter, ask the company to scan the signed letter and send a copy to you via email. You will use this copy if you do not receive the mailed letter on time. In addition to attaching a copy of a Letter of Invitation to the application, a foreign worker should have 2 copies to be provided at the port of entry. The letter should spell out:

• Who the applicant is (full legal name), applicant’s date of birth, applicant’s citizenship
• the company they work for, and their position at the company including any specialized knowledge statement
• Where they are planning to go during their visit and where they are visiting from
• Why they are on this visit, specifically what they will be doing at the host company site
• How long they intend to remain in Canada
• The answers to the above questions should satisfy why the applicant need to be physically present in Canada

Can I be inadmissible to Canada?

Like all temporary residents, business visitors will be assessed for criminal and medical admissibility to Canada. It is not uncommon for individuals, especially those from Temporary Resident Visa exempt countries like the United States, to be unaware that they are inadmissible to Canada until arriving at the border.

To mitigate this, applicants who have received a criminal conviction, even for a minor offense, should find out whether this offense will render them inadmissible to Canada. The same goes for individuals who have past or present medical conditions.

Oftentimes, inadmissibility can be resolved before an individual travels to Canada. However, the process can take several weeks and therefore steps should ideally be taken well in advance of any business trips to the country.

What am I entitled to as a business Visitor?

When admitted to Canada as a Business Visitor, you are free to travel anywhere throughout Canada and visit family, friends to visit and experience Canada's many attractions.

During your stay in Canada, as a business visitor you can carry out all permissible activities is propagation of your business. You can take part in conferences, trade shows, meet with prospective clients, take orders, seek out lucrative business opportunities and explore their options for extending their stay in Canada. In addition, you can meet with prospective employers or recruiters and seek out employment opportunities, explore schools and educational institutions to pursue further studies and explore options for extending their stay in Canada.

What Akrami and Associates can do for you!!

While the procedures for applying for a Canadian business visitor visa may seem uncomplicated. For business visa applications, there is actually a higher risk of refusal in cases where the application is not properly prepared and all requirements are not properly shown to have been. The Canadian immigration standards are very high. We find this is the number one reason why people are denied entry is due to not enough knowledge of the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of immigration applications. The documentation and processes involved in successfully obtaining a business visitor visa can be complex and usually require legal expertise. The last thing you want to have happen on a very important business commitment that you are not able to attend due to insufficient paperwork. Whether you have a question, or are looking to book a consultation in person or over the phone with one of our representatives, feel free to give us a call today at 416-477-2545 or toll free at 1-877-820-7121.

If you are look forward to file the application for renewal on your own, we can still help you with our Do It Yourself Immigration Kit which you can purchase from us. The kit details the process for you. We do not leave you at that. If you buy the Do It Yourself Kit bundle, you get consultation and final review of your application by one of our representatives. We are there to help you throughout.

With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!!