Business Visitor Letter
It’s very common these days to know about Visitor Visa to Canada for tourism, meeting family members and so on. But a lot of people are not aware of business category of visit visa to Canada. Some people ask questions about coming to Canada as a visitor. However, they do not know what is required of them to come to Canada as a Business Visitor. This blog will cover what is needed to apply for Business Visitor Visa and also we will discuss how to draft a Letter of Invitation to invite someone to visit Canada as a business visitor. It is important to know the first step to apply for Business Visitor Visa as it is the first and foremost essential element of your application process for this visa category.
Who is a Business Visitor?
First we need to know who is a Business Visitor or could be considered a Business Visitor to Canada. People who are potential investors or business partners are considered in this category as Business Visitors. If you want to come to Canada for any other reason apart from business purpose, you could apply under Visitor Visa category and explain your reasons for visiting Canada. Business Visitor Visa is an application that specifically explains the business endeavors of an individual and how it could be a benefit to Canada if the individual visits Canada and decides to spend time and money if everything works out. A Business Visitor is an individual who comes to Canada to solely engage themselves in international business activities without having to apply directly to the Canadian labour market. A good example could be an individual coming to Canada to meet up with people from companies doing business with his or her company back home is considered a business visitor. Visitors come to Canada normally to observe site visits at the same time another reason a Canadian company could invite them over to Canada is for training in product use, also because of sales or other functions relating to a business transaction. Business Visitors must demonstrate that the main source of income and place of business for them are outside Canada.
Who needs a Business Invitation Letter
When coming to a Canada as a Business Visitor it is recommended to include an Invitation Letter with your application. The invitation letter is the soul of this application. There are number of reasons why the Business Invitation Letter is important as the first step. Basically, the invitation letter explains the reasons of the visit to Canada and what Business Visitor will be doing while coming to Canada. The letter also explains how the person being invited has close ties to the person who is inviting them to Canada. The Business Invitation Letter is written by the Canadian company that is inviting the visitor to Canada. Business Visitors include:
- potential buyers
- investors
- trade show or conference visitors
- partners
- Employees or individuals coming for training at the company’s facilities
However, having a Letter of Invitation does not guarantee your approval of application to Canada. There could be various reasons for which immigration officials might reject your application as a Business Visitor to Canada. Therefore, it is important for inviters to explain genuine reasons for the visit and how it is important for the individual to visit Canada and fulfill their genuine purpose of the visit. Depending on the country the visitor is applying from, the visa office may want the letter to be notarized. Make sure the official at the company or firm who is supposed to sign the application, has signed it properly on the documents that has to be signed. Immigration officials receive such documents and they know where to look for and which documents has to be signed by who before they can give out the visa, so one has to be careful with signing the letter of invitation or any other document that the company has provide in applying for the application. Your company also has to make sure that they send two copies of the invitation letter, one for you to submit with the application and one to present with them when they enter Canada.
What to include in the Business Invitation Letter
Now we will discuss what is needed in the letter and what is expected in the application by the immigration officials to consider it to be a genuine application for business visitor visa. The things that are needed of the person who is being invited are listed below:
- name of the person
- date of birth
- the company representing the visitor and his position
- company’s relationship to the invitee and business history
- the purpose of the business trip
- the length of time of the visit
- expenses of accommodation covered by the company
- date of departing Canada
Also, there will be information needed by the inviting company, below is what is needed from the company:
- name of the company
- location of the company in Canada
- facilities that the person being invited will be visiting
- the type of business the company does (website if available)
- the company’s date of registration
- If you are criminally inadmissible to Canada then you will have to file for temporary resident permit along with criminal rehab application
Business Visitor Documents
There are required documents that are needed to file for your Business Visitor Visa. The documents have to be authentic and precise to the understanding of the immigration officials.
The documents are listed below:
- letter of invitation from Canadian company to the applicant
- letter from foreign company explaining reasons to enter Canada
- verification letter indicating visitor status
- after sale service agreement between Canadian and foreign company
- identity and travel document such as passport
- resume of the application to demonstrate skills and experience
- travel itinerary to demonstrate facilities you would be visiting
- documents to show strong ties with you home country such as property documents, financial documents, pay stubs etc
Business Visitor Visa Requirements for Visa Exempt countries?
If you are from visa exempt country, you do not need to apply for the entire process mentioned above. For the nationals of visa-exempt countries:
- Apply online for an eTA
- Have your travel document ready for the purposes of identification
Other Important Documents for Business Visitors
Below are the instructions for the ease of the process and travel for the visitors. These instructions are for both visa-exempt countries as well as for those countries that are not visa-exempt. In order to facilitate your entry into Canada, it is recommended that you have the following documents at the border:
- a passport or travel document that is valid for your entire stay
- Valid temporary resident visa, if applicable
- if you require an eTA then you must also use the same passport you used in your application
- letters of support from the Canadian host business
- 24-hour contact details of your business host in Canada
- proof of enough money for both your stay in Canada
Contact Akrami & Associates:
If you want further information about business visitor visa or if you want to apply for it and need our help, please do consider Akrami & Associates for all your legal needs. Our team of dedicated consultants and lawyers will take good care of you by presenting the best possible case for you and your loved ones.
With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!