Business Visitors

Do you need to visit Canada for Business?

Under the International Mobility Program (IMP), some employees may qualify to enter Canada without first obtaining a work permit. This includes visits for a business meeting, installation work, or after-sales services. 

The business visitor category helps facilitate entry to Canada for people who intend to engage in international business activities that do not directly compete with the Canadian labour market. One of the big advantages of the business visitor exemption is its simplicity in comparison to the requirements of obtaining a work permit. 

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations provides a broad definition of 'business visitor,' which includes the general criteria as well as examples of business visitor and the types of permissible activities.

The primary eligibility requirements to enter Canada as a business visitor include the following:  

• There must be no intent to enter the Canadian labour market (no gainful employment in Canada) 

• The activity of the foreign worker must be international in scope

• There is a presumption of a foreign employer;

  • The primary source of the worker's remuneration remains outside Canada 

  • The principal place of the worker's employer is located outside Canada      

  • The accrual of profits of the worker's employer is located outside Canada

Business visitors to Canada will require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) unless they are a citizen of the United States. 

It is essential to assess and understand the scope of permitted activities as well as prepare the appropriate supporting documentation relevant to the purpose of visit before an application under this category.