Business visitors: Who can apply

You may qualify as a business visitor if you are a foreign national who plans to visit Canada temporarily to look for new business opportunities, to invest or to advance existing business relationships.

If you are from a country that requires a visa to visit Canada, you must apply for a temporary resident visa just like any other temporary visitor to Canada. There is no separate application for business visitors. The temporary resident visa covers all visitors, including those in Canada on business.

Business visitors usually stay in Canada for a few days or a few weeks. To be considered a business visitor you must show that:

• you intend to stay for less than six months and do not plan to enter the Canadian labour market
• your main place of business and source of income is located outside Canada
• profits from your business will accrue outside Canada
• you can provide documents that support your application and
• you meet Canada’s basic entry requirements. You:
  • have a valid travel document, such as a passport
  • have enough money for your stay and to return home
  • plan to leave Canada at the end of your visit and
  • do not pose criminal, security or health risks to Canadians.

Cross-border business can include activities like:

• buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government
• taking orders for goods or services
• attending meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs
• providing after-sales service (mainly supervision, not hands-on labour)
• being trained by a Canadian parent company you work for outside Canada
• training employees of a Canadian subsidiary of a foreign company or
• being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement, a U.S. or Mexican national may also take part in other activities, such as research, marketing and general service. For detailed information, see the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

If you plan to stay longer than six months or intend to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to apply for a work permit. See Working temporarily in Canada in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

If you need a temporary resident visa, as a business visitor, you must submit certain documents when applying:

• a letter of invitation from your potential business partner in Canada and
• 24-hour contact details for that person.