Business visitors to Canada

Overview

Business visitors to Canada

A business visitor may conduct limited international business activities without entering the Canadian labour market. Main employment, income and place of business remain outside Canada.

Meetings are different from delivering the contract

Client meetings, conferences, site observations and some training can fit business-visitor rules. Performing production, technical, managerial or hands-on services for a Canadian company may be work.

A foreign employer and foreign payroll do not automatically make every Canadian activity exempt.

Keep the foreign business connection clear

Bring an invitation or assignment letter explaining the activity, duration, foreign employer, remuneration and Canadian contacts. Contracts can show whether the Canadian party bought a product or is receiving labour.

Business visitors normally stay days or weeks and no more than six months.

Entry documents are still required

Visa-required travellers need a temporary resident visa; others may need an eTA. The visitor must satisfy purpose, funds, departure and admissibility requirements.

A visitor record can document conditions but does not turn prohibited work into permitted activity.

Trade-agreement business people are separate

Traders, investors, professionals and intra-company transferees under trade agreements may require LMIA-exempt work permits. Do not confuse those permit categories with business visitor entry.

When activities evolve after arrival, obtain the correct authorization before beginning work.