Helping global professionals conduct business in Canada without work permits.
A Business Visitor is a person travelling to Canada for business purposes:
To participate in international business activities
Without directly entering the Canadian labour market
Business visitors may enter Canada without a work permit, provided they can demonstrate that their primary place of business and main source of income are both outside Canada.
If you are employed directly by a Canadian company, you are not considered a business visitor and may require a work permit.
For example, if you are hired by a foreign company to carry out a contract for a Canadian business, your situation must be carefully assessed to determine whether you qualify as a business visitor or require work authorization.
Business visitors are different from business persons.
Under certain free trade agreements, business persons may travel to Canada specifically to work. These individuals may fall under different immigration categories.
Some individuals may also be eligible to enter Canada without first obtaining a work permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP). Examples may include:
Attending work-related events
Infrastructure-related activities
After-sales service
The Business Visitor category allows individuals to enter Canada relatively quickly to engage in meaningful business activities that do not directly compete with the Canadian labour market.
Compared to the process of obtaining a work permit, this category is often more accessible and streamlined.
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations provide a detailed definition of business visitors, including:
Basic eligibility requirements
Examples of business visitor situations
Types of permitted activities
Before applying under this category, it is essential to carefully review the scope of permissible activities and ensure that all required supporting documents are provided to support the purpose of the visit.
If you are travelling for meetings, conferences, or international business activities, our team can help determine whether you qualify as a business visitor and ensure proper documentation.
