Business Visitors to Canada

ALL ABOUT BUSINESS VISITORS

Are you interested in visiting Canada? Is your purpose of travel business? Are you interesting in investing in a Canadian company or are you invited for a business conference? If you have answered yes to any of these questions then they will be answered throughout this blog.

What is a business visitor

In Canada, a business visitor refers to an individual who comes to Canada with the intention of doing business but not entering the Canadian labour. This means that they are specifically not to partake in work during the time period of their stay. Furthermore, they could also be coming to Canada with the intention of investing in a Canadian company, looking for ways to grow their business internationally, and finally, in order to network with other business owners. Furthermore, their stay usually ranges from a couple days to a couple of weeks, however, as per the fact that they are travelling as visitors, they can stay for a period of up to six months. Business visitors are not to be confused with business people. Business people come to Canada to partake in work under free trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) .

How can I show I am a business visitor

In order to prove the fact that you are a business visitor, you could show that:

Your stay is planned to be less than a 6-month period
You don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market, (I. e. having another job in a foreign country)
Your main source of income does not come from Canada
You have a valid travel document and a valid authorization (visitor’s visa or eTA)
You have enough financial funds in order to support yourself during your trip
You do not pose a health or security risk to Canadian society

What document do I need if I am a business visitor in Canada?

If you are a business visitor, you will need a travel document that allows you to enter Canada such as a visitor’s visa. If you hold nationality from a visa exempt country (listed below), then you would only need an eTA.

Andorra
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
British citizen
British National (Overseas)
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Chile
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, must have a passport issued by Hong Kong SAR.
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel,
Italy
Japan
Republic of Korea
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Papua New Guinea
Poland
Portugal
Romania (<href=”#epassport”>electronic passport holders only)
Samoa
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United States
Vatican City State

What are the requirements for a Visitor’s Visa in Canada?

The requirements for a Visitor Visa in Canada include but are not limited to:

Having a proper travel document such as a passport
Not having a criminal record, especially with matters related to immigration
Being able to support yourself and those accompanying you financially during the entirety of your trip
Having sufficient ties to your home country so the immigration officer is convinced you shall return home

What type of activities can I take part in as a business visitor

As a business visitor, you are not allowed to physically work, nonetheless, you are allowed to go to conferences, business meetings, fairs, conventions, etc. Furthermore, you are allowed to buy Canadian goods or services in order to bring back to your home country. In addition, you are allowed to both given and be given trainings by Canadian parent companies, a Canadian branch of a company of foreign origin, or any other training taking place.

What other documents do I need to bring with me to Canada

When you arrive in Canada, you will need to prove that you are coming to Canada as a business visitor, not for leisure or to work. Documents that you can bring in order to do so include:

Your valid passport with your visitor’s visa or eTA (not optional)
A job letter showing that you work in a foreign country
A letter of invitation from the company, training or event you are attending
Any other documents relevant to your stay in Canada
Contact information of your host
Proof that you have the financial funds to afford both your stay in Canada and your return home

What are some common reasons of refusal for a visitor’s visa for a business visitor

Some common reasons for the refusal of a visitor’s visa when you are a business visitor can include the fact that the immigration officer is not convinced that you are not working in Canada, as well as maybe the length of your stay might not be convincing for a business trip. Furthermore, other reasons include the fact that you might not count with enough financial means in order to support or reason your trip, or you have a criminal record. Finally, another reason might be that you do not have enough ties to your home country in order to prove that you will return at the end of your stay in Canada.

Contact Akrami and Associates

Being a business visitor can be a stressful task. Not only are you dealing with the stress of a work trip, training, conferences and others, but you also have to obtain your authorization into Canada. Not to mention the fact that showing important ties to your home country can be difficult. Professional help from a representative is constantly recommended to ensure greater chances of success. Akrami and Associates has countless experience in all immigration matters and can surely help you in yours.

Our representatives are all professionally skilled and will do their best of their ability to help you out. You can be sure that your immigration matter will be treated wisely, and this process can become much more manageable for your own benefit. If you have any questions or personal inquiries do not hesitate to contact us at 416-477- 2545 to book a consultation.

With Akrami and Associates, there’s always a way!

Shabnam Akrami

Shabnam Akrami is the Managing Partner and Founder of Akrami & Associates. p> Prior to receiving her Paralegal Diploma with Honours, she completed her Law Degree from the UK at the University of London as well as completed a Post Graduate Diploma. In addition, she has also graduated from York University where she received both her Bachelor in Criminology and Masters in Socio-Legal Studies. She is also a Member in good standing with Law Society of Upper Canada. Prior to opening her own firm, she gained extensive experience in corporate immigration law; specializing in work permits, temporary resident permits and rehabilitation cases. She has in depth and hands on experience in all Canadian Immigration and Citizenship matters. These matters include preparation and submission of applications for permanent residence, work permits, NAFTA applications, labour market opinions, temporary resident permits, sponsorships, and business investors. Shabnam is dedicated to all her clients and committed to the successful completion of all the immigration matters in her care. With Shabnam, there is always a way!