How to visit Canada on business?

If you want to visit Canada on business, you’ll need to understand what a business visitor is, what you can do as a business visitor, and what you’ll need to do and bring to enter Canada.

What is a business visitor

You’re a business visitor if you:

come to take part in international business activities without being part of the Canadian labour market

are visiting Canada temporarily to

look for ways to grow your business

invest

advance your business relationships

Business visitors usually stay in Canada for a few days or a few weeks, but are able to stay for up to 6 months.

How to show you’re a business visitor To qualify as a business visitor to Canada,

you must show that:

you plan to stay for less than 6 months

you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market

your main place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada

you have documents that support your application

you meet Canada’s basic entry requirements, because 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

are not a criminal, security or health risk to Canadians

Note: If you plan to stay for more than 6 months, or plan to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to apply for a work permit.

Types of activities

Activities you may conduct as a business visitor include:

buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government

taking orders for goods or services

going to meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs

giving after-sales service as part of a warranty or sales agreement

being trained by a Canadian parent company that you work for outside Canada

training employees of a Canadian branch of a foreign company

being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services

Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, a U.S. or Mexican national may also take part in other activities, such as research, marketing and general services. For more information, see the Global Affairs Canada website.

What you need to enter Canada

If you’re a business visitor, you need either a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to come to Canada. You may also need to provide your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) if applying for a visitor visa.

Find out if you need an eTA or a visitor visa

Business visitors and business people are not the same. Business people come to do work in Canada under a free trade agreement. Learn more about business people.

What to bring with you to Canada

Make sure that you have the following documents when you arrive at the border (don’t pack them in your suitcase):

a passport or travel document that is valid for your entire stay

a valid visitor visa, if applicable

if you need an eTA, you must travel using the same passport you used in your application

letters of support from your parent company and a letter of invitation from the Canadian host business or a Letter of Recognition from the Canada Border Services Agency

other documents such as warranty or service agreements, or contracts, if relevant to your visit

24-hour contact details of your business host in Canada

proof that you have enough money for both your stay in Canada and your return home