Canada is open for business

At A-Canada, we understand the global nature of business and talent.  We help our business clients obtain business visitor visas and/or business work visas so that the deals are made and the work is done.

Business Visitors to Canada

Definition of a Business Visitor

​You:

• come to take part in international business activities without being part of the Canadian labour market,
• are visiting Canada temporarily (less than 6 months) to:
  • look for ways to grow your business
  • invest
  • advance your business relationships

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 (managing, not doing hands-on labour)
• 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

Depending on the scope of any free trade agreement between Canada and your country of citizenship, you may also be able to take part in other activities, such as research, marketing and general services.  This is of special interest to U.S. and Mexican citizens.

Requirements for entering Canada as a business visitor

Depending on your country of citizenship, you need either a Business Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization to enter Canada on business barring the following exceptions:

• U.S. citizens only require their U.S. passport to enter Canada as a business visitor;
• U.S. permanent residents usually only require the appropriate travel documents if they're entering Canada via foot, car, train, bus, or boat.

​You also need to demonstrate that you meet the normal requirements of a business visitor to Canada.

Business Workers coming to Canada

Many business workers come to Canada after their employer has gone through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) which demonstrates that there is no available Canadian or permanent resident who is qualified for the job.  The LMIA process usually takes a minimum of 3 months.  Once the employer has received an approved LMIA, they can apply for a temporary work permit for the employee in question.

There are other categories of Canadian work permits that do not necessarily require a Labour Market Impact Assessment and can be faster to obtain.  We've listed the most common ones that are not very country-specific and have a work permit term of at least 1 year.

Intra-company transferees

​For workers in an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity

Entrepreneurs

For workers who are nominated by a business that has been pre-approved to open a Canadian business by a province

Global Talent Stream new hires

For specialized skill or STEM-related workers whose employers have an approved Labour Market Benefits Plan

Most business workers coming to Canada for work require a work permit unless they fall under a narrow exception.  Contact us to find out how your company can bring foreign workers to Canada.

Narrow exceptions to Canadian work permit requirements

• athletes or coaches of a foreign team competing in Canada;
• accredited agents or advisors working on an aviation investigation under the appropriate Canadian Act;
• civil aviation inspectors working during international flights;
• members of the clergy;
• truck drivers, bus drivers, shipping / airline workers on foreign-owned and registered vehicles shipping cargo or passengers internationally;
• emergency service providers during environmental disasters;
• professor or academic experts working as an examiner and evaluator;
• expert witnesses or investigators providing evidence before a judicial or quasi-judicial body;
• qualifying foreign representatives;
• health care students under specific conditions;
• judges, referees, or similar official for a cultural event;
• members of foreign armed forces under the Visiting Forces Act;
• news reporters, film or media crew under certain circumstances;
• qualifying workers on an advertising shoot;
• performing artists under certain circumstances;
• public speakers for an event that does not exceed five days;
• certain high-skilled workers who are working upto 15 consecutive days once every six months or upto 30 consecutive days once every year;
• researchers at public qualifying institutions working for upto 120 consecutive days, for a maximum of once every 12 months;
• workers under non-trade agreements.