Overview

Qualifying business visitors are allowed to take part in certain international business activities in Canada without needing a work permit.

Who can qualify as a business visitor?

• Someone who plans on staying in Canada for a short period of time (less than 6 months).
• Someone who does not intend to enter the Canadian labor market (including because their primary source of income and place of accrual profits and business are outside of Canada).
• Someone who is coming to Canada for the purpose of engaging in certain international business activities, for example: Attending business meetings, conferences, trade conventions, exhibitions, site visits, etc.
  Purchasing Canadian goods or services for a foreign company or government (or receiving training on these goods or services).
• Providing after-sales services as part of a warranty or sales agreement.
• Providing training to employees from a Canadian branch of a foreign company.

A foreign national seeking to enter Canada as a business visitor must meet additional requirements, including submitting the necessary documentation and complying with Canada’s basic entry conditions.

If a foreign national intends to work directly for a Canadian company, a work permit will be required.

Examples of job titles that may qualify for the business visitor work permit exemption:

• Film producers of films funded fully outside of Canada (employed by foreign companies). 
• Directors (and essential personnel of commercial or advertising shoots) for short-term periods
  Film and recording studio users
  Buyers (working for a foreign company). 
• Delegates/attendees (of a conference, meeting, or exhibition).
• United States government personnel (short-term only).
• Full-time employees, such as domestic servants, personal assistants, and caregivers accompanying their employer who is in Canada as a short-term temporary resident (less than 6 months).

Business visitors under free trade agreements.

In addition to the general provisions under the IRPR, there are many free trade agreements that facilitate entry to Canada for foreign nationals wishing to conduct various international business activities (CUSMA, CETA, GATS, CPTPP, etc). Specific activities are outlined, for example:

General Eligibility Requirements for Business Visitors (After-Sales Services)

In addition to the eligibility requirements mentioned above, a foreign national who intends to provide after-sales (or lease) services in Canada will have to demonstrate that those services are part of a service contract.

The service contract must be included in the original sales, lease, or rental agreement or as an extension of the original agreement.

Can a service contract be negotiated with a third party after the signature of the initial agreement?

A third party may be hired to service the equipment, only if the initial agreement allowed it. 

What are after-sales services? 

After-sales services are services offered as part of a warranty or sales agreement after a product or service has been sold or leased. More precisely, a foreign national may provide these services by:

Repairing, servicing, installing, setting up, testing, and supervising the work of other employees surrounding specialized commercial or industrial equipment (including computer software) that has been purchased or leased outside Canada.

Hands-on work (such as performed by construction or building tradespeople) is generally excluded.

Below are some of the frequently asked questions about the Canada Business Visitor’s Visa.