The Legal Test for Business Visitor Entry
IRPR s. 187(1): "For the purposes of paragraph 186(a), a business visitor to Canada is a foreign national who is described in subsection (2) or who seeks to engage in international business activities in Canada without directly entering the Canadian labour market."
IRPR s. 187(3): "For the purpose of subsection (1), a foreign national seeks to engage in international business activities in Canada without directly entering the Canadian labour market only if (a) the primary source of remuneration for the business activities is outside Canada; and (b) the principal place of business and actual place of accrual of profits remain predominately outside Canada."
Who Qualifies
IRCC states: "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"
(IRCC, Business visitors attending meetings, events and conferences in Canada)
Activities That Qualify
IRCC states: "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"
(IRCC, Business visitors attending meetings, events and conferences in Canada)
Documents to Bring to the Border
IRCC states: "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, 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 to cover both your stay in Canada and your return home"
(IRCC, Business visitors attending meetings, events and conferences in Canada)
CUSMA/USMCA Professionals
For CUSMA professionals who will work in Canada, see our employer-specific work permit page.
Professions listed in CUSMA Chapter 16, Appendix 2 include the following (partial list, quoted from the official CUSMA text, Chapter 16, which sets out the complete list and the minimum education requirements):