Business visit to Canada in 4 steps

IMMdoc

Thu, 15 May 2025

If you have been invited to conferences, business meetings, conventions in Canada, but you do not know how to go as a business visitor, in this article we share information that may help you.

Step 1: Business visit or work permit?

First, you need to determine whether you need to apply for a business visitor or a work permit. If you need to stay in Canada for a few days to 6 months to attend a meeting or event, you are considered a business visitor. But you have to show how much you are suitable for it in advance. So, to show that you are coming to Canada as a business visitor, you need to prove the following:

• that you plan to stay for less than 6 months;
• that you do not plan to enter the Canadian labor market;
• That your principal place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada;
• that you have documents supporting your application;
• That you meet Canada's basic entry requirements:
• that you plan to leave Canada at the end of your trip;
• that you have enough money to cover your expenses;
• that you have a valid travel document such as a passport;
• that you do not pose a criminal, safety or health risk.

If you plan to stay or work in Canada for more than 6 months, you must apply for a work permit as a temporary worker.

What activities can you do as a business visitor?

Once you enter Canada as a visitor, you are allowed to engage in the following activities:

• by accepting orders for goods or services;
• by providing after-sales service as part of the warranty or sales contract;
• you can go to meetings, conferences, trade fairs or conventions;
• by purchasing Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government;
• you can go to meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs;
• training the employees of the Canadian branch of the foreign company;
• By being trained by the Canadian parent company you work for outside of Canada;
• by being trained by a Canadian company that sold you equipment or services;

It should also be noted that under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, a US or Mexican national may participate in other activities such as research, marketing and general services.

Step 2: Visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

If you are planning to travel to Canada, you should research whether you need a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Some people may only need a valid passport. You can find out which one is right for you by following the link and answering the questions.

• How to apply for a visa
• How to apply for an eTA

Step 3: Get your event code

You need to find out the event code by contacting your event, meeting or conference organizer.

If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada and your meeting, event or conference is registered with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), your organizer will provide you with an event code and instructions on how to apply for a visa. You must enter this code in your application form. This will help you confirm that you are an event participant.

Step 4: Find out what to bring when traveling to Canada

When you arrive at the border, you must make sure that you have the following documents:

• a valid passport or travel document;
• valid visitor visa (if applicable);
• If you need an eTA, the passport you used in your application;
• If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States (US), a valid green card and a valid passport (or equivalent document) of your country of citizenship;
• Letters of support from your parent company and a letter of recognition from the Canada Border Services Agency or a letter of invitation from the Canadian host business;
• Other documents, such as warranty or service agreements or contracts, when related to your visit;
• 24-hour contact information for a business owner in Canada;
• Proof that you have enough money to stay in Canada for as long as you need and to return to your country.