Visitor Visas

Tourist or Business Visas

Tourist Visas

When a foreigner wants to visit Canada as a tourist, they must be granted temporary resident status upon arriving in Canada. Depending on the country of citizenship, a person may first have to obtain a temporary resident visa before being allowed to travel. In such cases applications to Canadian consulates are made for either single entry or multiple-entry visas. These visas, despite validity dates of sometimes twelve months or more, only grant legal status in Canada for six months at a time. Extensions are possible to obtain from within Canada as long as the visa holder does not exit Canada.

Individuals with passports from visa exempt countries are not required to obtain consular approval before arriving in Canada. Their entry to Canada will be determined at the border by a Canadian Border Services Agency officer.

For a complete list of passport holders from countries requiring a visa to enter Canada, click here. Please note the Goverment of Canada changes and updates this list from time to time.

Business Visitor Visas

Business visitor visas allow foreigners to work in Canada without a work permit, subject to certain limiting conditions. In order to qualify as a business visitor, individuals must demonstrate that they are entering Canada to pursue business activities that fall outside of the Canadian labour market. The principal place of business must remain outside of Canada and their primary source of remuneration must also originate from outside Canada. Business visitors must maintain a foreign residence and be paid by an entity outside Canada.

The business visitor category is wide in scope, but not every activity qualifies for a business visitor visa. Qualifying examples include entering Canada to perform after-sales service contracts, general service contracts, activities related to research and design, growth, manufacture and production, marketing, sales, and distribution. Trainers, Intra-company training, and installation activities are also covered.

It is important to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer to determine if the scope of intended business activities falls within the parameters of a business visitor visa or whether a work permit is in fact required.

Share

Email

Print

Twitter Facebook MySpace

Delicous Stumble Digg

More Destinations...