Whether it's for training sessions, meetings, or presentations, inviting foreign nationals to Canada can enrich business opportunities and foster international collaboration. In this blog post, I provide recommendations for Canadian companies seeking to bring business visitors to Canada, outlining the process and requirements for obtaining a business visitor visa.
Understanding the Canadian Business Visitor Program
Canada's Business Visitor Visa Program allows foreign nationals to enter the country for short-term business activities without the need for a work permit. Business visitors may engage in a variety of activities, including attending meetings, conferences, training sessions, or conducting market research. However, it's essential to ensure that the intended activities align with the criteria set forth by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Recommendations for Canadian Companies:
1. Determine Eligibility: Before inviting a business visitor to Canada, we first assess whether a person meets the eligibility criteria for the Business Visitor Visa Program. Generally, business visitors must demonstrate that they intend to engage in permissible business activities, have the means to support themselves during their stay, and intend to return to their home country at the end of their visit.
2. Prepare an Invitation Letter: As the inviting company, we prepare a formal invitation letter for the Canadian entity outlining the purpose of the visit, the duration of stay, and details of the planned business activities for the business visitor who is coming to work at your company. We include information about the visitor's role within the company, the nature of the meetings or training sessions, and any relevant itinerary or schedule.
3. Provide Supporting Documentation: Along with the invitation letter, we provide any supporting documentation that may strengthen the business visitor's application, such as conference agendas, meeting schedules, or training program outlines. Clear documentation helps demonstrate the legitimacy and necessity of the visit to immigration authorities. We also provide information showing that the remuneration is coming from a foreign source, rather than the Canadian company.
Bringing business visitors to Canada can open doors to new opportunities and foster international partnerships. By following our recommendations outlined above and adhering to immigration regulations, you can ensure smooth entry for business visitors and maximize the benefits of their visit.
Some visitors will need a TRV to Canada, and others will require an ETA, regardless of the type of document needed, we prepare a thorough document package to avoid refusals at the visa office or at the border for those entering as business visitors. If you have any questions or need further clarification, don't hesitate to reach out. book an online consultation with us here.
Our Services
Calver Immigration Consulting Inc. is rated Canada's number one boutique immigration consultancy. We serve clients across Canada and internationally. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law serving those in Canada and abroad.
We can assist with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
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