Canada Info
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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Home Country: canada
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 Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:25 pm Post subject: BUSINESS VISA TO CANADA |
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BUSINESS VISA TO CANADA
Business Visitors fall within the Temporary Worker class of entry, although most business visits are exempt from requiring a work permit. A business visitor is a foreign national who seeks to engage in international business activities in Canada without directly entering the Canadian labour market. In other words, the primary source of remuneration for the business activities is outside Canada, and the principal place of business and actual place of accrual of profits remain predominantly outside Canada.
Visa Type: Visitor visas are called Temporary Resident Visas
Nationals from certain countries must obtain a visa prior to entering Canada; however, many business travelers may apply for entry to Canada at the port of entry, provided that the general visitor criterion is met.
U.S. citizens and other visa-exempt nationals do not need to obtain a visa prior to traveling to Canada. They may request admission as Business Visitors at the port of entry. All other nationals requiring a visa must obtain one from the Canadian Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their usual place of residence prior to traveling to Canada. These applications may be adjudicated on the same day. However, applications for certain nationals will be referred to Canada for approval and visas will not be available for 5-10 business days.
Allowable Activities as a Business Visitor
Allowable Activities For Nationals of Countries Other Than U.S. and Mexico:
Business Visitors to Canada, holding appropriate entry documentation, and otherwise meeting Business Visitor requirements may engage in the following activities for up to 90 days:
1. Buying of goods, including control of quality of goods to be purchased in Canada; familiarisation with the goods to be purchased; and/or training sessions.
2. Selling of goods, to other than the general public, including follow-up sales calls.
3. Corporate business activities, including those persons of a company, union or organisation entering for consultation, monitoring, negotiating, auditing and inspection purposes, providing such activities are within the company or organization framework.
4. Emergency services, which normally would apply in the case of natural disasters and medical emergencies, but which may equally apply to commercial accidents, which, for example, threaten life or the environment.
5. Personal-domestic service for employers who normally are resident outside Canada.
6. Giving or receiving training within a Canadian parent or subsidiary of the corporation that employs them outside Canada.
7. Attending conferences or conventions.
8. After-Sales Service provided by persons repairing and servicing, supervising installers, and setting up and testing commercial or industrial (including computer software) equipment. "Setting up" does not include hands-on installation generally performed by construction or building trades. After sales service also applies to persons seeking entry to repair or service specialised equipment, purchased or leased outside Canada, provided the service is being performed as part of the original or extended sales agreement, lease agreement, warrant, or service contract. After sales service also covers persons entering Canada to provide familiarisation or training services to prospective users or to maintenance staff of the establishment after installation of specialised equipment purchased or leased outside Canada has been complete.
9. Applying for a U.S. visa stamp. (Must check with the U.S. Consulate in Canada prior to traveling to Canada.)
Allowable Activities For U.S. and Mexican Nationals
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a U.S. or Mexican national may, provided he or she otherwise meets Business Visitor requirements, engage in the following production cycle and general service related activities for up to 90 days.
1. Research and design: Technical, scientific, and statistical researchers conducting independent research, or research for an enterprise located in the U.S.
2. Growth, manufacture and production: Purchasing and production management personnel conducting commercial transactions for an enterprise located in the U.S.
3. Marketing: Market researchers and analysts conducting independent research or analysis, or research or analysis for an enterprise located in the U.S; or, trade fair and promotional personnel attending a trade convention.
4. Sales: Sales representatives and agents taking orders or negotiating contracts for goods or services for an enterprise located in the U.S., but not delivering goods or providing services; or purchasing for an enterprise located in the U.S.
5. Distribution: Transportation operators delivering to Canada or loading and transporting back to the U.S., with no intermediate loading or delivery within Canada; or customs brokers performing brokerage duties associated with the export of goods from Canada to, or through, the U.S.
6. After Sales Service: Installers, repair and maintenance personnel, and supervisors, possessing specialised knowledge essential to the seller's contractual obligation, performing services or training workers to perform such services, pursuant to a warranty or other service contract incidental to the sale of commercial or industrial equipment or machinery, including computer software, purchased from an enterprise located outside of Canada, during the life of the warranty or service agreement.
7. General Service:
a. Professionals engaged in certain occupations and receiving no salary or other remuneration from a Canadian source;
b. Management and supervisory personnel engaging in commercial transactions for an enterprise located in the U.S.;
c. Computer specialist (computer systems analyst or computer programmer holding a bachelor's degree) employed by a U.S. entity and receiving no salary or remuneration from a Canadian source;
d. Financial services personnel (insurers, bankers or investment brokers) engaged in commercial transactions for an enterprise located in the U.S.;
e. Public relations and advertising personnel consulting with business associates, or attending or participating in conventions; or,
f. Translators or interpreters performing services as employees of an enterprise located in the U.S.
It should be noted that a Business Visitor must comply with existing immigration requirements for temporary entry, including Visitor's Visa requirements.
Maximum Period of Stay as a Business Visitor
Typically, a Business Visitor is admitted to Canada for a period of up to 6 months. Visa holders may extend their visitor status in Canada for up to an additional 6 months providing their activities in Canada are consistent with their visitor status.
Basic Requirements to Apply for a Business Visa
1. A valid passport, travel document, or identity document which guarantees readmission to the country of issuance; or an identity or travel document designated by Schedule VII of the Immigration Regulations (for example, a UN Laissez-Passer or Red Cross travel document).
2. Satisfactory evidence of sufficient funds to maintain himself or herself while in Canada and to effect departure.
3. He or she must meet with public security criteria. (Persons who have committed or may commit acts against democratic institutions, or who are likely to engage in acts of violence, or who have been convicted of any offense outside Canada, are excluded from entry as a Business Visitor.)
4. In certain circumstances, a Business Visitor must undergo a medical examination. In particular, Business Visitors who remain in Canada for more than six consecutive months, or who have resided for more than six consecutive months in the previous year in a country with a high incidence of communicable disease, or who demonstrate a serious medical problem.
5. Business Visitors may not receive compensation in Canada or engage in any activities for which compensation is accrued in Canada.
6. A Business Visitor entering Canada intending to engage in any activity, other than those for which specific exemptions exist, must be in possession of a Work Permit.
Most Commonly Requested Documents and Processing Time
Business Visitors from certain countries must obtain a visa prior to traveling to Canada. While the documentation requirements may vary, generally, an application will consist of the following:
1. Application Form
2. Valid passport
3. Company letter of support
4. Two photographs
5. Proof of temporary or permanent legal residence in the country of application, if applicable
6. Proof of funds
7. Application fee. |
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