Doing business in Canada

Information for business visitors

Thousands of international business people come to Canada to do business with Canadian companies every year. Citizenship and Immigration Canada sets forward certain requirements a business person must meet to be allowed into Canada, and the following information will help you avoid problems that can affect your plans concerning doing business in Canada.

You may qualify as a business visitor if you are a foreign national who plans to visit Canada temporarily to look for new business opportunities, to invest or to advance existing business relationships.

If you are from a country that requires a visa to visit Canada, you must apply for a temporary resident visa just like any other temporary visitor to Canada (see the section on Visas to Canada in the menu of Travelling around Canada). There is no separate application for business visitors as the temporary resident visa covers all visitors, including those in Canada on business.

Business visitors usually stay in Canada for a few days or a few weeks. To be considered a business visitor you must show that:

• you intend to stay for less than six months and do not plan to enter the Canadian labour market
• your main place of business and source of income is located outside Canada
• profits from your business will accrue outside Canada
• you can provide documents that support your application and
• you meet Canada’s basic entry requirements. You:
  • have a valid travel document, such as a passport
  • have enough money for your stay and to return home
  • plan to leave Canada at the end of your visit and
  • do not pose criminal, security or health risks to Canadians.

Cross-border business can include activities like:

• buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government
• taking orders for goods or services
• attending meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs
• providing after-sales service (mainly supervision, not hands-on labour)
• being trained by a Canadian parent company you work for outside Canada
• training employees of a Canadian subsidiary of a foreign company or
• being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement, a U.S. or Mexican national may also take part in other activities, such as research, marketing and general service. For detailed information, see the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/nafta-alena/cross.aspx?lang=en&menu_id=40&menu=.

If you plan to stay longer than six months or intend to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to apply for a work permit. See the section Work in Canada in the menu on the left.

If you need a temporary resident visa, as a business visitor, you must submit certain documents when applying:

• a letter of invitation from your potential business partner in Canada and
• 24-hour contact details for that person.

You may also need:

• identification cards or
• proof of employment.

When you arrive in Canada, you will be greeted by an officer of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) who will ask you the purpose of your visit and confirm that you meet the requirements for admission to Canada. You should have all relevant documents on hand to present to the officer when you arrive. These documents include, but are not limited to:

• a valid passport or travel document that will be valid until the end of your stay
• if applicable, a temporary resident visa
• letters of support from your parent company and a letter of invitation from the Canadian host business
• a copy of any contracts or bills to support your visit
• 24-hour contact details of your business host in Canada and
• proof that you have enough money for both your stay in Canada and your return home.

You will not be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information, or if you do not satisfy the officer that you are eligible for entry into Canada. You will also have to satisfy the officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay in Canada.

Who can start a business in Canada

The Business Immigration Program seeks to attract experienced business people to Canada who will support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy. As Citizenship and Immigration Canada informs, business immigrants are expected to make a C$400,000 investment or to own and manage businesses in Canada.

Canada has three classes of business immigrants:

• investors
• entrepreneurs and
• self-employed persons.

The Immigrant Investor Program seeks to attract experienced business people to invest C$400,000 into Canada’s economy. Investors must:

• show that they have business experience
• have a minimum net worth of C$800,000 that was obtained legally and
• make a C$400,000 investment.

Your investment is managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and is guaranteed by the Canadian provinces that use it to create jobs and help their economies grow. CIC will return your C$400,000 investment, without interest, about five years and two months after payment.

The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced business persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must:

• show that they have business experience
• have a minimum net worth of C$300,000 that was obtained legally and
• respect the conditions for entrepreneurs after they arrive in Canada. 

The Self-Employed Persons Program seeks to attract applicants who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have either:

• relevant experience that will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada or
• experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada. 

Each application can be made for only one class and cannot be changed once the application is submitted. The criteria you must meet to qualify are different for each class.

Further information for business people visiting Canada can be obtained on Citizenship and Immigration Canada website http://www.cic.gc.ca/.