Business Visitors | Macropus Immigration & Visa Services

Business Visitors – Work without a Work Permit

A business visitor is someone who comes to Canada:

for international business activities
without directly entering the Canadian labour market

Canada welcomes individuals and companies to invest in the Canadian market to sustain innovation and economic growth, especially in small, rural and northern communities across the country. It is also a favorite destination of Business Entrepreneurs to explore. Individuals wishing to invest in and may be able to come as a business visitor.

Examples of this include someone who comes to Canada:

to meet people from companies doing business with their country
to observe site visits
because a Canadian company invited them for training in:
product use
sales
other business transaction functions

They don’t need a work permit to come to Canada.

Business visitors must prove that their main source of income and their main place of business are outside Canada.

You aren’t considered a business visitor and may need to get a work permit if you’re doing work for a Canadian company. For example, you’re an employee sent by a foreign company to fulfill a contract with a Canadian company.

Business visitors and business people are not the same. Business people come to do work in Canada under a free trade agreement.

General criteria

There must be no intent to enter the Canadian labour market (i.e., no gainful employment in Canada).
The activity of the foreign worker must be international in scope (i.e., necessary business activities that are done across the border as part of the after-sales service agreement).
There is the presumption of a foreign employer, as
- the worker is being paid from the main headquarters located outside of Canada;
- the worker’s principal place of employment remains to be outside of Canada
- the employer’s main investments and profits are domiciles outside of Canada

After-sales and lease services

This is a type of work activity engaged in repairs and services, including installations and testing of commercial or industrial equipment such as manufacturing machinery or computer.
Setting up does not include hands-on installation generally performed by construction or building trades (electricians, pipe fitters, etc.).
This provision also applies to individuals seeking entry to repair or service specialized equipment purchased or leased outside Canada, provided the service is being performed as part of the original or extended sales agreement, lease/rental agreement, warranty or service contract.

Warranty or service agreement

Highly industrialized manufacturing companies using heavy equipment and machinery require regular maintenance and repair of their equipment. Thus, negotiations of their warranty and services are a vital part of their purchases ensuring that there are no interruptions in their production which could create company loses. Individuals from contracted companies providing these services are exempt from obtaining work permits.

Foreign workers who are not considered business visitors (NAFTA professionals and other service providers)

Although the United States President has made changes to this agreement, the principle of
The agreement is still somewhat being followed until a formal Agreement is in place. Ideally, when a foreign company holds a contract with a Canadian company and there is an exchange of business services involve, the individuals performing the tasks do not require work permits. However, there are limitations to this agreement depending upon whether or not those individuals are being paid by the Canadian company.

We will be providing you updated information about the new agreement which involves the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Get started exploring your options by using our FREE ASSESSMENT service, and we will be pleased to discuss immigration options with you.