A stable economy and high quality of life make the idea of getting a Canada business visa appealing to many. Workers benefit from the familiarity of the US marketplace while receiving the country’s fruitful employee entitlements like health care and pension fund. Business owners are also attracted to Canada for expanding internationally because of its highly skilled workforce and low taxes.
If these benefits intrigue you, read on. In this article, we discuss who needs a Canada business visa and how to get one.
Who Needs a Business Visa for Canada?
Business Visitors
If you are visiting Canada to perform business activities such as checking out the market for global expansion, investing or developing in-country relationships, you’re considered a business visitor. In this case, you do not need a business visa. You will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) beginning on March 15, 2016. Business visitors need to prove the following information to the Canadian government:
- You’re staying in Canada for less than six months.
- You are not entering the Canadian labor market.
- Your business headquarters is outside Canada.
- You have a valid passport.
- You have a clean background check.
- You are not a health risk to Canadians.
Temporary Workers
People looking for work in Canada need to apply for a temporary work visa. Non-Canadian citizens are eligible for these type of permits. It doesn’t make you a permanent resident, but it does allow you to live in Canada and earn revenue in the country. You may need a visitor visa in addition to the work visa.
Business Owners
Entrepreneurs looking to establish a subsidiary in Canada need to apply for a Canada Business Immigration Visa. This is a much larger process and has many requirements. The country wants to bring more businesses into the country, which means you may qualify for a startup visa. It’s still through the immigration department, but it’s directly geared towards business owners.
How to Apply for a Temporary Work Visa in Canada
Applying for a temporary work permit is less complicated than the full-blown immigration process, but there are still many parts in the process. Below are the common steps you need to take if you want to work for a Canadian employer.
- Your employer may need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire you. This is a document that gives an employer legal permission to hire foreign employees.
- You need to have an official offer from the employer before applying for a visa. The company also needs to officially submit this offer to Citizen and Immigration.
- The company may need to pay an employer compliance fee.
If you meet these qualifications, you need to apply for a temporary work visa outside of Canada. The amount of time to process your application and the fees vary depending on the type of work you plan to perform in the country.
Also important - your spouse or common-law partner and any dependent children may apply to come with you.
How to Apply for a Business Visa in Canada
If you want to establish a subsidiary in Canada, you’ll need to apply through the immigration program. Many small to mid-size business owners benefit from Canada’s Startup Visa program. This initiative urges business owners to bring operations to the country to grow its economy.
Canada’s highly educated labor pool, low taxes, and strong economy make it an attractive market for business owners. You may be eligible to immigrate to Canada and expand your business with this visa option if you take the following steps.
- Determine if you’re eligible to receive the Canadian startup visa.
- If you meet requirements, apply online.
- Complete the required medical exams and background checks.
The typical processing time for these visas varies. It can take months to process. Fees also vary depending on the type of business you own.
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As always with articles of this nature, please take the information as a reference only and not the basis for legal actions, please always consult directly with us if you need help or your immigration attorney.
If you need assistance with the visa process (we know this is daunting), reach out to us. We offer international consulting and can guide you in the right direction to prepare you for a successful global expansion!
