Business Visitor Admission

## Step 2: Find out if you need a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada If you qualify as a business visitor, answer a few questions†ircc.canada.ca to find out what you may need to apply for, and which documents you’ll need to come to Canada.

## Who needs an eTA to travel to Canada? There are 4 types of travellers: 1. Travellers who need an eTA: * Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. These travellers do not need an eTA when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship). 2. Travellers who may be eligible to apply for an eTA: * Citizens from select visa-required countries may be eligible to apply for an eTA, instead of a visa, to travel to Canada by air. However, these travellers need a visitor visa when arriving by car, bus, train, or boat, including a cruise ship. 3. Travellers who cannot apply for an eTA and need to carry other identification: * Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, need a valid Canadian passport . American-Canadians can travel with a valid Canadian or U.S. passport. * Canadian permanent residents need a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document . * Important – former residents of Canada: Permanent resident (PR) status does not expire. If you once lived in Canada many years ago, you could still have PR status. Learn more to avoid travel delays . * Visa-required including alien’s passport holders and stateless individuals. 4. Travellers who are exempt from the eTA requirement. * U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification†www.cbsa.gc.ca such as a valid U.S. passport. * Lawful permanent residents of the United States who hold valid status in the U.S. are exempt from the eTA requirement. * They must carry official proof of status (or an equivalent status document) and a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent travel document). * See the complete list of documents for lawful permanent residents of the U.S. Complete list of acceptable status documents for lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

You’re eligible to apply for an eTA if you meet all 3 requirements: * You’ve held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past 10 years or currently hold a valid United States (US) non-immigrant visa†travel.state.gov . * Your US nonimmigrant visa must be valid on the day you apply for your eTA, but doesn’t need to be valid when you travel to Canada. * You’re coming to Canada for a temporary stay (normally for up to 6 months). * You’re flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport using a valid passport from one of the eligible visa-required countries . If you do not meet all of the requirements, you need a visitor visa†ircc.canada.ca (temporary resident visa) to travel to Canada. ### Eligible visa-required countries * Antigua and Barbuda * Argentina * Brazil * Costa Rica * Indonesia New * Malaysia New * Mexico * Morocco * Panama * Philippines * St. Kitts and Nevis * St. Lucia * St. Vincent and the Grenadines * Seychelles * Thailand * Trinidad and Tobago * Uruguay ## You need a visitor visa to come to Canada by car, bus, train or boat Travellers with a passport from one of the eligible countries still need a valid visitor visa (temporary resident visa) if * driving to Canada from the U.S. by car or * arriving by bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship (even if they are not leaving the ship) ## Travellers who already have a valid Canadian visa

To qualify as a business visitor to Canada, you must show that * you plan to stay for less than 6 months * you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market * your main place of business, and source of income and profits is outside Canada * you have documents that support your application * you meet Canada’s basic entry requirements, because 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 * are not a criminal, security or health risk to Canadians If you plan to stay for more than 6 months or plan to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to apply for a work permit .

Activities you may conduct as a business visitor include * buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government * taking orders for goods or services * going to meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs * giving after-sales service as part of a warranty or sales agreement * being trained by a Canadian parent company that you work for outside Canada * training employees of a Canadian branch of a foreign company * being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services

Business visitors are persons who stay in Canada for a few days or a few weeks to attend meetings or an event, and can stay for up to 6 months.

To qualify as a business visitor to Canada, you must show that * you plan to stay for less than 6 months * you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market * your main place of business, and source of income and profits is outside Canada * you have documents that support your application * you meet Canada’s basic entry requirements, because 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 * are not a criminal, security or health risk to Canadians If you plan to stay for more than 6 months or plan to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to apply for a work permit .

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. An eTA is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.  If you get a new passport, you need to get a new eTA. With a valid eTA, you can travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (normally for up to six months at a time). You do not need an eTA for travel within Canada.

#### How long you can stay Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. At the port of entry, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If so, they’ll put the date you need to leave by in your passport. They might also give you a document, called a visitor record†ircc.canada.ca , which will show the date you need to leave by. If you don’t get a stamp in your passport, you can stay for 6 months from the day you entered Canada or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you need a stamp, you can ask a border services officer for one. If you arrive at an airport that uses primary inspection kiosks†www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca , ask the border officer after you finish at the kiosk.

Make sure that you have the following documents when you arrive at the border (don’t pack them in your suitcase): * a passport or travel document that is valid for your entire stay * a valid visitor visa, if applicable * if you need an eTA, the same passport you used in your application * if you’re a lawful permanent resident of the United States (US), a valid green card (or equivalent official proof of status in the U S ) and a valid passport from your country of nationality (or an equivalent document) * letters of support from your parent company, and a letter of invitation from the Canadian host business or a letter of recognition from the Canada Border Services Agency†www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca * other documents such as warranty or service agreements, or contracts, if relevant to your visit * 24-hour contact details of your business host in Canada * proof that you have enough money to cover both your stay in Canada and your return home

## Situations where you may need extra documents on arrival If either of the following situations applies to you or someone you’ll travel with, have the documents indicated in hand. ### You have a child under the age of 18 (a minor child) In Canada, a child under the age of 18 is considered a minor. You may need to show * a letter from one or both parents, or a legal guardian, that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and * other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not Find out more about minor children travelling to Canada #### You were invited to come to Canada If you got a letter from a person or company that invited you to Canada, bring that letter with you. A border services officer may ask to see it. Find out more about letters of invitation . ## You arrive in Canada A valid eTA and travel document don’t guarantee that you can enter Canada. ### We determine if you meet all entry requirements When you arrive, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and other travel documents. They’ll check your identity to make sure that you’re the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. * If you enter Canada at one of 10 major Canadian airports * Your fingerprints will be checked automatically at a primary inspection kiosk†www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca . * The system will check your identity against the information collected when your application was submitted. * If you enter Canada at smaller airports and all land ports of entry * Your fingerprints may be checked if we refer you to a secondary inspection†www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca , where a border services officer will use a fingerprint verification device to check your fingerprints. ## You enter Canada If you pass the identity check, health assessment, and meet the entry requirements , the border services officer may stamp your passport or let you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to 6 months. In some cases, the officer may limit or extend your time in Canada to cover the planned purpose of your visit. Ask questions if you’re not sure about something. You won’t be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information. You must convince the officer that: * you’re eligible for entry into Canada * you’ll leave Canada at the end of your approved stay If you don’t obey the conditions of your temporary resident status, we’ll ask you to leave Canada. Most people asked to leave Canada have the right to a fair hearing to review the decision. To visit Canada, you will need to meet some basic requirements, such as: * have a valid travel document, such as a passport, * be in good health, * have no criminal or immigration-related convictions, * convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country, * convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit, and * have enough money for your stay. (The amount of money you will need can vary. It depends on things such as how long you will stay, and whether you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.) ### Inadmissibility

Extended until September 28, 2026 Although the risk to Canada is low, to reduce the chances of Ebola entering Canada, we put temporary measures in place for foreign nationals living in * the Democratic Republic of the Congo * South Sudan * Uganda These measures are in place as of 23:59:59 ET on May 27, 2026, and will end at 23:59:59 ET on September 28, 2026. ## On this page * What measures are in place for Ebola * How to know if your document is suspended * What happens if your document is suspended * If you were in Canada when the measures were put in place * If you travelled or plan to travel to one of the affected countries * If you’re a citizen of any of the affected countries, but you don’t live there * Contact us about the Ebola measures ## What measures are in place for Ebola The following temporary measures are in place: * We’re temporarily suspending the immigration documents of foreign nationals who listed one of the affected countries as the last country of residence in their immigration application. * This means they can’t travel to Canada right now, even with a previously approved visa, permit or electronic travel authorization. * We’ll continue processing new and existing applications from those affected by these measures, but we won’t finalize any applications at this time. Once the measures end or are repealed, valid documents will no longer be suspended and we’ll begin making final decisions on applications again.

As of July 20, 2026, foreign nationals cannot board a flight to Canada if they’ve been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for any period of time, within the past 21 days.

These measures are being applied based on the last country of residence in your application, not your citizenship.

## Step 2: Find out if you need a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada If you qualify as a business visitor, answer a few questions†ircc.canada.ca to find out what you may need to apply for, and which documents you’ll need to come to Canada.

If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada and your meeting, event or conference is registered with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), your organizer will provide you with an event code and instructions about how to apply for a visa. * Entering the event code on your visa application form helps identify you as a participant of an event registered with us.

This is the Government of Canada’s official web page to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to, or transit through, Canada. It only costs CAN$7. Find out what it is and how to apply online.

## Overview of the eTA application process * 1. Get your passport, credit or debit card ready, and read the help document. * 2. Use the online form to apply. The form cannot be saved. So have your information ready. * 3. Pay $7 CAD for your eTA right after you complete the form.

If you want to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor (stay in Canada longer), you need to apply for a visitor record . A visitor record is not a visa†www.ircc.canada.ca . ## Image of a visitor record

You must apply for a visitor record before your current status expires. If you’re not sure when your status expires, find out how long you can stay in Canada .

A visitor record is a document that allows you to stay in Canada longer. It doesn’t guarantee that you can leave and then re-enter Canada. If you plan to travel outside Canada or the United States, you need a valid entry document, such as a visitor visa or an eTA, to return to Canada.

To qualify as a business visitor to Canada, you must show that * you plan to stay for less than 6 months * you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market * your main place of business, and source of income and profits is outside Canada * you have documents that support your application * you meet Canada’s basic entry requirements, because 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 * are not a criminal, security or health risk to Canadians If you plan to stay for more than 6 months or plan to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to apply for a work permit .