You can invite business associates to Canada using an eTA or guest visa because, in a world when many countries have officially entered recession, Canada still maintains a solid business standard, which makes businesses prefer to invest in the country.
This, of course, implies that you can extend an invitation to business partners to visit Canada. These friends can then contribute to strengthening the Canadian economy.
But a lot of colleagues just visit Canada for conferences, seminars, or business meetings. Therefore, typically don’t stay in Canada for very long.
In the meantime, you should thoroughly research business associates’ past performance, assets and liabilities, reputation, and present legal situation before inviting them to Canada. This is to prevent any issues along the way.
thereby defending the goals and standing of your business. You will also learn if the background of your possible partner may pose issues for your company down the road by asking the right questions.
Who Qualifies to Be a Business Associate?
An individual who travels to Canada to engage in foreign business without being employed in Canada is referred to as a business associate.
As a business traveler, you could often spend a few days or weeks in Canada; however, you could remain longer—up to six months—depending on the circumstances.
Additionally, visitors on business may belong to any of the following categories: current or prospective customers
- investors
- a trade show or conference visitor,
- partners
- employees
- people visiting the company’s premises for training
Who is Eligible to Invite a Business Associate to Canada?
Business partners may be invited to Canada by Canadian companies. Individuals may also extend invitations to business guests.
Of course, before you can host a foreign business visitor, you must write a letter of invitation.
Checklist of documents for inviting a business partner to Canada
The list of documentation required for visitors or business associates to enter Canada is provided below.
- a valid visitor visa, if applicable
- a passport or travel document good for the duration of your stay
- letters of support from your parent company; a letter of invitation from the Canadian host company, or a letter of recognition from the Canada Border Services Agency. If you require an electronic travel authorization (eTA), you must travel with the same passport that you used for your application.
- additional paperwork, such as contracts, warranty or service agreements, or other required documentation, 24-hour contact information for your company host in Canada
- evidence that you have adequate money for your trip to Canada, and back
- evidence of COVID-19 immunization.
A letter of invitation for a business associate in Canada
Generally, Canadian businesses need to write an invitation letter before they may invite a business colleague.
A letter of invitation does not serve as authorization for a visa, which is bad if your business guest needs one. Thus, whenever it becomes essential, suggest that your business associate file for a Canadian visa.
Find out if this is necessary before applying for a visa by getting in touch with the Canadian visa office in the nation where you will be visiting.
Additionally, be sure to notify your guest promptly. He’ll have ample time to process his visa thanks to this.
The following details must be included in the invitation letter:
In general, the invitation letter needs to provide details about the guest, the person sending the invitation, and the organization. For this reason, you need to provide the following details in your invitation letter before sending out invitations to business associates in Canada.
Business visitor
You need to include the following details about your business associate in the invitation letter. Among them are
- date of birth,
- if available, the name and position of the person,
- the company they represent,
- their address,
- and phone number (both at work and home)
- Your company’s relationship with the invitee and your shared business history;
- whether you are acquainted with the visitor,
- and if so, what is the purpose of the visit
- how long will the visitor stay in Canada;
- and whether your company will pay for the visitor’s lodging and living expenses until the day of their intended departure from Canada.
The one who is sending out the invitation
It is necessary to know the following details about the individual sending out the invitation:
- complete name
- job title and position in the company
- address and telephone numbers in Canada and
- work email address.
Company
The company issuing the invitation must provide the following details in addition to the ones listed above.
- complete name of the company
- headquarters address
- the address of all company facilities to be visited
- the company’s website address, if available
- the company’s date of registration/incorporation and
- a short description of the firm’s type of business
Steps to Invite a Business Associate to Canada
Step 1: Take careful consideration
You need to research the person you might be dating. As a result, you should be aware of your business associates’ past performance, assets and liabilities, reputation, and present legal situation before you welcome them to Canada.
Step 2: Familiarize yourself with Canada’s COVID-19 and business visitor admission regulations.
Secondly, you have to inform your prospective business partner of the Canadian COVID-19 protocols and requirements.
Step 3: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Your companion might occasionally require an eTA. To reserve their ticket to Canada, they must submit an online application for eTA.
After applying, you will often receive an authorized eTA in a matter of minutes. However, processing some requests could take many days.
Step 4: Visitor Visa
Your guest must apply for a visitor visa, just like any other temporary tourist to Canada, if they require one to enter the country.
For business visitors, there isn’t a different application. All tourists, including those traveling to Canada for business, are covered by the visitor visa.
Step 5: The obligations of your business
- The obligations of your firm come next. Conducting due diligence on a possible business partner is one example of this.
- communicating with the Canadian Trade Commissioner in charge of the industry and nation from where your guest is arriving.
- giving two copies of an invitation letter to your possible visiting business partner.
- supplying the 24-hour contact details of a representative from your company to your prospective visiting business partner.
How to Get Ready For Your Business Associate’s Arrival in Canada
Generally, you can invite business associates to Canada with an eTA or guest visa.
At the point of entrance, the border services official, however, could occasionally discover that your guest requires a work permit.
This depends on whether the visitor’s circumstances have changed since arriving, though. Occasionally, it can be the outcome of the data obtained during the interview.
This might not be a major concern in the interim, as the invitation letter might clarify the circumstances and assist in averting such issues.
Secondly, your guest can be provided with a Canadian contact who can assist in explaining.
But you need to be certain that the individual you’ve gotten in touch with can respond to the inquiries.
Consequently, before you extend an invitation to a tourist to visit Canada, you must give them all the required paperwork.
Which Kinds of Business Visas Are Available in Canada?
The first thing you should do is find out if the Canadian immigration authorities classify you as a business traveler.
If you are in Canada as a guest of a local firm, seeing sites, or holding meetings, you may be classified as a business visitor.
But to qualify as a business visitor, you must be traveling for job-related reasons and not plan to work for pay or join the Canadian workforce while you’re there. In the latter scenario, you ought to apply for a work permit.
Is a Business Visa for Canada Required, or is an eTA?
What you’ll need to enter Canada can vary slightly depending on your situation. It matters what country you are from, why you are traveling, and how long you plan to stay in the country.
To facilitate the process, the Canadian Immigration Service website has a useful tool that asks you several questions about your citizenship and intended visit to determine which admission method you’ll need to follow.
How Much Time May You Spend in Canada While Holding a Business or eTA Visa?
EU nationals and citizens of the United Kingdom typically require an electronic travel authority (eTA) in other Canada for business travel, with a maximum stay of ninety days.
You might need to apply for a visa, which is normally valid for six months if you plan to stay longer.
The immigration officer who stamps your passport upon entry into Canada will decide how long you can stay; it may be longer or shorter than the six-month maximum, depending on why you are visiting.
If you want to stay in Canada for more than six months after arriving, you should let the border officer know. They will then decide whether or not to permit you.
What Kind of Paperwork is Required to Enter Canada with an eTA?
Online eTA applications ought to be simple and quick to complete. Even with your eTA set up, you might still be required to present certain documentation to immigration officials upon your arrival in Canada. You will likely require the following:
- Your current passport must match the one you submitted when applying for an eTA
- letters verifying the objective of your business trip from both your employer and the Canadian company you are visiting
- Contact information for your Canadian host
- Evidence of your financial situation, demonstrating your ability to pay for your visit to Canada and your flight back home
- You could be required to present additional documentation, such as contracts or service agreements, depending on the purpose of your visit.
What kind of paperwork is required when applying for a visa?
You may need to apply for an eTA (emergency travel authorization) or a visitor visa (also known as a temporary resident visa), depending on your citizenship and the duration of your intended stay in Canada. You can use a specifically designed online tool from the Canadian government to determine which one you need.
When applying, you should have the following documents handy if you require an eTA.
- a valid passport
- a working email account
- pertinent data for a payment method that is accepted (Visa, Mastercard, American Express credit or pre-paid card, Visa or Mastercard debit card, UnionPay, JCB Card, or Interac)
- Your application for the eTA will be handled in a matter of minutes to a week after you submit it. Since you will only receive the answer by mail, keep a check on your junk mail as well.
The list of documents you must apply for is a little longer if you require a visitor visa. Typically, copies of the following records must be submitted:
- Your passport is valid and active.
- a filled-out application and two current passport photos
- evidence of having paid the biometrics and visa fees
- Employment verification, such as a letter from your employer
- Evidence that you can pay for your stay and your return transportation after the business trip; comprehensive information about the purpose of your visit, such as a letter from a Canadian host company; contracts or meeting details; and a full itinerary with contact information of any Canadian companies you may spend time with
- A criminal background check and a medical report may also be required for some guests.
- Before the visa is granted, your application will be reviewed, and you may be required to attend an interview at the Canadian embassy or consulate in your area.
How Can You Apply for a Business Visa in Canada?
Visit the website of the Canadian immigration authorities to apply for your visa. Make sure you understand the steps by following the prompts on the screen.
You can begin your application for the Visitor Visa or the eTATM and get access to a comprehensive checklist of the documents you need to send.
After paying a fee—which may include a biometric fee—you’ll be able to follow the progress of your application online.
You may be required to: submit additional details about your trip; participate in an interview; or demonstrate that you pose no health, security, or criminal danger to Canada.
How much time can it take to apply?
Applications for visas typically take several weeks to process, but you can obtain a more accurate estimate online depending on your specific circumstances.
You may have to wait only a few minutes if you can travel using an eTA rather than a visitor visa.
To ensure that you will get your correct paperwork before your flight to Canada, you should still apply as soon as possible, even though in some circumstances it may take a few days.
How much does it cost to get a business visa?
The amount you pay will vary based on your situation and the specific requirements to enter Canada.
The cost of a visitor visa is CAD100, and you will additionally need to pay if providing biometric information is necessary. The biometric application cost for each applicant is CAD 85.
FAQS
How long does it take to process a business visa in Canada?
A Canadian visa takes roughly three to four months to process. However, there can be some delays if specific documents are absent. In addition, your application will not be processed if the mandatory 150 CAD application fee is not paid.
How do you handle being denied an invitation, eTA, or tourist visa?
If your invitation or visiting visa is denied, there is typically no official procedure to follow. But you might ask your partner to reapply for a fresh visa and send out another invitation.
Conclusion
Extending an invitation to business partners to visit Canada necessitates a comprehensive strategy, ranging from comprehending visa prerequisites to enabling a constructive and fruitful business encounter.
By offering thorough support, you help the entire business engagement succeed in addition to guaranteeing compliance with immigration procedures.
