Visit canada:
Canada welcomes you as a tourist, student or temporary worker. Every year, more than 5 million people visit Canada to enjoy the many opportunities our country has to offer.
Depending on where you live, and the reason for your visit, you will need to meet certain entry requirements. In some cases, if you plan to stay in Canada for a certain period of time, you will need a Temporary Resident Visa.
To visit Canada, you must know::
. have a valid travel document, such as a passport
. be in good health
. satisfy an immigration officer that you have ties, such as a job, home and family, that will take you back to your country of origin
. satisfy 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 with the circumstances of the visit, how long you will stay and whether you will stay in a hotel or with friends or relatives. For more information, ask the Canadian visa office in your country or region.
. a Temporary Resident Visa, depending on your citizenship
. a medical examination and
. a letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.
Travel documents:
- Transport companies, such as airlines, must ensure you have proper, valid travel documents when you enter Canada. If you do not have the proper documents, you may be delayed or denied boarding.
Visas and exemptions:
You may or may not need a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada, depending on your citizenship. Even if you are exempt, though, there is important information you need to know before you plan your trip.
If you need a visa, see How to Apply for a Visa in the Learn About section below to find out how to get your visa.
If you do not need a visa, see Visa Exempt – Important Information for Travellers in the Learn About section below.
If you are not sure, see Do You Need a Visa? in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Inadmissibility:
Some people are inadmissible—they are not allowed to come to Canada. Several things can make you inadmissible, including involvement in criminal activity, in human rights violations or in organized crime. You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.
Criminal inadmissibility:
If you have committed or been convicted of a criminal offence, you may not be allowed to enter Canada.
Criminal offences include both minor and serious offences, such as theft, assault, manslaughter, dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For a complete list of criminal offences in Canada, consult the Canadian Criminal Code.
If you were convicted of a crime when you were under the age of 18, you can probably still enter Canada. See the Related Links at the bottom of this page for more information about admissibility.
Business visitors:
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. There is no separate application for business visitors. The temporary resident visa covers all visitors, including those in Canada on business to find out if you must apply for one.
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.
. 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 in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
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 Working temporarily in Canada in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
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. For more information, see Canadian visa offices under the Related Links section at the bottom of this page to find the visa office responsible for the country or region where you live.