These are people who come to Canada to engage in business and or trade activities but do not have the intention to enter the Canadian labour market. Their work most times must be international in scope, their primary source of worker’s compensation is outside of Canada, their principal place of employment is located outside of Canada and employer’s profits are accrued outside of Canada.
Examples of what they can come to Canada to do include:
After-sales service providers may come to Canada to repair, service, supervise installers, set up and test commercial or industrial equipment. Individuals coming to Canada to train prospective users or maintenance staff in the operation of specialized equipment may also fall under this category.
Members of a board of directors who must enter Canada to attend a meeting are eligible to do so as business visitors. Though these individuals may be remunerated for their time in Canada, this does not constitute entry into the Canadian labour market.
Individuals who are employed in a personal capacity, on a full-time basis, by temporary residents in Canada may be considered business visitors. An example of professions that may be eligible under this category include domestic servants, personal assistants or live-in caregivers. If the short-term temporary resident, and subsequently their employee(s), extends their stay past 6 months, a Labour Market Opinion and Work Permit may need to be secured for the employee(s).
An employee of a foreign company can be sent to help monitor the contract that their company is executing in Canada. In this instance, a business visitor visa can be issued. This can occur because foreign companies contract Canadian companies to provide services in Canada. In such a situation, the foreign company may wish to send one or more employees to Canada to ensure that the work is being carried out in a way that pleases the foreign company.