Visas and entry to Canada for business event travelers
Visas and entry to Canada for business event travelers
What do I need to travel to Canada?
Travelling to Canada for a meeting, conference or business event? What you need to enter Canada depends on your citizenship, the travel document you use and how you travel.
You may need a visitor visa (also known as a temporary resident visa) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Some travellers may not need either.
What do I need to travel to Canada?
Travelling to Canada for a meeting, conference or business event? What you need to enter Canada depends on your citizenship, the travel document you use and how you travel.
You may need a visitor visa (also known as a temporary resident visa) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Some travellers may not need either.
What might I need to enter Canada?
Passport or other travel document
What you need to bring depends on your citizenship or status and how you travel to Canada. Use IRCC’s online tool to confirm which travel documents you need before you travel.
Electronic travel authorization (eTA)
If you need an eTA to fly to Canada, you must apply online before you travel. IRCC recommends applying before you book your flight to Canada. Most eTA applications are approved within minutes, but some can take longer if IRCC needs additional documents. If your eTA application is refused, refer to IRCC for information about the decision and possible next steps.
Learn about eTAs and apply online
Check current processing times
Get help with a refused eTA application
Visitor visa
If you need a visitor visa (also known as a temporary resident visa) to attend a business event in Canada, you apply through the regular visitor visa process. Visitor visa processing times can also vary. Apply as early as possible and check current processing information before you travel. If your visitor visa application is refused, refer to IRCC for information about the decision and possible next steps. There is no separate visitor visa application for business visitors.
What might I need to enter Canada?
Passport or other travel document
What you need to bring depends on your citizenship or status and how you travel to Canada. Use IRCC’s online tool to confirm which travel documents you need before you travel.
Electronic travel authorization (eTA)
If you need an eTA to fly to Canada, you must apply online before you travel. IRCC recommends applying before you book your flight to Canada. Most eTA applications are approved within minutes, but some can take longer if IRCC needs additional documents. If your eTA application is refused, refer to IRCC for information about the decision and possible next steps.
Learn about eTAs and apply online
Check current processing times
Get help with a refused eTA application
Visitor visa
If you need a visitor visa (also known as a temporary resident visa) to attend a business event in Canada, you apply through the regular visitor visa process. Visitor visa processing times can also vary. Apply as early as possible and check current processing information before you travel. If your visitor visa application is refused, refer to IRCC for information about the decision and possible next steps. There is no separate visitor visa application for business visitors.
Planning or attending a business event?
Find the information most relevant to you, whether you’re attending an event or organizing one.
Planning or attending a business event?
Find the information most relevant to you, whether you’re attending an event or organizing one.
For delegates
Before you travel
Use this checklist as you prepare for your trip:
- Check whether you need a visitor visa or eTA.
- Apply as early as possible. If you need an eTA, IRCC recommends applying before you book your flight.
- Check current processing times if you need a visitor visa.
- Ask your event organizer whether your event has an IRCC event code. If your meeting, event or conference is registered with IRCC and you need a visitor visa, the organizer may provide a code and application instructions.
- Check what documents you need to bring to Canada. Keep them with you when you arrive rather than in checked baggage.
Check what you need to travel to Canada
For delegates
Before you travel
Use this checklist as you prepare for your trip:
- Check whether you need a visitor visa or eTA.
- Apply as early as possible. If you need an eTA, IRCC recommends applying before you book your flight.
- Check current processing times if you need a visitor visa.
- Ask your event organizer whether your event has an IRCC event code. If your meeting, event or conference is registered with IRCC and you need a visitor visa, the organizer may provide a code and application instructions.
- Check what documents you need to bring to Canada. Keep them with you when you arrive rather than in checked baggage.
Check what you need to travel to Canada
For event planners
Support for eligible international events
If you’re organizing an international business event or meeting in Canada with participants who require visas, your event may be eligible for support from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Special Events Liaison Unit (SELU).
Eligible events can receive support including:
- guidance on Canada’s visa and entry requirements
- coordination of visa processing for event participants
SELU cannot expedite visa applications or influence visa officers’ decisions.
Events must meet IRCC's eligibility criteria to register with SELU. Check the current requirements before submitting a request.
Check SELU eligibility and register your event
Help your delegates prepare
Make it easy for international delegates to find official entry information.
You can:
- share IRCC's visa and eTA checker
- encourage delegates to apply early
- share the event code and application instructions if IRCC provides them
- provide invitation letters where required
- direct delegates to current processing times and entry requirements
See IRCC guidance for event organizers
Invitation letters and event codes
Event organizers may need to provide business visitors with a letter of invitation. A letter of invitation does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
If your event is registered with IRCC, the organizer will receive an event code to share with participants who require a visitor visa. IRCC recommends including the event code in a letter of invitation. Participants should also include the event code in their visa applications. This helps IRCC identify them as participants in a registered event.
For event planners
Support for eligible international events
If you’re organizing an international business event or meeting in Canada with participants who require visas, your event may be eligible for support from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Special Events Liaison Unit (SELU).
Eligible events can receive support including:
- guidance on Canada’s visa and entry requirements
- coordination of visa processing for event participants
SELU cannot expedite visa applications or influence visa officers’ decisions.
Events must meet IRCC's eligibility criteria to register with SELU. Check the current requirements before submitting a request.
Check SELU eligibility and register your event
Help your delegates prepare
Make it easy for international delegates to find official entry information.
You can:
- share IRCC's visa and eTA checker
- encourage delegates to apply early
- share the event code and application instructions if IRCC provides them
- provide invitation letters where required
- direct delegates to current processing times and entry requirements
See IRCC guidance for event organizers
Invitation letters and event codes
Event organizers may need to provide business visitors with a letter of invitation. A letter of invitation does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
If your event is registered with IRCC, the organizer will receive an event code to share with participants who require a visitor visa. IRCC recommends including the event code in a letter of invitation. Participants should also include the event code in their visa applications. This helps IRCC identify them as participants in a registered event.
Let us help you bring your event to Canada
Planning a meeting, conference or international business event? Destination Canada’s Business Events team can connect you with the right people and resources to help you plan with confidence.