IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT VISAS AND ENTRY TO CANADA
If you plan to participate in the conference in Canada, but you’re not living in this country, then you will need a valid Canadian visa. To get the visa the following documents are required; A valid passport for a minimum of six months from the intended date of entering the country, other documents to support the travel.
However, some countries’ attendants may not need a visa to come to Canada for the conference. They only require undergoing the process of an entry requirement that is Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Hence, it is recommended to visit the web portals of the Government of Canada to check if you will need a visa to enter the country or not.
Note that there is no requirement to obtain a visa if you are currently in Canada, whether as a permanent resident or student, in order to participate in business conferences.
Submission of Applications for Canada Visa (TRV)
Referring to the IRCC, if anyone plans to participate in any meeting, event or conference in Canada, he/she has to obtain a temporary resident visa (Visitor Visa) (Except for those who are eligible for the eTA process).
Participants have to apply for a temporary resident visa (Visitor Visa) online or in-person in their respected country’s Canada visa application center. And the application should be in accordance with the IRCC requirement.
Visa application is usually reviewed case-by-case, depending on the information provided. So, it is important to submit all the required documents, including an official invitation letter from the event organizer, financial proof, and accommodation proof while applying for the visa.
Remember that, getting any decision on your visa can vary depending on your local Canada embassy or consulate or where you submit the visa application. So, it is advisable to apply for a visa at least 12 weeks before the start of the conference you register for. This will help you ensure you get a decision against your submitted visa application and attend the conference in time.
Note that having a special event code for a conference provided by IRCC is not favorable to the visa approval. However, in some cases, having an IRCC special event code on a conference helps the visa officer recognize the event.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), since November 10, 2016, visa-exempt foreign citizens can enter Canada through Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Citizens of the United States and Canadians, including dual citizens and Canadian permanent residents, fall under the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program.
Business Visitors Attend Conferences in Canada
If business visitors plan to participate in a conference or event in Canada, they must either obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or go through the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) process. In order to obtain the Visa (TRV), the initial step is to submit an application with the required documents, which should include an official invitation letter. The invitation letter has to be included with the following information:
- Purpose of the visit (e.g., conference, event, trade show, etc.).
- Location and Date of the event.
- Name and contact information about the participant.
- Special event code provided by IRCC (if any).
- Information about the organization hosting the conference.
Travel in Canada with Minor Children
If you want to travel to Canada with minor children, you’ll need to plan carefully for a smooth journey. In that case, your children will need a separate visa to visit Canada with you.
So, make sure you have important documents for your children, like birth certificates and guardianship papers. These documents will confirm your relationship with the children.
At the point of entry, you should be prepared to answer questions about your travel plans and relationship to children. You are advised to become familiar with Canadian immigration regulations for a smooth entry.
Important Note Regarding Canadian Visa
- Conference organizer don’t have any control over the decision of the Canada High Commission regarding the visa approval.
- If anything goes wrong with actual visa issuance, the conference organizer is not responsible.
- It is advisable to apply for a visa as early as possible to attend the conference in time.
- If your visa application is refused, the conference organizer won’t take any decision over the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on behalf of you.
Reference: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)