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Business visitors – CPTPP – Agreements or arrangements – International Mobility Program

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

The business visitors category of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is open to citizens of the following countries that have ratified the CPTPP:

  • Australia
  • Brunei
  • Chile
  • Japan
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Peru
  • Singapore
  • Vietnam

On this page

The authorities for the work permit exemption are paragraph 186(a) and section 187 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). However, applications made under after-sales or after-lease services may be made only by citizens from certain signatory countries. For further information, see After-sales or after-lease services below.

For citizens of CPTPP countries, officers should initially assess the applicant against the business visitor provisions found in the CPTPP. In cases where activities are not covered by the CPTPP, officers should refer to the general business visitor provisions found in the IRPR and the Business visitors [R186(a)]: Authorization to work without a work permit program delivery instructions.

Note: Permanent residents of Australia and permanent residents of New Zealand may also qualify under this category.

Length of stay for CPTPP business visitors

The maximum initial length of stay is 6 months.

Extensions are possible if the applicant is able to provide documentation that satisfies the processing officer of the applicant’s need to have their stay extended.

Permissible activities for CPTPP business visitors

Business visitors are business persons for whom

  • the primary source of remuneration for the proposed business activity is outside Canada
  • the principal place of business and the predominant place of accrual of profits remain outside Canada

Business visitors are seeking to engage in one of the following business activities:

Meetings and consultations

Business visitors in this group may be attending meetings, seminars or conferences or be engaged in consultations with business associates for any purpose. There is no requirement that the meeting or consultation be related to CPTPP business.

Research and design

Business visitors in this group are technical, scientific or statistical researchers conducting independent research or research for a foreign enterprise.

Researchers working for a Canadian enterprise require a work permit.

Manufacturing and production

Business visitors in this group are purchasing or production management personnel conducting commercial transactions for a foreign enterprise.

Marketing

Business visitors in this group are market researchers or analysts conducting independent research or analysis for a foreign enterprise.

These visitors can also be trade-fair or promotional personnel attending a trade convention.

Sales

Business visitors in this group are sales representatives or agents taking orders or negotiating contracts for goods or services for a foreign enterprise in any country, but they are not delivering goods or providing services.

These visitors can also be buyers purchasing for a foreign enterprise.

Distribution

Business visitors in this group are transportation operators who are transporting goods or passengers from a CPTPP country to Canada or loading and transporting goods or passengers from Canada onward to any other country, with no unloading of goods or passengers loaded in Canada.

After-sales or after-lease services

The after-sales or after-lease services provisions of the CPTPP are not applicable to all of the signatory countries. These provisions are only available to citizens or permanent residents of

  • Australia (citizens and permanent residents)
  • Brunei (citizens only)
  • Chile (citizens only)
  • Malaysia (citizens only)
  • Mexico (citizens only)
  • New Zealand (citizens and permanent residents)

Eligible personnel are seeking entry to Canada related to a warranty or other service contract resulting from the purchase or lease of commercial or industrial equipment or machinery (including computer software) purchased outside of Canada to

  • install a product
  • repair a product
  • maintain a product
  • supervise work of others installing, repairing or maintaining products
  • train other personnel to perform the contracted services

Eligible personnel are those who possess specialized knowledge essential to a seller’s or lessor’s contractual obligation under the warranty or service agreement. The seller or lessor may have a third party provide the services if this arrangement was in the initial contractual agreement.

Officers may refer to the Business visitors [R186(a)]: Authorized to work without a work permit program delivery instructions for further details on after-sales and after-lease services.

General services

General services include any of the following:

  • professionals and technicians who are only engaging in business activities as described under paragraph R186(a)
  • management and supervisory personnel engaging in business-related duties (for example, making arrangements to lease office space in Canada) for a foreign business
  • financial services personnel (insurers, bankers and investment brokers) engaging in commercial transactions for an enterprise in any country
  • tourism personnel (tour and travel agents, tour guides and tour operators) attending or participating in conventions or conducting a tour that has begun outside of Canada
    • The tour may end in Canada or outside of Canada, but it must begin outside of Canada.
  • translators or interpreters performing services as employees of a foreign enterprise in a party other than Canada

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