Can V-1 Visa issued as a tourist be used for a Business Visit

[SF_Nomad]

From the US: A colleague recently applied for as a tourist for a Visitor Visa and is close to being approved. Of course, his boss just told him he needs to visit Canada on business in the coming weeks. My understanding right now is that if you apply as a business visitor, you get a B-1 Visitor-Business Visa. As he applied as a tourist I imagine he'll be receiving a V-1 Visitor Visa.

His bio-metrics are complete and he's just waiting to send his passport in for issuance. I'm inclined to tell him he should re-apply for a new visa as a business visitor. I'm only hesitant because I've been told by multiple people that he could do business visits with a 'tourist' visa.

I'm aware that if you had a B-1 Business Visa, you could generally use it to visit as a tourist. But I also know that it does not always work the other way around. So far I haven't gotten anywhere contacting the Consulate or VFS. If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it, thanks!!

 

[Buletruck]

From the US: A colleague recently applied for as a tourist for a Visitor Visa and is close to being approved. Of course, his boss just told him he needs to visit Canada on business in the coming weeks. My understanding right now is that if you apply as a business visitor, you get a B-1 Visitor-Business Visa. As he applied as a tourist I imagine he'll be receiving a V-1 Visitor Visa.

His bio-metrics are complete and he's just waiting to send his passport in for issuance. I'm inclined to tell him he should re-apply for a new visa as a business visitor. I'm only hesitant because I've been told by multiple people that he could do business visits with a 'tourist' visa.

I'm aware that if you had a B-1 Business Visa, you could generally use it to visit as a tourist. But I also know that it does not always work the other way around. So far I haven't gotten anywhere contacting the Consulate or VFS. If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it, thanks!!

I suspect it would depend on the type of "business" he's doing. Meeting and sales calls would probably be OK. Anything involving actual work would likely require a business visa.

 

[SF_Nomad]

Thanks for the advice! Possibly a grey area, he is an engineer meeting with suppliers and auditing their factory operations. I'm hoping he'll be able to connect directly with the Consulate or the application center for advice. Maybe they can accept some extra business documents and help adjust the visa type. Otherwise I don't know what he could do at this point in the process..

 

[Buletruck]

He should be fine auditing suppliers. Avoid carrying anything that looks like a tool.

 

[SF_Nomad]

Thanks Buletruck. We're still going to try to reach the Consulate and I'll update if they say anything different, but this makes us a little less nervous.

 

[scylla]

Thanks for the advice! Possibly a grey area, he is an engineer meeting with suppliers and auditing their factory operations. I'm hoping he'll be able to connect directly with the Consulate or the application center for advice. Maybe they can accept some extra business documents and help adjust the visa type. Otherwise I don't know what he could do at this point in the process..

The visa type cannot be adjusted on arrival. Either the visa he has applied for is sufficient or it isn't and he needs to reapply for something else.

 

[canuck78]

Thanks for the advice! Possibly a grey area, he is an engineer meeting with suppliers and auditing their factory operations. I'm hoping he'll be able to connect directly with the Consulate or the application center for advice. Maybe they can accept some extra business documents and help adjust the visa type. Otherwise I don't know what he could do at this point in the process..

If it is discovered that he is coming for business he could be refused entry. Much safer to apply for the business visa if he wants to make sure there are no issues and will be able to enter at the border.

 

[Buletruck]

If it is discovered that he is coming for business he could be refused entry. Much safer to apply for the business visa if he wants to make sure there are no issues and will be able to enter at the border.

No he doesn't. He's not coming to work. He needs to be clear he's here on business, not a visitor.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...rvices/visit-canada/business/eligibility.html

 

[canuck78]

No he doesn't. He's not coming to work. He needs to be clear he's here on business, not a visitor.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...rvices/visit-canada/business/eligibility.html

That’s what I believe I just said. I could have been more precise and said business visitor visa and not business visa but given we had only been talking about visitor visas I thought that was implied.

 

[SF_Nomad]

The visa type cannot be adjusted on arrival. Either the visa he has applied for is sufficient or it isn't and he needs to reapply for something else.

Of course, I meant if the Consulate is able to help issue a different type, since the visa hasn't been granted yet. It's a long shot but the visa officers there could sign off on a business visa, if they are willing to help him out.