Canada business visitor visa from Pakistan: the IRCC process
Canada does not have a separate business visa for short visits. Business visitors from Pakistan apply for a visitor visa online with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and give biometrics in Pakistan.
Canada business visa for Pakistani passport holders
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Visitor visa (temporary resident visa), used for business visits. |
| Apply | Online through the IRCC portal or an IRCC secure account. |
| Fees | CAD 100 for the visa and CAD 85 for biometrics, paid online. |
| Biometrics | At a visa application centre in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi, within 30 days of the biometric instruction letter. |
| Processing | IRCC’s estimate for visitor visas from Pakistan was 58 days in its 4 November 2026 update, including biometrics. |
| Passport | If approved, IRCC sends a passport request; the passport is submitted through the visa application centre. |
| eTA | Not available to Pakistani passport holders. |
Which route fits your trip
Business visitors to Canada can attend meetings, negotiate contracts, buy Canadian goods or services, attend conferences and trade fairs, and receive training from a Canadian parent company, as long as they are not entering the Canadian labour market. The main source of pay and the place of business must stay outside Canada.
The process starts online. After the fees are paid, IRCC sends a biometric instruction letter, and the traveller books an appointment at a visa application centre in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi. Processing time is counted from a complete application and includes biometrics.
IRCC updates its processing times weekly, and the figure is an estimate, not a promise. For a fair or a fixed meeting, apply at least three months ahead.
What a strong file usually contains
Every case is different; this is the base list we start from.
- A valid passport
- A letter of invitation from the Canadian company or event, with dates and purpose
- An employer letter stating your role, salary, approved leave and who pays
- Company documents, such as registration, tax returns and export records
- Personal and company bank statements
- Travel history, with previous visas
- An itinerary with flight and hotel reservations
- Proof of ties to Pakistan, such as family, property or business ownership
How the application runs
Apply online
Create the IRCC account, answer the questions and upload documents.
Pay
CAD 100 visa fee and CAD 85 biometrics fee.
Biometrics
Book a visa application centre within 30 days of the letter.
Decision
IRCC reviews the file; the estimate changes weekly.
Passport
Submit the passport when asked and collect it with the visa.
Why files get refused or returned
IRCC refuses files when it is not satisfied that the visit is temporary or the purpose is genuine.
- An invitation that does not explain the business purpose
- Weak financial evidence or unexplained deposits
- Limited travel history without other strong ties
- Inconsistent information between forms and documents
- A purpose that looks like work rather than a business visit
Before you fly and at the border
Check the visa’s validity and entries when the passport is returned. The visa cannot last longer than your biometrics, which are valid for ten years.
At the Canadian border, an officer decides on entry and the length of stay. Carry the invitation, employer letter and return ticket.
Canada visa questions
Is there a separate Canadian business visa?
No. Business visitors use the visitor visa, applied for online with IRCC.
How much does a Canadian visitor visa cost?
CAD 100 for the visa plus CAD 85 for biometrics.
Where do I give biometrics in Pakistan?
At a visa application centre in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi.
How long does it take?
IRCC’s estimate was 58 days in its 4 November 2026 update. It changes weekly.
Planning a Canada business trip?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips, and our team works 24/7 for travellers on the road. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.