North America
Canada Visa Guide
Digital Nomad Strategy permits 6-month remote stays
Quick answer
Canada offers 11 visa categories, including business visitor visas, courtesy visas, diplomat visas, and Express Entry work routes. Business visitor visas allow stays of up to 6 months per visit [1], while Express Entry provides work routes for skilled workers [9][10]. Other categories include diplomatic and official visas [7][8].
At a glance
Canada's 2023 Digital Nomad Strategy clarifies that remote workers for foreign employers can stay up to 6 months on visitor visas without a work permit, with potential pathways to transition to employer-sponsored permits for those who find local opportunities.
Visa options in Canada (42)
Tourist / short-stay
Work
Business Visitor Visa
Typically up to 6 months per visit
Express Entry
work
Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class)
work
Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program)
work
Express Entry Visa
work
International Co-op Internship Visa
work
International Experience Canada (IEC)
up to 2 years
Provincial Nominee Program
work
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
work
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Visa
work
Provincial Nominee Program Visa
work
Work Permit
work
Work Permit (Work Visa)
work
Working Holiday Visa
Up to 2 years
Young Professionals Visa
work
Investor / entrepreneur
Quebec Entrepreneur Program
Maximum 2 years, renewable
Quebec Entrepreneur Visa
Up to 6 months
Quebec Investor Program
entrepreneur
Quebec Investor Visa
entrepreneur
Self-Employed Persons Program
entrepreneur
Self-Employed Persons Visa
entrepreneur
Start-Up Visa
entrepreneur
Family
Other visa types
Business Visitor Visa (B-1)
other
Courtesy Visa
other
Courtesy Visa (C-1)
Typically up to 6 months
Diplomat Visa (D-1)
Typically up to 6 months
Diplomatic Visa
other
Diplomatic and Official Visa
other
Facilitation Visa
other
Facilitation Visa (F-1)
Up to 6 months per visit
Immigrant Visa (IM-1)
Typically up to 6 months
Official Visa
Up to 6 months per visit
Permanent Resident Visa (Immigrant Visa)
per visit
Refugee and Humanitarian Visa
other
Study Permit (Student Visa)
other
Transit Visa
up to 48 hours
Am I eligible for anything here?
Canada's visa eligibility depends heavily on:
- Your nationality — some visas apply nationality-based exclusions or bilateral agreements
- Your income and financial situation
- How long you want to stay
- Whether you're bringing dependents
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Canada for business purposes?
Yes, for business visits, you may need a Business Visitor Visa, which allows stays of up to 6 months per visit [1]. There is also a B-1 variant [2].
Related destinations
United States
Comparable North America destination
Visa guide
Thailand
Comparable Southeast Asia destination
Visa guide
Vietnam
Comparable Southeast Asia destination
Visa guide
Japan
Comparable Asia destination
Visa guide
Indonesia
Comparable Southeast Asia destination
Visa guide
Germany
Comparable Europe destination
Visa guide
Sources
One numbered entry per specific claim — several entries may point to the same underlying document, each with its own locator.
- [1]
Business Visitor Visa — Work route, Typically up to 6 months per visit
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [2]
Business Visitor Visa (B-1) — Other route
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [3]
Courtesy Visa — Other route
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [4]
Courtesy Visa (C-1) — Other route, Typically up to 6 months
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [5]
Diplomat Visa (D-1) — Other route, Typically up to 6 months
Terminal: no_dedicated_visa · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [6]
Diplomat Visa (D-1) — Other route, Typically up to 6 months
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [7]
Diplomatic Visa — Other route
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [8]
Diplomatic and Official Visa — Other route
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [9]
Express Entry — Work route
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [10]
Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class) — Work route
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [11]
Effective tax-rate estimate for foreign residents (~25%)
VisaBook internal estimate (soft-preference data) · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linkedVisaBook internal soft-preference estimate used by Search filters — not an official statistic.
- [12]
Affordability index and climate tags
VisaBook internal estimate (soft-preference data) · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linkedVisaBook internal soft-preference estimate used by Search filters — not an official statistic.
This page reflects Canada's officially published visa categories as of the dates above. It is not legal advice. For detailed, case-specific requirements for any visa listed here, see that visa's own page.