Can I use B1 visa (Visitor-Business) to travel to the Canada without a business purpose?

Can I use B1 visa (Visitor-Business) to travel to the Canada without a business purpose? - City Buildings Near Sea Under Blue Sky

I got a B1 visa (Visitor-Business) for Canada in 2012 when I traveled to Canada for a business trip from my company. It expires in 2015 and I'd love to visit the Canada again, but for no other purpose than traveling, visiting family.

I want to know, If I can legally travel to Canada with B1 visa without a real business need (assuming I'm honest);

I live in India, and I have B1/B2 from US and used same Visa for Business & Personal visits multiple times.



Best Answer

When you get a Canadian visa it has a "category" printed on it. For most short term visitors to Canada the category will be either "V-1 Visitor" or "B-1 Business Visitor".

Legally speaking these two categories are identical, and are just labels on the Temporary Resident Visa. The only difference is the reason you stated on your application for your initial visit. In fact most official Canadian documentation doesn't refer to the B-1 or V-1 categories at all, they just talk about the Temporary Resident Visa. You use the same application form for both business and tourism, and the link specifically says "there is no separate application for business visitors". If you want to know what you can do with such a visa, look up the terms for the Temporary Resident Visa.

TRVs come in two types - single entry and multiple entry. If it was multiple entry, and it is still valid, then you can return to Canada as often as you like for either business or tourism purposes. There are limits on how long you can stay, and you can't work in Canada, but the visa is legal for both business and tourist purposes.

This appears to give the category codes, but I can't vouch for its accuracy.




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Can I travel to Canada as a tourist on a business visa?

No, business visitors who need a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) must complete the visitor visa or eTA form. The eTA and visitor visa cover all visitors, including those coming to Canada on business.

Can I travel to Canada on U.S. B1 visa?

B-1 or B-2 Visas: During your visit to the U.S., you may visit Canada or Mexico for up to 30 days and re-enter the U.S. as long as you re-enter within the period noted on the Form I-94 which you received when you first entered.

Can I use my B1 visa for tourism?

An approved B 1 B2 visa allows the holder to engage in both short-term business and tourism activities while in the United States.

Can I apply for Canada visa from USA as a visitor?

If you are not an American or permanent resident of the U.S., but you live in the U.S., and are a national of a country whose citizens require a visa to enter Canada: New visitor visa applications can be submitted to the visa offices in Los Angeles, Seattle, Detroit, or New York.



B1 / B2 is Tourist / Visitor Visa NOT Good for Working or Doing Business in USA | Don't Abuse Visa




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Luis Ruiz, Scott Webb, Andre Furtado, Tim Gouw