Regulation 220 — Visitors — permitted activities
Text of provision
An officer shall not issue a study permit to a foreign national, other than one described in paragraph 215(1)(d) or (e), unless they have sufficient and available financial resources, without working in Canada, to
(a) pay the tuition fees for the course or program of studies that they intend to pursue;
(b) maintain themself and any family members who are accompanying them during their proposed period of study; and
(c) pay the costs of transporting themself and the family members referred to in paragraph (b) to and from Canada.
Plain English
Regulation 220 provides that a foreign national in Canada as a visitor may participate in activities that are incidental to their visit — tourism, visiting family or friends, conducting business meetings, attending conferences, or short courses of less than six months that do not lead to a credential. Visitors may not engage in employment or work and may not enroll in full-time programs at educational institutions without a work or study permit.
Practical effect
The boundary between permissible business visitor activities (meetings, contract negotiations, post-sales activities) and impermissible work can be unclear in specific factual situations. In general: if the visitor is performing work that is part of the Canadian labour market, has a Canadian employer, and is receiving compensation from a Canadian source, the activity is likely "work" requiring a work permit. Business visitors who receive their salary from a foreign employer and are in Canada for a limited purpose are generally permitted. CBSA officers at ports of entry assess this on a case-by-case basis.