Do Canadians need a UK ETA or a Business Visitor Visa for UK travel?

Most Canadian passport holders visiting the UK for short business trips use an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), not a visit visa. This is because Canada is a visa-exempt country for UK visits. If you are a Canadian visa holder and not a permanent resident, you may need to apply for a Visitor visa instead of an ETA, depending if you are from a visa-required country (a visa-national) or not. An ETA and a Visitor visa both authorise travel to the UK for visits of up to 6 months at a time.

While an ETA application is normally simple with a few select questions, a Visitor visa application can be more complex with documentation required to prove you are a “genuine visitor”. Neither guarantees entry. That decision to enter is still made at the border, but as long as your purpose of visit aligns with your application and you’ve not intended to deceive immigration officials, entry is usually straightforward on an ETA.

In some circumstances, if you have previously broken immigration law, faced visa refusals, or have had criminal convictions, you might require a Visitor visa or be subject to the same application process even if you qualify for an ETA (by being a Canadian citizen).

Differences between Business Visitor Visa and ETA

When a full Business Visitor visa may be needed

• Travellers who are not Canadian passport holders and are visa-nationals for the UK
• People with unusual circumstances or past immigration issues who are advised to apply in advance
• Anyone asked by the UK authorities to obtain a visa despite otherwise being eligible for ETA

How to apply for an ETA from Canada

• Apply on the official UK website or the UK ETA app
• Fee is £16 paid online
• Have a valid passport, a digital photo, an email address, and a bank card or mobile wallet
• Apply at least 72 hours before departure to allow time for checks
• Avoid third-party copycat sites that add fees or ask for extra data

The documents required will vary depending on individual circumstances. Generally, you will need to submit:

• Two extra standard or passport size full-colour photographs
• Your current and valid passport with at least one blank page for the Business Visitor Visa. Your current passport must be valid for at least three months after your travel dates in the UK.
• Sufficient evidence of your financial assets and source of income. You will need to provide documents as proof that show you have enough money to support yourself adequately for the duration of your time in the UK. You will typically need to provide the last six months of statements from your bank or payslips from your place of business
• Details of your accommodations in the UK including residence details, cost, and location.
• A detailed itinerary showing the business activities you will partake in while in the UK. Your itinerary should show the details including dates and locations of business events that you will be attending while in the UK as well as the dates of your travel to and from the country.
• Your prior passports and documents show your travel history over the past 10 years prior to your application. This can include previous immigration documents, previous visa applications or other valid travel documents.
• Strong evidence showing sufficient ties to Canada and proof that you plan to return to Canada or another country following the valid term of your visa.
• Your employment information includes the contact details of your employer in Canada.
• The receipt of the application fee
• Criminal records or documents pertaining to criminal record, if applicable
• Any relevant academic and professional certificates, former business visitor visas, or relevant business documents such as a free trade agreement
• Certified translations of any documents that were not originally in English
• A letter from your Canadian employer confirming that you are travelling to the UK in order to partake in specific international business activities that are short-term (less than six months) and unpaid/ not for profit. The letter should confirm your dates of travel and the purpose of your trip.
• A letter from the hosting institution or organization in the UK confirming that the reason for your travel is professional in nature. This can be an invitation to a conference or expo, or a confirmation of a business event that you are speaking at.
• You may need to provide evidence that you are in good health and are not a health risk

You must apply for this visa within three months of when you plan to leave Canada to travel to the UK, you cannot apply earlier than three months.

You can apply as late as 48 hours before you plan to travel but keep in mind that it typically takes several weeks for your application to be processed so you are likely to have to delay your travel until the visa is approved.

To apply for this visa, first, check that you meet the eligibility requirements necessary for the Business Visitor Visa and that you do not require a separate type of work visas such as the Skilled Worker or a Global Business Mobility visa.

Then, gather the documentation required. This is a crucial step as the most common reason for a Business Visitor Visa to be rejected is not providing sufficient documentation to support the basis of your visa.

You will be able to fill out the online application at the UK government website at gov.uk. The application will ask you for various personal details regarding your life and your employment as well as the nature of your travel.

Once you have submitted your application, you will need to schedule an appointment at a visa application centre and attend an interview.

You should receive a decision on your visa within approximately three weeks from when you submit your application. You may be able to pay an additional fee at the visa application centre to have the process expedited and receive a faster decision.

If you are unclear about the application process then reach out to an immigration expert for advice, especially as any fees are non-refundable even if your application is denied.

Demonstrating “Genuine Visitor” Intent

• You need to demonstrate that you are visiting for a short, specific business purpose, that you can afford the trip without relying on work in the UK, and that you will depart when the visit concludes.
• Make the purpose of visit clear
• Invitation from the UK host naming dates, locations, and the business agenda
• Evidence of ongoing employment or study in your home country
• Simple itinerary that shows a short stay and any activities you plan to do during your visit. Check they are permitted

Show strong ties to Canada

• Letter from your Canadian employer confirming your job title, where you work, how you are paid, and that your role continues after the trip
• Proof of commitments at home, such as work schedules or upcoming meetings
  Show you can fund the trip
  Recent bank statements that demonstrate sufficient funds for the duration and nature of the visit.
  Return or onward ticket and accommodation booking

You will be required to have your biometric information was taken (fingerprints and a photograph) at visa application centre. You need to make an appointment and may pay an additional fee at a visa application centre.

At your visa appointment, you will also need to provide supporting documents that prove you’re eligible for a Business Visitor visa.

The Business Visitor Visa shares the same fee as all Standard Visitor Visas. The application fee will be a cost approximately £127 per applicant.

You may incur additional fees from third-party services you may use to obtain documentation, such as translators, accountants, or if you choose to pay for expedited service.

For more information or assistance with acquiring the UK Business Visitor visa from Canada, please call +1 844 290 6312 or contact us online.

Bringing Children on a Leisure and (Predominantly) Business Trip

Regardless of their nationality, any non-British or non-Irish citizen or settler must have either an ETA or a Visitor visa to travel to the UK. There are no other exceptions, since Europeans were also added to the ETA list to apply from April 2025. This includes babies, infants, and school-age children.

If you are bringing minors on your business trip (or business leisure trip) you should consider how your itinerary changes due to their presence. The main purpose of your Business Visitor visa should be business. As such, you should arrange for childcare (such as a relative already in the UK), childcare services or your partner accompanying you who may apply for a Standard Visitor visa with a different purpose of visit.

Regardless of if you are travelling under an ETA or a Visitor visa you will need to show:

• Your relationship to your child (such as a birth certificate or custody document).
• Consent from the other parent if the child travels with one parent. Custody documents may be required in the case that you have sole responsibility for the child
• Contact details should be supplied for the non-travelling parent(s)
• Consent from both parents if the child will travel and stay with another caregiver in the UK. This would not apply if you are travelling with the child

Travelling as a Business Group

Travelling as a business group can be easier for businesses to coordinate. While each applicant applies individually with any family members, the business does not need to supply multiple copies of the same document outlining itineraries and permissions. You may also provide a consistent cover letter (but not necessarily the same) to explain your purpose for travelling with colleagues.

If you are working with an immigration lawyer, you would typically appoint a group lead or a company representative to liaise with on multiple Business Visitor visa or ETA applications. This can vary within the group, as to which is required, and an immigration case worker can help manage this and identify nuances in applications.

Business hosts for Canadian business visitors

If your UK organisation is hosting Canadian visitors, provide clear paperwork and keep activities within the visitor rules.

What a UK host should provide

• Invitation on letterhead that sets dates, locations, agenda, and a named contact with phone and email
• Statement on who covers costs and confirmation that no UK salary will be paid
• Short confirmation that the activities fall within the Standard Visitor business rules

What UK hosts should avoid
• Assigning duties that amount to paid work in the UK
• Putting a visitor on UK payroll or paying fees from a UK source
• Using repeat short visits to cover what is essentially an on-site role

Common refusal reasons and how to mitigate them

Insufficient evidence of purpose

One of the most common reasons for refusal of a UK Business Visitor visa is not providing sufficient evidence of your intentions in the UK. The Home Office scrutinises any unclear itineraries. If immigration officials feel there are clear omissions in your applications, questions may be asked about your purpose for coming to the UK. If it is believed you might be coming for a reason other than for permitted business activities, it could lead to slow decisions (and the Home Office asking follow-up questions), or an outright refusal.

You can usually resolve this issue by aligning dates with your evidence and utilising multiple pieces of documentation. For example, these may include an invitation letter, an employer’s letter, an itinerary, a meeting calendar, flight information, and hotel details.

Funds not evidenced

If your recent statements and cash balances do not align with your planned trip, and it is deemed you do not have the finances required for your itinerary, you may be refused a visa.

Ensure you include statements that clearly cover travel, accommodation, and daily costs.

Unclear return intent

One of the most important factors of a business visit to the UK under a visiting permission is to show that you have a return flight booked. If you do not have onward travel planned, you could be refused a visa. Open-ended stays might be further scrutinised.

Misunderstanding the business visitor rules

Any misunderstanding of permitted activities while in the UK could result in a visa refusal. Ensure that you do not intend to undertake any paid work or paid consulting from a UK source. Any payment received on a Business Visitor visa should be from your overseas employer. You may apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa (part of the Visitor visa route) if you plan on paid work assignments, projects, talks or seminars. For longer-term business projects that permit further business activities, you may consider a Global Business Mobility visa, such as a UK Expansion Worker visa or UK Contract Supplier visa.

Inconsistencies or immigration history concerns

Accounting for all Standard Visitor visas in the UK, inconsistencies and travel history concerns is the most likely to result in refusals. The Home Office does not “take risks” with potential overstayers. You must prove to the Home Office “beyond reasonable doubt” that you will not overstay your UK visa. This can be done with factual explanations, evidence, and addressing previous overstays if you have any. Always be open and honest.

When to seek legal review

If you face any of the challenges above, you are unsure if your planned activities are permitted, if the Business Visitor visa or ETA is right for you, or if you believe you were wrongly refused, our experts can help you plan your next steps.

Corporate compliance checklist

Regardless of whether you are applying for visitor permissions or a different type of visa as a business, it is essential to organise your schedules and documentation to simplify the process. An Immigration lawyer can help your HR and Procurement teams to prepare and apply, simplifying processes step by step. To comply with the process of multiple applications, you can:

• Ensure any invitations from UK branches are issued and the itinerary matches room bookings and diary entries
• Each business visitor’s plans are restricted to permitted business tasks, or arrange another more appropriate visa.
• There is no UK-source payment or UK payroll involvement
  Return flights and accommodation are confirmed
  A named contact is ready to answer calls from UK authorities if needed or from an immigration lawyer if you appoint a solicitor to oversee your applications.
• Records kept of invitations issued and visitors hosted
• All documentation showing the purpose of a visit is consistent
• All individual circumstances are accounted for (such as some employees bringing children or family) as part of their own application

Checklist for Canadian travellers

• Apply for ETA on the official site or app and pay £16 (if you are a Canadian national or are considered a non-visa national in the UK. Apply for a Business Visitor visa costing £127 if not.
• Apply with, and later carry an invitation, employer letter, proof of funds, return ticket, and hotel booking
• Keep activities within the permitted business list
• Ensure every traveller, including children, have an ETA or visa
• Hosts should issue a clear invitation, name a contact, and avoid assigning work that requires sponsorship
• Space out trips and keep them short to avoid the appearance of residence
• If UK-source payment is required, use a route that permits paid work