{"id":2489,"date":"2026-11-12T20:53:54","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/what-visitors-can-do-in-canada\/"},"modified":"2026-11-12T20:53:54","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:53:54","slug":"what-visitors-can-do-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/what-visitors-can-do-in-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"What visitors can and can’t do in Canada: work, study and length of stay"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Reviewed November 12, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Sundeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2018, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated November 12, 2026: the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and IRCC guidance checked that day.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Length of stay:<\/strong> usually up to 6 months, unless the border officer sets another date.<\/p>\n

Work:<\/strong> not allowed without authorization, except limited business visitor activities.<\/p>\n

Why a lawyer:<\/strong> breaking visitor conditions can lead to removal and refusals for years. Why a lawyer<\/a><\/p>\n

Book a consultation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Our immigration lawyers<\/p>\n

\"SundeepSundeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PrabhpreetPrabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PardeepPardeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\nAbout our lawyers<\/summary>\n
\n

Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.<\/p>\n

Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/a><\/strong> focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.<\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

Visitors to Canada can travel, see family, attend events and do some business activities, but the rules are stricter than many people expect. Most visitors can stay up to six months unless the border officer sets a different date. Visitors can’t work without authorization, and the line between helping out and working matters: a parent helping in a family business can be reported. Visitors can take short courses without a study permit, but longer programs need one. Breaking these conditions can lead to a removal order and refusals on future applications, so it’s worth getting advice before any activity that looks like work.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, advises visitors on their conditions and handles enforcement and refusal problems; this guide is by Sundeep S. Grewal.<\/p>\n

Can and can’t<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Visitor activities<\/caption>\n
Activity<\/th>\nAllowed?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Tourism, family visits, events<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Business meetings, conferences, buying for a foreign employer<\/td>\nYes, as a business visitor (IRPR ss. 186\u2013187)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Short courses<\/td>\nYes, if the program is 6 months or less (IRPR s. 188)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Working for a Canadian employer, or in a family business<\/td>\nNo, without a work permit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Staying past the authorized date<\/td>\nNo; apply for a visitor record before it ends<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

When it goes wrong<\/h2>\n

A visitor reported for working can face an inadmissibility report and removal. See a visiting parent reported for working<\/a>. Overstaying can lead to the same result; see restoration of status<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why talk to a lawyer before doing more than visiting?<\/h2>\n

One lawyer, one file, every step:<\/strong><\/p>\n