November 2015
TEMPLATE FOR BUSINESS VISITOR
Please use appropriate letterhead for invitation.
NOTES: Please delete
 Duration of stay is less than 6 months
 Does not plan to enter the Canadian labour market
 Business visitors discuss matters of mutual interest (e.g. research activities)
 No employer – employee relationship may exist between the foreign visitor and Host
 Visitor’s place of business and main source of overall remuneration must exist outside Canada
Dear -----:
I am pleased to offer you an invitation to visit Western University in London, Ontario as a Business
Visitor in the Department of -----, Faculty of ------. This invitation will commence on [insert date] and
terminate on [insert date].
For immigration purposes, you will be considered a Business Visitor and will be employment
authorization exempt under R186(a).
There is no remuneration from Western for this visit. Insert following funding statement only if
receiving travel and accommodation expenses through the Visiting University Scholar Program: We will
pay for the cost of your air travel and accommodation up to a maximum of $___ while you are visiting
Western. This amount will be in addition to any financial support provided by your home institution,
name of institution, insert address.
During your visit to Western, your activities will include collaboration on a research project of mutual
interest on insert information on project as well as participating in insert information on other activities
such as participating in seminars, etc.
Foreign nationals who meet the immigration definition of Business Visitors are permitted to enter
Canada without a work permit per regulation 186(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
You will need to provide other documentation to demonstrate your visit as a Business Visitor including
the following information:
 This letter of invitation as a Business Visitor from Western University
 Passport verifying your identity and citizenship that is valid beyond the duration of this
invitation
 Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (if necessary, dependent on citizenship)
 Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) (if necessary, dependent on citizenship)
 Medical Examination, dependent on origin country and length of stay
Please consult with the Canadian Consulate or Embassy nearest you to ensure you have the appropriate
documentation and paperwork required to facilitate your visit to Canada as a Business Visitor for the
period specified in this letter. This may include a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and/or an Electronic
Travel Authorization (eTA). All citizens of visa countries require a TRV to enter Canada and applications
for a TRV must be maid prior to your visit. All citizens who are from a visa exempt country (except U.S.
citizens) and entering Canada by air, must obtain an eTA prior to your visit. Please reference the
following websites for more information http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp and
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/business.asp
You will be expected to comply with Western’s applicable policies and procedures, which can be
accessed at http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/policies_procedures/index.html .
If your visit is longer than 21 days, you will be required to purchase health insurance coverage through
the University Health Insurance Plan (http://www.uhip.ca). On your first day at Western, please visit
Human Resources, Room 5100, Support Services Building (519.661.2194) to purchase UHIP.
We look forward to your visit with us.
Sincerely,
Name
I hereby accept this opportunity to visit Western University in London Ontario, to conduct activities
indicated herein and subject to the conditions as indicated in this letter of invitation.
I understand that in order for the invitation to remain valid, I must return a copy of this document
indicating my acceptance, no later than [insert date and contact name]. Please retain a copy of the offer
for your files.
_____________________________
Signature – Name
cc.
_________________________
Date
Office of Faculty Recruitment
Name, Faculty/Department/Unit Administrator