Work permits and business visas serve distinct purposes for international travelers
Employers can send employees to different countries for various corporate activities, including attending conferences, training, networking and work projects. Work permits and business visas both grant foreign nationals legal entry into a foreign country to conduct activities, but the two have distinct purposes.
Business visas generally only allow holders to participate in tasks that are not considered work or gainful employment, while work permits grant holders the ability to perform services that would be considered productive work in the host location.
Understanding the difference between a work permit and
business visas
What is a business visa?
Government authorities issue business visas to travelers who intend to conduct permissible business activities and attend meetings that do not constitute labor or employment in a specific country.
Common activities performed on a business visa include:
- Attending meetings
- Attending business events/conferences
- Investigating business opportunities and ventures
The most critical element is that business visas typically involve only business logistics and relations, not actual labor or services.
However, the permissions granted to a holder of a business visa differ from country to country. For instance, some countries allow business visa holders to perform the installation of goods (hardware, machinery) after a sale, while other countries may require a work permit for this same service. Some countries even offer foreign nationals of select countries the option to conduct permissible business activities without requiring a visa.
Business visas are also often different from work permits as they are only granted for a temporary short-term period while, generally, work permits can be granted for longer periods. Many business visas are valid for 30 to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, some business visas are granted for as little as 15 days or for periods longer than 90 days.?
The conditions of entry often vary as well, with some business visas permitting multiple entries into the country of issuance throughout the duration of its validity.
What is a work permit?
Work permits are issued by government authorities to foreign nationals who earn an income or compensation through work performed overseas or provide temporary services in the host location. Productive work in this context is defined differently depending on the activity and the host country.
Common reasons to apply for a work permit:
- Obtaining full-time or part-time employment
- Project-based activity
- Working under contract
- Transferred from a host entity to an affiliated entity located in another country
Work permits allow foreign nationals to engage in paid work, contracted labor, or any activity that a country would interpret as requiring an income or compensation. The duration of a work permit varies significantly from country to country, with some remaining valid for six months or as long as a year or more.
The process for obtaining a work permit is generally longer and more in-depth than a business visa, and the timeline and application processes vary greatly by country. Ultimately, each country has different requirements to apply for a work permit, so before moving forward with the permit application process for an employee, be sure to consult with your legal team to determine what the country of interest interprets as "work."
Work permits and business visas in the U.S.
Visas used for entry into the U.S. are issued by the Department of State.?
The B-1 visa for Business Visitors allows individuals to take short trips to the U.S. to conduct business matters such as meetings and attending conferences.?
On the other hand, foreign nationals seeking work authorization in the U.S. can apply for a variety of different temporary work visas. Each has different eligibility criteria based on the type of work being performed.
Entry permissions and terms differ based on the destination country and the traveler's background. Envoy's Global Legal Team helps clients determine which work authorization is most appropriate, and, based on that determination, outlines what documents are required and how to navigate the resulting process.
Originally published 04 October 2022
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
