Canada Visitor Visa

What is a Canada Visitor Visa?

A Canada visitor visa or TRV allows non-citizens and non-permanent residents of Canada to enter the country legally for a specific duration and purpose. Visitors may be permitted into Canada for the following reasons:

• To visit family
• To visit Canada for a holiday
• To conduct business
• To assume a diplomatic post
• To join a family member assuming a diplomatic post
• To join a vessel
• To get the Canada-Ukraine authorisation for emergency travel

Do I need a Canada visitor visa, or am I exempt?

Anyone visiting Canada will need a Canadian visitor visa, except those from visa-exempt countries. Nationals of certain other countries will only require an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).

However, suppose you are of a different nationality and are not permitted to hold an eTA, or you’re entering Canada to work or study. In that case, you’ll need to apply for a valid visa (a valid study permit, work permit, or permanent residence).

US citizens do not need a tourist visa or eTA to enter Canada.

Canadian permanent residents and dual citizens (such as British Canadians) are not issued visitor visas. To enter the country, they need only a valid Canadian passport.

You can apply for a Canada visitor visa online or in person, but you must obtain it before you travel to Canada. Canada does not issue a temporary resident visa on arrival.

Individuals on a Canadian visitor visa can obtain a work permit without leaving the country. This temporary policy will be effective until February 28, 2025. Before this new policy, foreign visitors who intended to work were allowed to submit a work permit application from within Canada to their home country’s visa office. If their application was approved, they had to leave Canada to be issued a work permit before re-entering the country.

Types of Canada Visitor Visa

Canadian visitor visas are of two types: single-entry and multiple-entry visas. A single-entry visa is issued in specific situations. By default, all visa applicants are considered for a multiple-entry visa. Another route is Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). For eligible countries, EtA is the fastest route for tourists visiting Canada. 

eTA

You can apply online for an eTA in just a few minutes. It costs CAN$7 and is typically issued within a few days. An etA is available for British citizens and other visa-exempt nations, including multiple European countries such as Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Greece. eTA is also permitted for citizens of New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, for example. Over 50 nations are eligible for it. An eTA is valid for five years or upon your passport’s expiration.

Multiple entry visitor visas 

A multiple-entry Canada visitor visa grants you unlimited entry into Canada for not more than six months at a time. It is valid for ten years or a month before the expiration of your passport, depending on which comes first. You need to arrive in Canada on or before the expiration date of your visa. It is possible to have your visa processed as a family, but each family member must fill out the applicable forms. 

Single entry visa

A single-entry Canada visitor visa allows you to enter Canada once. The full eligibility criteria and requirements for a single entry visa are:

• If the purpose of your entry to Canada is limited (for example, for an official visit by a foreign national). This also qualifies you for a fee exemption.
• If you’re participating in a special event in Canada
• If there are valid country-specific guidelines and procedures in place

In most cases, you must apply again for a new visa once you’ve left Canada.

Who is Eligible for a Canada Visitor Visa?

You must fulfil specific basic requirements to qualify for a Canada tourist visa. To be eligible, you must:

• Have a valid passport
• Have no immigration-related convictions or criminal record
• Provide proof of ties to your home country (job, family, financial assets, or home) to show that you intend to return to your home country.
• Show the immigration officer that you do not intend to stay longer than the period specified in your visa.
• Provide proof of funds to show you have sufficient funds for your trip. The funds required depend on your arrangements, whether you’re staying with family or in a hotel.
• State your intended duration of stay and temporary residence

Not everyone can obtain a Canada tourist visa. Some persons may be inadmissible for specific reasons. You might not qualify for a visitor visa if you:

• Have a criminal record
• Have been involved in organised crime
• Have been involved in human rights violations

Some persons might also be inadmissible for health and medical reasons. A person may be denied a tourist visa due to medical reasons if:

• They are considered a threat to public health
• They are considered a threat to public safety
• There is an excessive demand for health or social services

What Documents are Required for the Canada Visitor Visa Application?

The documents required for your TRV application depend on the purpose of your visit. Here are all the necessary documents for your visitor visa application:

• Canada Tourist Visa application form
• Valid passport with an expiration date of not less than six months
• Two recent passport photographs (not older than 90 days)
• Completed Family Information form (IMM 5645)
• If a family member is applying on your behalf, then the use of a representative (IMM 5476) form will be required
• Minor children’s document (needed if a child under 18 is travelling with a single parent, a friend, a relative, or alone)
• A letter of invitation from your friend or family that you are visiting them.

Other documents that may be required to prove your eligibility for a tourist visa include:

• Bank account statement (to prove you have enough money for your trip and duration of stay)
• The visitor’s itinerary includes flight details, hotel booking, and event registration
• Travel history and previously issued visas
• Bank account statement of your family or friend if you’re visiting them
• Authority to release your personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475)

Submit all the necessary travel documents for your application. Ensure you provide complete information in your application package. Also, fill out the Document Checklist (IMM 5484) and submit it alongside your application form and other required documents.

How do I Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa?

You can apply for a Canada tourist visa online or on paper at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). To complete your online application for a visitor visa, you’ll need to create electronic copies of your supporting documents. A scanner or camera will help you do that. You also need a debit or credit card to pay the application fees.

If you’re from a visa-exempt country, you’ll not be able to apply online when using any of the following documents:

• Alien’s passports for stateless persons.
• Other refugee documents for non-citizens.

If you’re using any of these documents for your application, you won’t be considered in an online application. You must visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) for a paper application.

It’s advisable to wait until you’re eligible for a Canadian tourist visa before applying. This will reduce the chances of your application being rejected.

Also, note that specific reasons for visiting are essential to your eligibility.

Providing Your Biometrics

If you’re applying for a TRV for the first time and are between the ages of 14 – 79, you’ll need to provide your biometric data as part of the application process.

Usually, your biometric data verification comes up after you submit your application and pay the biometric fees. You’ll then wait for the Canadian Government to contact you and tell you what to do next.

The biometrics fee is CAN$85 per person.

You must schedule an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to register your biometric data. There are numerous VACs worldwide, and most countries have at least one. The following information will be collected from you during your appointment at the visa office:

• Biography data: This includes your details, such as your full name, sex, date of birth, and other necessary information, as highlighted on the biographic page of your travel document.
• 10 Fingerprints: All your fingerprints will be captured using an electronic fingerprint capture device during the biometric data collection.
• Photograph: a digital photograph of you will be taken

If you are applying for an electronic travel authorisation (eTA), you are typically not required to submit your biometric data.

What is the Cost and Time of Processing a Canada Visitor Visa?

Cost of Processing a Canada Visitor Visa

How much it will cost to process a Canada tourist visa depends on the visa category you’re applying for. Whether individual visitor visa, family tourist visa, visitor visa extension, or visitor status restoration.

A Canadian visitor visa costs CAN$100 per person. Adding the CAN$85 biometrics fee will make a total of CAN$185. You will also have to pay CAN$45 for passport processing.

Here are the costs of obtaining Canada visitor visas.

How long will it take for my Canada Visitor Visa to be Processed?

The wait time for Canada visitor visa processing varies greatly. The time it will take for your tourist visa to be processed depends on the country you are applying from. Typically, it takes a few weeks to a few months for your visa to be ready.

You can use the application processing time checker tool on the official Government website to check time estimates.

Disclaimer: A valid Canadian visitor visa does not guarantee entry into the country. Your access is to be decided by the border service officers at the port of entry. They determine if you meet all the requirements for admission into the country.

Canada Visitor Visa Extension

Whether single or multiple entries, visitor visas allow foreign nationals to live legally in Canada for six months. Your legal status expires at the end of six months (if you’re still in the country), and you must leave Canada. If you wish to extend your stay beyond six months, you must apply for an extension while your temporary resident status remains valid.

You should apply for an extension at least 30 days before your legal status expires. It will cost CAN$100. If your visa expires while your extension is still being processed, you can remain in Canada while waiting for the outcome. This state is called Implied Status.

You’ll be issued a Visitor Record if your extension application is successful.

Visitor Record

A visitor record is a document that states how long you can stay in Canada. Unlike a visitor visa, the visitor record is an independent document not attached to your passport. It is issued by IRCC when your extension application is approved. It usually carries an expiry date – the date you must leave Canada.

A visitor visa is only available when you are inside Canada; it does not guarantee entry. If you leave Canada and want to re-enter, you’ll need a valid entry document.

Requirements for Visitor Visa Extension

To be eligible to apply for a visitor visa extension, you need to meet specific requirements. You have to:

• Be in Canada as at the time of your visa expiration.
• Ensure your passport does not expire within the extended stay period.
• Pay the associated fee for Form IMM 5708.
• Ensure that any other permit will remain valid during the extended stay and won’t interfere with your application.

How to Apply for a Visitor Visa Extension

You should apply for an extension if you’re in Canada and want to stay longer than six months. You can apply either online or on paper. It’s faster and easier to apply online; paper application is only necessary if, for some reason, you can’t apply online.

First, you must have an online IRCC account to apply.

You’ll also need a scanner to make electronic copies of your documents and a debit/credit card to pay the application fee.

While completing your application, you’ll be asked the following questions:

• “What would you want to do in Canada?” Select “visit”
• “What is your current country of residence?” select “Canada.”

Follow the instructions to finish the application, pay your CAN$100 fees, and submit the completed form and application.

Documents required for Visitor Visa Extension

The forms and the complete supporting documents you need to apply for a visitor record are listed below.

• Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay, Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder (IMM 5708) Form.
• Use of Representative (IMM476) Form.
• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475) Form.
• Statutory declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409) (If applicable).
• Copies of valid passport pages. They must include your name, date of birth, passport number, expiry date, the stamp of your most recent entry into Canada, and all other marked pages.
• Payment receipts.
• Copies of your other travel or identity documents.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your extended stay.

Visitor Status Restoration

If you still need to stay in Canada at your visitor’s expiry, you cannot apply for another visa extension. However, you can apply for a visitor status restoration within 90 days of your visa expiration. Application after 90 days will be denied, and you’ll have to leave the country.

To qualify for restoration of status, you must:

• Apply within 90 days of losing your status: within 90 days of the expiry of your status document or within 90 days of the refusal of your extension application.
• Still meet the requirements of your stay.
• Not have failed to comply with any other conditions. For example, you must not have studied without a study permit.
• Proof that you are a genuine temporary resident and will leave Canada at the end of your stay.

You’re not eligible for restoration of status if more than 90 days have passed since your temporary resident status expiry or since the date of refusal on your application for extension of status.

You cannot work or study while your status restoration is being processed. If caught doing so, your restoration of status application will be refused, and you’ll be required to leave Canada.

You can only apply for restoration of status from within Canada. If you apply and leave the country, your application will be refused. You’ll have to apply for a new visa to enter Canada.

Restoration of Status Application Requirements

In applying for restoration of status, you’ll be required to:

• Pay restoration fee: The application to restore your status as a temporary resident costs CAN$229. If you also apply for a work or study permit, you’ll pay the corresponding permit fees and the CAN$229.
• Provide the following details:

1. Proof of current Status in Canada.
2. Why you want to stay longer in Canada
3. When you’ll be leaving Canada, including departure time and date.
4. Proof you’re able to support yourself financially in Canada during your stay.
5. Proof that your stay in Canada is temporary.

Your restoration of status application can be refused for some of the following reasons:

• Failure to provide a valid reason for wanting to extend your stay in Canada.
• Failure to convince the immigration officer that you intend to return home. If the officer perceives that you wish to remain in Canada permanently, he might refuse your application.
• Failure to comply with the conditions of your temporary residency.
• Working without a work permit while your visa was valid.
• Working or studying upon expiration of your temporary resident status.

How Can IAS Help?

Applying for a Canada visitor visa can be a complex process. IAS Canadian immigration lawyers are here to assist you with your tourist visa application and any other visa-related challenge you might be facing.

Our lawyers are highly trained and have decades of experience in immigration law. We’ll help you ensure your application process is smooth and error-free and give you the best chances of success.

For professional advice and assistance with your application, call us on 0333 305 9375 or contact us through our online form.