Canada visitor visa applicants must show that they meet Canada’s temporary resident requirements before travelling for tourism, family visits, business activities or other short-term purposes.
A Canada visitor visa is also called a temporary resident visa, or TRV.
The visa is placed in a passport and confirms that the holder has met the requirements to travel to Canada, but it does not guarantee entry.
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Who Needs A Canada Visitor Visa?
Most travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or visa-exempt foreign nationals need a Canada visitor visa to travel to Canada.
The required travel document depends on the traveller’s nationality, the country that issued the travel document and whether the person arrives by air, land or water.
Some travellers who do not need a visitor visa may need an electronic travel authorization, or eTA, when flying to Canada. As of May 26, 2026, some citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia may qualify to apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa when travelling to Canada by air, if they meet the applicable conditions.
Travellers should use the official Government of Canada entry-document tool before applying because a visa may not be the correct document for every nationality or travel situation.
A person transiting through Canada may also need a visitor visa or a transit visa, depending on their nationality, travel document, route and transit circumstances.
Canada Visitor Visa Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must satisfy an immigration officer that they meet the requirements for temporary entry to Canada.
Applicants generally need a valid passport or other acceptable travel document.
They must also satisfy the officer that they are in good health and have no relevant criminal or immigration-related convictions.
The applicant must demonstrate that they have ties, such as employment, a home, financial assets or family, that will encourage them to return to their country of residence.
They must convince the officer that they will leave Canada at the end of the authorized visit.
Applicants must also have enough money to support themselves during the trip. IRCC does not publish one universal minimum bank balance for every visitor visa applicant.
The amount considered sufficient can depend on the length of the visit, accommodation arrangements, travel plans and whether the applicant is staying with relatives or friends.
Some applicants may need a medical examination or an invitation letter from a person or business in Canada.
An applicant can also be refused or found inadmissible for security, criminality, human-rights, organized-crime, health, financial, misrepresentation or other immigration-related reasons.
Documents For A Canada Visitor Visa Application
IRCC provides a personalized document checklist after applicants complete the online questionnaire.
The exact documents can vary according to the applicant’s country, travel history, purpose of travel, family situation and place of application.
Common supporting evidence can include the following:
- A valid passport or travel document.
- Evidence explaining the purpose and proposed dates of the visit.
- A travel itinerary, accommodation information or details of the host’s address.
- Bank statements or other evidence showing access to sufficient funds.
- An employment letter, approved leave, business records or other evidence of ongoing work.
- Evidence of family, property, education or other ties outside Canada.
- Travel history, including previous visas, entry stamps or permits where relevant.
- A letter of invitation and information about the inviter’s status in Canada when the visit involves a host.
A letter of invitation can help explain the relationship, purpose and arrangements for a visit, but it does not guarantee visa approval.
The applicant remains responsible for proving that the visit is temporary and that the applicant will comply with Canadian immigration rules.
Documents that are not in English or French may require translation according to IRCC instructions.
Applicants should provide truthful, consistent information because omissions or misleading information can result in refusal and possible immigration consequences.
How To Apply For A Canada Visitor Visa
Most applicants must apply online through an IRCC application portal.
The online process normally involves completing the questionnaire, preparing the personalized checklist, uploading documents and paying the required fees.
Applicants should review every answer before submitting the application.
A complete application can reduce delays caused by missing documents, unanswered questions or requests for clarification.
Applicants may be asked to provide additional documents, attend an interview, complete a medical examination or provide other information during processing.
Paper applications are limited to specific situations, including applicants who cannot apply online because of a disability or people travelling with certain refugee, stateless-person or non-citizen travel documents.
Canada Visitor Visa Fees And Biometrics
The current IRCC processing fee for an individual visitor visa is CAD $100.
The maximum visitor visa processing fee for a family of five or more people applying together at the same time and place is CAD $500.
Single-entry and multiple-entry visitor visas have the same processing fee.
IRCC decides which type of visa to issue based on the application and the applicant’s circumstances.
Applicants who need biometrics generally pay CAD $85 per person.
The maximum biometrics fee for an eligible family applying together is CAD $170.
Biometrics usually include fingerprints and a photograph.
Applicants who are required to provide biometrics should pay the biometrics fee with the application and complete the collection appointment after receiving the biometrics instruction letter.
Biometrics are generally required for visitor visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 unless an exemption applies.
Some applicants may be exempt, including children under 14, applicants over 79, certain visa-exempt visitors applying for an eTA and other exempt applicants.
Biometrics for temporary residence applications are generally valid for 10 years. Applicants should confirm their status through IRCC’s official biometrics service.
Canada Visitor Visa Processing Times
Visitor visa processing times vary according to the country from which the applicant applies and the details of the application.
IRCC’s processing-time tool provides an estimate for visitor visa applications submitted from outside Canada.
The estimate is not a maximum processing period or a guarantee. The IRCC visitor visa page advises that its processing-time estimate does not include the time needed to give biometrics.
Processing can take longer when an application is incomplete, requires additional verification, involves a complex background review or receives a delayed response to an IRCC request.
Applicants should avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements before receiving a decision and any required passport instructions.
How Long Can A Visitor Stay In Canada?
Most visitors can stay in Canada for up to six months.
The border services officer at the port of entry can authorize a shorter or longer period based on the circumstances of the visit.
The officer may record a departure date in the passport or issue a visitor record showing when the visitor must leave.
If the passport is not stamped and no visitor record is issued, the visitor can generally stay for six months from the date of entry, or until the passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.
The validity period of the visa is different from the length of each authorized stay in Canada.
A visitor visa may generally be valid for up to 10 years, or until the passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.
An officer may issue a shorter validity period depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Can Visitors Work Or Study In Canada?
A visitor visa does not by itself authorize employment in Canada.
Visitors are generally not allowed to work unless they have separate authorization under Canadian immigration rules.
In many situations, a work permit is required before beginning employment.
A visitor may be able to study without a study permit when the program is six months or less and meets the applicable conditions.
A study permit is normally required for a program lasting more than six months.
People whose main purpose is work or long-term study should apply under the appropriate temporary residence category rather than using a visitor visa as a substitute.
Extending A Stay In Canada
A visitor who wants to remain in Canada beyond the authorized stay should apply for a visitor record before the current status expires.
IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before the authorized end date.
A visitor record extends or changes a person’s status in Canada, but it is not a visitor visa for re-entry after travelling outside Canada.
The expiry date of the visitor’s status is based on the passport stamp, visitor record or applicable six-month rule, not simply the expiry date printed on the visa.
Common Canada Visitor Visa Refusal Issues
A visitor visa can be refused when the officer is not satisfied that the applicant will leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay.
Weak evidence of employment, finances, family obligations or residence outside Canada can make it difficult to establish temporary intent.
Unclear travel plans, inconsistent answers, unexplained deposits or incomplete documentation can also create concerns.
A refusal letter identifies the reasons for the decision. IRCC now generally provides an officer decision note with most temporary resident visa refusal letters.
Applicants should address the specific refusal reasons before submitting a new application because filing the same information again is unlikely to change the result.
What To Carry When Travelling To Canada
A valid visitor visa and travel document do not guarantee admission to Canada.
Travellers should carry documents that support the purpose and arrangements of the trip, such as proof of accommodation, a return or onward itinerary, invitation details and evidence of available funds.
The border services officer may ask questions about the visit, the intended length of stay and the traveller’s plans to leave Canada.
Travellers must comply with the conditions imposed at entry and leave Canada by the authorized date unless they obtain an approved extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Canada visitor visa cost?
The current processing fee is CAD $100 per person. A family of five or more applying together may pay a maximum processing fee of CAD $500. Applicants who need biometrics generally pay CAD $85 per person, with a family maximum of CAD $170.
How long can I stay in Canada with a visitor visa?
Most visitors can stay for up to six months, but a border services officer may authorize a shorter or longer period and may issue a visitor record with a specific departure date.
Does a Canada visitor visa guarantee entry?
No. A visitor visa permits travel to Canada for examination at the border, but the border services officer makes the final decision on admission and the authorized length of stay.
Can I work in Canada with a visitor visa?
A visitor visa does not by itself authorize work. Most people need a work permit or another form of authorization before beginning employment in Canada.
Can I apply for a Canada visitor visa online?
Most applicants must apply online through an IRCC portal. Paper applications are limited to specific situations, such as certain disabilities or eligible travel-document circumstances.
Fact-Checked: Checked against current official IRCC and Government of Canada visitor visa, eligibility, fee, biometrics, processing-time, arrival and visitor-record guidance.
Disclaimer: This article is general information and does not replace personalized advice from IRCC or a qualified Canadian immigration professional.
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