top of page

A visitor visa, or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), allows individuals to enter Canada for a temporary stay, whether for tourism, business, or visiting family and friends. To qualify, applicants must have a valid passport, be in good health, have no criminal record, demonstrate ties to their home country, and show they have enough funds to support themselves during their stay. There are single-entry and multiple-entry visas, with the latter permitting multiple visits to Canada during the visa's validity. The application process involves completing forms, submitting necessary documents, paying a fee, and possibly providing biometrics.

What is a Canadian Visitor Visa?

The Canada Visitor Visa is a Temporary Resident Visa that allows the holder to travel to Canada for various purposes, including tourism, vacations, and visiting family.


The Canada Tourist Visa lets you visit a Canadian port of entry and request permission to enter the country. Border Patrol officers can approve or deny your entry based on your documents and circumstances.


Suppose you have been granted a Visitor visa for Canada and the officers determine that you have no criminal intentions. In that case, you will be permitted to enter the port and start your vacation or family visit in Canada.

How To Apply?

Applicants who require a visitor visa to enter Canada may apply online, by mail, or in person at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). If you're travelling as a family, each family member, including dependent children, must fill out their application. You may, however, submit all of the applications together. Depending on their nation of citizenship, applicants may be asked to include biometric information in their application. Applicants must submit their fingerprints and a photograph to a biometric collecting service point if biometrics are necessary. When prompted, biometrics can be gathered after completing the tourist visa application or submitting it in person at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Extending Visitor Visa

Visitor visas, whether for single or multiple entries, allow foreign nationals to stay in Canada for up to six months legally. Your legal status will expire at the end of this period, and you will have to leave Canada. If foreign nationals wish to extend their stay beyond six months, they must apply while their temporary resident status remains valid. It is recommended that you apply for an extension at least 30 days before the expiration of your status. If your current visa expires while your extension application is still being processed, you may remain in Canada while waiting for a decision to be made. This is called implied status. Additionally, if you are eligible for one of Canada's immigration programs, you may apply for permanent resident status.

Do I Need to Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa?

When traveling to Canada, it is essential to 

  1. Have a valid travel document, such as a passport  

  1. Be in good health. 

  2. You must convince the immigration officer that you have ties to your country of origin and plan to leave Canada at the end of your visit.  

  3. Show that you have enough funds. (The required amount of funds may vary depending on the circumstances of your visit, including its duration and accommodation.)

  4. If the person is visiting Canada to stay with their family, and the family will be paying for everything, the relative must indicate that they will be responsible for all the expenses during the visit.

  5. In addition, the relative must also indicate that they have the necessary resources, and it would be helpful if the relative includes a job letter, tax documents, bank statements, etc.

When Travelling to Canada it is essential to;

Most travelers planning to visit Canada will need a Visitor visa. However, citizens of some countries may qualify for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or be entirely exempt from this requirement. These individuals can enter the country without a visa if they have a valid passport.

There are two categories of Canadian visiting visas: single-entry and multiple-entry. A single-entry visa allows foreign nationals to visit Canada only once, while a multiple-entry visa permits holders to enter and exit Canada as often as they like for the duration of the visa. Applicants are automatically considered for multiple-entry visas and are only issued single-entry visas in exceptional circumstances.


A multiple-entry visitor visa allows the holder to travel to Canada as often as they want for up to six months, as long as the visa remains valid. The visa's validity duration is at the visa officer’s discretion and can be up to 10 years. Suppose you are not visa-exempt and hold another status document, such as a study or work permit. In that case, you will automatically be granted a visitor visa to enter Canada and receive your permit. Generally, this visa is a multiple-entry visa. If you temporarily leave Canada during your studies or work, you will not need to apply for a new visitor visa to re-enter Canada as long as your permit and visa are still valid.
 

bottom of page