Visitor’s Visa
A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document that we stick in your passport. It shows that you meet the requirements needed to enter Canada.
Most travelers need a visitor visa to travel to Canada. You may also need one if you’re transiting through a Canadian airport to your final destination.
Update: As of August 28, 2024, individuals in Canada on visitor visas are no longer allowed to apply for work permits while in the country. This change marks the end of a temporary policy that was introduced during the pandemic to support those who couldn’t return home due to travel restrictions. Click here to learn more about this update.
All about Visitor visa to Canada
Visitors who want to enter Canada as tourists or business travellers need visas regardless of their citizenship status and residence. Canadian permanent residents are prohibited from applying for visitor visas and need PRTD instead.
Canada has various visa options for visitors that range from simple, single-entry tourist visas to more complex plans with multiple entries into Canada. Suppose an individual is not covered by one of Canada’s agreements exempting them from needing visas. In that case, they must obtain an electronic travel authorization (eTA) before boarding their flight.
Types Of Visa For Traveling To Canada
Some types of visas that people might need to enter Canada include:
1. Visit Visa
A visitor visa is an immigration document that allows foreign nationals to travel and enter Canada. Unless you are from a country exempt from needing one, visitors will need a TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) when they come in as either tourists or temporary workers for their employer’s business venture.
2. Super Visa
A super visa is a perfect solution for parents and grandparents who want to visit Canada but don’t need multiple entries. The holder of this type of immigration status can enter AND exit without having their stay limited by time limits on visas in other countries’ passports!
3. Business Visitor Visas
A business visitor is a person who comes from outside Canada for international business activities but doesn’t enter the country’s labour market. They may be employees or tourists and come from anywhere in the world!
4. electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
As an immigrant or visitor to Canada, you may not be required to obtain a Canadian visa if your country is on the list of countries exempt from needing one. The eTA is required for most foreign nationals who are exempt from requiring Canadian visitor visas.
The exception to this requirement comes with U.S. citizens. They can continue their travels using only an American passport without worrying about getting stuck at the airport due to unforeseen circumstances, as we all know too well!
How long can a person stay in Canada on a visitor’s visa?
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada.
The border services officer may allow you to stay at the port of entry for less or more than 6 months. If so, they’ll put the date you need to leave in your passport. They might also give you a visitor record document to show the date you need to leave by.
If you don’t get a stamp on your passport, you can stay for 6 months from the day you entered Canada or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you need a stamp, you can ask a border services officer for one. If you arrive at an airport that uses primary inspection kiosks, ask the border officer after you finish at the kiosk.
Make sure you need a visitor visa before you apply
You may need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization. The entry document you need depends on:
- The type of travel document you plan to travel with.
- The country that issued your travel document.
- Your nationality.
- Your method of travel to Canada for this trip.
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
Eligibility for visitor’s visa to Canada
You must meet some basic requirements to get a visitor visa. You must:
- Have a valid travel document, like a passport.
- Be in good health.
- Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions.
- Convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets, or family—that will take you back to your home country.
- Convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit.
- Have enough money for your stay
- The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.
You may also need a medical exam and a letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada
Some people are not allowed to enter Canada
Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:
- Criminal Activity
- Human Rights Violations
- Organized Crime
You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons. Find out more about inadmissibility.
Minor children traveling to Canada
Make sure you know what to do if your minor children (children under the age of 18) will be travelling with you, with someone else, or alone.