Short answer: to visit Canada most people need one of two authorizations, depending on their citizenship. Citizens of visa-exempt countries who fly to Canada generally need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which costs $7 CAD. Citizens of visa-required countries need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly called a visitor visa, which costs $100 CAD and is required for any method of entry. US citizens generally need neither. What this means for you: your first step is simply to confirm which category your passport falls into, because that determines everything else, the cost, the forms, and the processing time. This guide covers who needs what, how long you can stay, how to apply, what documents to prepare, and special programs like the Super Visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It is educational information, not legal advice; an IRCC or CBSA officer makes the final decision in every case.
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Check now, it's freeDo You Need a Visa or an eTA to Visit Canada?
Canada divides visitors into two broad categories based on their citizenship:
Visa-Exempt Countries, eTA Required for Air Travel
Citizens of visa-exempt countries (including the United Kingdom, Australia, most EU member states, Japan, South Korea, and others) do not need a TRV but generally must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when flying to or transiting through Canada by air. An eTA is generally not required to enter by land or sea. US citizens are a special case: they generally need neither a TRV nor an eTA and simply present a valid US passport. US lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) are also exempt from the eTA requirement; for air travel they carry a valid passport from their country of nationality together with proof of their US permanent resident status (such as a valid green card).
The eTA is linked electronically to the passport you apply with, costs $7 CAD, and is typically approved within minutes (though some applications take longer, so IRCC recommends applying before you book flights). It is generally valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries during that period. What this means for you: an eTA is cheap and fast, but it is tied to one specific passport, so if you renew your passport you generally need a new eTA. Apply only through the official Government of Canada site to avoid third-party sites that charge extra fees.
Visa-Required Countries: TRV Required
Citizens of visa-required countries must apply for and receive a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) before travelling to Canada by any means, air, land, or sea. The TRV is a counterfoil placed in your passport and allows you to travel to a Canadian port of entry and seek entry. The application fee is $100 CAD, plus an $85 CAD biometrics fee per person where biometrics are required ($170 maximum for a family applying together). TRVs are often issued as multiple-entry visas, valid for up to 10 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. What this means for you: having a TRV does not by itself guarantee entry. It lets you board and travel to the border, but a CBSA officer at the port of entry makes the final admissibility determination and decides how long you may stay. Verify current fees on the IRCC website before you pay, as fees can change.
The full and current list of visa-exempt and visa-required countries is maintained on the IRCC website. Check the IRCC website for current visa requirements for your citizenship.
How Long Can You Stay in Canada as a Visitor?
In most cases visitors are allowed to stay for up to 6 months, but the actual period is decided by a CBSA officer at entry, who can authorize more or less. The standard rule is 6 months from the date of entry if your passport is not stamped and no other period is set, unless the officer stamps a different date or issues a Visitor Record specifying a different period. You are generally authorized to stay until the earliest of:
- ✓ The date stamped in your passport by the CBSA officer at entry
- ✓ Six months from the date of entry (if no date is stamped)
- ✓ The expiry date of your passport
- ✓ The expiry date of your TRV (if your TRV expires before 6 months)
To stay longer than your authorized period, apply for a visitor record (an extension) before your current status expires; the visitor record fee is generally $100 CAD. If you apply before expiry, you generally keep "implied status" and may remain under the same conditions while IRCC processes your request. If you stay past your authorized period without applying in time, you lose status. A person who has lost status generally has 90 days to apply to restore it (paying a restoration fee plus the visitor fee). Overstaying can lead to removal and can affect future applications, but overstaying by itself does not trigger an automatic fixed-length ban; misrepresentation under IRPA s.40 is a separate matter that carries a 5-year inadmissibility. What this means for you: mark your authorized end date the day you arrive and act well before it, not after.
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Most TRV applications are submitted online through IRCC's secure application portal. Some applicants (based on country) may apply through a Visa Application Centre (VAC). The process:
- 1Create an IRCC account: Set up a secure account at ircc.canada.ca to submit your application online.
- 2Complete the application forms: The primary form is IMM 5257 (Application for Temporary Resident Visa). Dependents included in your application also need IMM 5257.
- 3Gather supporting documents: Valid passport, photographs (per IRCC photo specifications), financial evidence, ties to home country, invitation letter (if applicable), and purpose-specific documents.
- 4Pay the application fee: Currently $100 CAD per person. Check the IRCC website for current fees as they are subject to change.
- 5Provide biometrics: Most applicants from certain countries must provide fingerprints and a photo at a VAC. The biometric fee is $85 CAD per person (or $170 for a family). Biometrics are valid for 10 years once given.
- 6Medical examination (if required): Applicants from certain countries or those planning to stay over 6 months may need a medical examination from an IRCC-designated physician before or during processing.
- 7Await decision: Processing times vary significantly by country. Check the IRCC website for current times. Most online applications are processed within weeks to a few months.
Key Documents for a Visitor Visa Application
The central question an officer assesses in a visitor visa application is whether you are a genuine temporary resident, someone who will leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay. There is no single magic document or fixed dollar amount that guarantees approval; the officer weighs the whole picture. Your documents should make a clear, honest case for your purpose, your funds, and your ties back home.
Valid Passport
Must be valid for the duration of your intended stay. Some officers prefer validity well beyond your planned departure date.
Proof of Financial Support
Bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns, or proof of a host's support. There is no fixed required amount: you must satisfy the officer you have enough money for your stay and your return, proportional to the length and purpose of the trip.
Ties to Your Home Country
Employment letter, property ownership, family ties, business registration. Demonstrates you have reasons to return home.
Travel Itinerary
Purpose of visit, planned activities, accommodation bookings, flight itinerary or reservations.
Invitation Letter (if applicable)
If visiting a friend or family member, a signed letter with their status/PR/citizenship documents, address, and relationship to you.
Travel History
Copies of previous passports or visa stamps showing prior travel and compliance. An officer may consider a history of travel and lawful return as one factor among many when weighing your application; it is one discretionary consideration, not a guarantee.
Super Visa: Extended Stays for Parents and Grandparents
The Super Visa is a special multi-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Unlike a regular TRV (6 months at a time), a Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years per entry (increased from 2 years in July 2022) and is valid for up to 10 years.
Super Visa Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- ✓ The child/grandchild (sponsor) must meet minimum necessary income (MNI), check IRCC website for current threshold
- ✓ The sponsor must provide a letter of invitation committing to financial support during the visit
- ✓ The applicant must obtain private medical insurance coverage for the full period of stay (minimum $100,000 coverage), purchased from a Canadian company or, as of January 28, 2025, from a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI
- ✓ The applicant must complete a medical examination from an IRCC-designated physician
- ✓ The applicant must be admissible to Canada (no criminal inadmissibility)
Medical insurance requirement: Super Visa applicants must have private medical insurance. As of January 28, 2025, IRCC allows this insurance to be purchased either from a Canadian company or from a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI (the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions), making the Super Visa more accessible. The coverage generally must be valid for a minimum of 1 year from entry date and provide at least $100,000 in coverage for healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation. Verify current insurance requirements on the IRCC website.
Criminal Records and Visitor Visa Applications
Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from receiving a visitor visa, but it significantly complicates the application. IRCC will assess your criminal history under IRPA s.36 (criminal inadmissibility) as part of the TRV processing.
If you are inadmissible due to a criminal conviction, your visitor visa application will be refused unless you have resolved the inadmissibility through:
- ✓An approved Criminal Rehabilitation application (permanent resolution)
- ✓Deemed rehabilitation, where a person may be considered rehabilitated by the passage of time for certain less-serious offences; eligibility depends on the type and number of offences and their Canadian equivalency, so check the IRCC criteria for your situation
- ✓A valid Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) issued alongside or separate from the visa
How to Write an Effective Invitation Letter
When visiting a friend or family member in Canada, including an invitation letter from your Canadian host strengthens your application. A strong letter should include:
- ✓ The host's full name, address, and phone number
- ✓ The host's immigration status (citizen, PR) and proof (photocopy of passport or PR card)
- ✓ Your full name, relationship to the host, and planned dates of visit
- ✓ Where you will stay (host's home, hotel, etc.)
- ✓ The host's commitment to ensure you leave Canada before your authorized period expires
- ✓ The host's income or financial capacity to support you if needed (employment letter or pay stubs)
An invitation letter alone does not guarantee a visa. Officers consider the entire application, including your own financial resources, ties to your home country, and travel history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Canadian visitor visa cost?+
The government application fee is currently $100 CAD per person, plus $85 CAD per person (or $170 for a family group) for biometrics if required. Check the IRCC website for current fees, as these can change. There are no refunds if the application is refused.
How long does a Canadian visitor visa take to process?+
Processing times vary significantly by country of application and IRCC workload. Check the IRCC website for current processing time estimates for your country. Some applications are processed in weeks; others can take months. Apply well in advance of planned travel.
Can I work in Canada on a visitor visa?+
No. A visitor visa does not authorize you to work in Canada. Working without authorization is a violation of IRPA and can result in removal from Canada and a future bar on applications. If you intend to work, you must apply for the appropriate work permit.
I'm a US citizen, do I need a visa or eTA to visit Canada?+
US citizens do not need a TRV or an eTA to visit Canada by any method of entry. You present your US passport at the port of entry. You can stay for up to 6 months unless the CBSA officer specifies otherwise. Note: a criminal record (including DUI) may still make you inadmissible regardless of your exemption from the visa requirement.
What is the difference between a visitor visa refusal and inadmissibility?+
A visa refusal means the officer was not satisfied you would leave Canada at the end of your stay or that you meet requirements, it is not necessarily about criminality. Inadmissibility under IRPA s.36 (criminal), s.38 (health), or other grounds is a distinct finding that bars entry regardless of visa status. A refused application can be reapplied for; an inadmissibility requires a TRP or resolved rehabilitation.
Can I extend my visitor visa from inside Canada?+
Yes. You can apply to extend your status as a visitor (apply for a Visitor Record) from within Canada, provided you apply before your current authorized stay expires. The visitor record fee is generally $100 CAD. Applying before expiry usually lets you stay under the same conditions while IRCC processes the request. Extensions are not guaranteed and must be applied for through the IRCC portal. Verify the current fee on the IRCC website.
How much money do I need to show for a Canadian visitor visa?+
There is no single official minimum dollar amount. You must satisfy an officer that you have enough money to cover your stay and your return home, in an amount that is reasonable for the length and purpose of your trip. A two-week visit and a five-month visit clearly call for different figures. Bank statements, pay stubs, and proof of a host's support can all help. Anyone who quotes a fixed required amount as an official threshold is mistaken; confirm expectations on the IRCC website.
What happens if I overstay my visitor status in Canada?+
If you stay past your authorized period you lose status. You generally have 90 days to apply to restore your status, paying a restoration fee plus the visitor fee, and you must stop any activity you are no longer authorized for. Overstaying can lead to removal and can weigh against future applications, but overstaying by itself does not create an automatic fixed-length ban. (Misrepresentation under IRPA s.40 is a separate matter and carries a 5-year inadmissibility.) Because outcomes depend on the facts, consider speaking with a licensed immigration lawyer or CICC-regulated consultant. Verify the restoration process on the IRCC website.
Do I need an invitation letter to visit Canada?+
No. An invitation letter from a host in Canada can support your application, but it is not mandatory and does not guarantee a visa. The officer weighs your ties to your home country, your funds, the purpose of the trip, and the likelihood that you will leave at the end of your stay. A letter helps explain who you are visiting and where you will stay, but a strong overall application matters more than the letter alone.
Does an eTA or visitor visa let me work or study in Canada?+
No. Neither an eTA nor a visitor visa authorizes you to work, and they generally do not authorize study in a program longer than six months. To work you need the appropriate work permit, and for most longer studies you need a study permit. Working or studying without the proper authorization is a violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and can affect your status and future applications.
Important: Information is based on publicly available IRPA, IRPR, and IRCC policy. Visa requirements and fees change, always verify with the IRCC website before applying. Not legal advice.
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