To visit Canada, you need either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — commonly called a visitor visa — or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your citizenship. Citizens of visa-exempt countries flying to Canada need an eTA. Citizens of visa-required countries need a TRV for any method of entry. This guide covers who needs what, how to apply, what documents to prepare, and special programs like the Super Visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
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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 States, United Kingdom, Australia, most EU member states, Japan, South Korea, and others) do not need a TRV but must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when flying to Canada. US citizens and US permanent residents are exempt from the eTA requirement when arriving by land or sea.
The eTA is linked electronically to your passport, costs $7 CAD, and is typically approved within minutes — though IRCC recommends applying before booking flights. It is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries.
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 stamped in your passport and allows you to seek entry at a Canadian port of entry. Having a TRV does not guarantee entry — CBSA officers at the port of entry make the final admissibility determination.
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 specific citizenship.
How Long Can You Stay in Canada as a Visitor?
The standard authorized stay for visitors to Canada is 6 months from the date of entry, unless the CBSA officer stamps your passport with a different date or issues an Visitor Record specifying a different period. You are authorized to stay until the earlier 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)
If you wish to stay longer than your authorized period, you must apply for an extension before your current status expires. Overstaying your authorized period without an approved extension puts you in implied status only if you applied before expiry — otherwise you are in Canada without status, which is a violation.
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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 most important thing 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 your authorized stay. Your documents must demonstrate this.
Valid Passport
Must be valid for the duration of your intended stay. Some officers require 6 months validity beyond departure.
Proof of Financial Support
Bank statements (3-6 months), pay stubs, tax returns, or proof of sponsorship. Must show you can support yourself without working in Canada.
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 travel to similar countries (US, UK, EU) strengthens your application significantly.
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 Canadian medical insurance coverage for the full period of stay (minimum $100,000 coverage)
- ✓ 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: The Super Visa requires private Canadian medical insurance — not travel insurance from your home country. The coverage 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.
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 (automatic after 10 years for eligible single non-serious convictions)
- ✓ 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. This extends your authorized period but does not change your visitor status. Extensions are not guaranteed and must be applied for through the IRCC portal.
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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