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Valid Travel Document
You must have a valid passport or other qualifying travel document.
VISIT
Canadian Visitor Visa
Visit Canada temporarily for family, tourism, special events or other eligible purposes with the appropriate temporary resident authorization.
Assess Your Visitor Visa CaseTEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA
What Is a Canadian Visitor Visa?
A visitor visa, also called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV, is an official document placed in the passport of a visa-required traveller.
It shows that the traveller met the requirements to travel to Canada as a temporary resident at the time the visa was issued.
Visitor visas are commonly used for tourism, family visits, attending events and other temporary travel to Canada.
Having a valid visitor visa allows you to travel to a Canadian port of entry, but it does not automatically guarantee that you will be admitted to Canada.
ELIGIBILITY
Basic Visitor Visa Requirements
IRCC considers whether the applicant is a genuine temporary visitor and whether they meet Canada's immigration requirements.
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Temporary Purpose
Your application should clearly explain why you want to visit Canada and how long you plan to stay.
03
Intention to Leave Canada
You must satisfy the immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.
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Sufficient Funds
You must have enough money to support yourself during your visit, taking into account the length and circumstances of your stay.
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Ties Outside Canada
Employment, property, financial assets, family responsibilities and other ties may help demonstrate that you have reasons to return after your visit.
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Admissibility
Applicants must meet Canada's applicable criminal, security, health, financial and other admissibility requirements.
TEMPORARY INTENT
Why Will You Return After Your Visit?
A central question in many visitor visa applications is whether the applicant is likely to leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.
IRCC may consider the complete circumstances, including employment, family, finances, property, travel history, purpose of visit and the applicant's situation in their country of residence.
There is no single document that proves temporary intent. A strong application should present a consistent overall picture that supports the stated purpose and duration of the visit.
A Return Ticket Alone Is Not Enough
Temporary intent is assessed from the complete circumstances of the application, not simply from whether the applicant has booked a return flight.
Review My ApplicationPURPOSE OF TRAVEL
Why Are You Visiting Canada?
The reason for the trip determines which documents and explanations may be relevant to the application.
01
Family Visit
Applicants may visit children, spouses, partners, relatives or other family members who are in Canada.
02
Tourism
Applicants may visit Canada for vacation, sightseeing and other temporary tourism activities.
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Special Events
Weddings, graduations, family celebrations, conferences and other events may form the purpose of a temporary visit.
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Business Visit
Certain travellers may qualify as business visitors for eligible short-term business activities. They generally must intend to stay for less than six months, not enter the Canadian labour market, and maintain their main place of business and source of income or profits outside Canada.
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Short-Term Study
A study permit may not be required for a course or program lasting six months or less if the studies are not part of a longer program and can be completed within the period the person is authorized to stay in Canada.
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Other Temporary Reasons
Other legitimate short-term purposes may also qualify, depending on the applicant's circumstances and immigration requirements.
INVITATION LETTER
Does Someone in Canada Need to Invite You?
An invitation letter may be relevant when the purpose of the trip is to visit a family member, friend, organization or business in Canada.
The letter can help explain who is inviting the applicant, the relationship between the parties, the purpose of the visit, intended accommodation and other relevant arrangements.
However, an invitation letter does not guarantee approval of the visitor visa. The applicant still needs to satisfy the applicable temporary resident requirements.
Invitation ≠ Approval
A person or organization in Canada cannot guarantee that a visitor visa will be approved simply by providing an invitation letter.
Review My InvitationFINANCIAL EVIDENCE
Showing You Can Afford the Visit
The amount of financial evidence needed varies according to the duration and circumstances of the proposed visit.
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Applicant's Own Funds
Bank records, employment income and other financial documents may help establish the applicant's ability to pay for the visit.
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Host Support
If a host will pay for accommodation or other costs, evidence of the host's support and financial circumstances may be relevant.
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Length of Visit
A longer proposed visit generally requires a reasonable financial plan for the additional expenses involved.
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Accommodation
Whether the applicant will stay in a hotel or with family or friends can affect the overall cost of the visit.
VISA VALIDITY
Single-Entry or Multiple-Entry Visa?
A single-entry visa generally allows one entry to Canada, while a multiple-entry visa can allow repeated travel during its validity period.
Applicants do not normally choose which type will be issued. IRCC reviews the application and decides whether a single-entry or multiple-entry visa is appropriate.
A multiple-entry visitor visa may be valid for up to 10 years, but its validity can be limited by factors such as passport or biometrics expiry and the officer's assessment.
Visa Validity ≠ Length of Stay
A visa that is valid for several years does not mean you can remain in Canada continuously for that entire period.
Discuss My Travel PlansLENGTH OF STAY
How Long Can a Visitor Stay in Canada?
The expiry date printed on a visitor visa is not necessarily the date the visitor must leave Canada.
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Usually Up to Six Months
Most visitors are authorized to stay in Canada for up to six months after entry.
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Border Officer Decides
A border services officer may authorize a shorter or longer period depending on the circumstances.
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Passport Stamp
If the officer writes a departure date in the passport, the visitor must leave or obtain further authorization by that date.
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Visitor Record
A visitor record may be issued showing the date by which the visitor must leave Canada.
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No Passport Stamp
If no departure date is placed in your passport and no visitor record is issued, you can generally stay for six months from the date you entered Canada, or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
Visitor Visa and Visitor Status Are Not the Same Thing
A visitor visa is primarily a travel document that allows a visa-required foreign national to seek entry to Canada.
Visitor status refers to the person's temporary immigration status after they have been admitted to Canada.
The expiry date of the visa therefore does not automatically determine how long the person is authorized to remain in Canada after entry.
Visa Expiry Is a Travel Date
The visa expiry generally tells you the latest date by which you may use that visa to seek entry. Your authorized stay is determined separately when you enter Canada.
Extend My StayACTIVITIES IN CANADA
A Visitor Visa Does Not Automatically Allow You to Work or Study
Entry as a visitor is different from authorization to work or undertake studies that require a permit.
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Working in Canada
A visitor visa does not itself authorize employment in Canada. A work permit or another applicable work authorization is generally required.
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Studying in Canada
Studies that require a study permit cannot be undertaken simply because the person holds valid visitor status.
FAMILY IN CANADA
Can You Visit While a Permanent Residence Application Is in Process?
Having a family member in Canada or having a permanent residence application in progress does not automatically prevent someone from applying to visit Canada temporarily.
Canadian immigration law recognizes that a person may have a long-term intention to immigrate while still having a legitimate temporary purpose for entering Canada.
The applicant must nevertheless satisfy the officer that they will comply with the conditions of temporary residence if permanent residence is not granted during the authorized stay.
PR Plans Do Not Automatically Prevent a Visit
The application should clearly address both the temporary purpose of the visit and any longer-term Canadian immigration plans.
Review My SituationAPPLICATION PROCESS
A Typical Visitor Visa Process
The supporting documents should be tailored to the applicant's purpose of travel and personal circumstances.
1
Confirm Travel Requirements
Determine whether you need a visitor visa, eTA or another travel document to come to Canada.
2
Define the Purpose of Visit
Establish why you are travelling, how long you plan to stay and where you will stay in Canada.
3
Prepare Supporting Evidence
Gather financial, employment, family, travel and invitation documents relevant to your application.
4
Submit the Application
Apply through the appropriate IRCC process and pay the required application fees.
5
Complete Processing
Complete biometrics, medical examination or additional document requests where applicable.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
A Visitor Visa Is Not Guaranteed by an Invitation, Funds or Travel History
Visitor visa decisions are based on the applicant's complete circumstances.
A strong bank balance, invitation letter, employment or previous travel can all be relevant, but no single factor guarantees that an application will be approved.
The application should present a credible temporary purpose, sufficient financial arrangements and circumstances that support the applicant's intention to comply with Canada's temporary resident requirements.
Planning a Visit to Canada?
AddPlus Immigration Solutions Inc. can review your travel purpose, finances, family circumstances, immigration history and supporting documents to help prepare a clear visitor visa application.
Contact UsVISIT CANADA
Prepare Your Canadian Visit With Confidence
Tell us why you want to visit Canada, how long you plan to stay and your current circumstances, and let our team help you understand the visitor visa application process.
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