Canada Visitor Visa Application Guide 2026: TRV Requirements and How to Apply
Last updated: April 2026 • For anyone from a visa-required country who wants to visit Canada for tourism, family visits, or business
Planning to visit Canada? If you are from a visa-required country, you need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — commonly called a visitor visa or tourist visa — before you can board a flight to Canada. This guide covers everything you need to know: who needs one, what documents to prepare, the $100 CAD fee, biometrics, how to apply online, and the most common reasons applications are refused.
💳 Application fee: $100 CAD per person (max $500 CAD per family)
🧬 Biometrics fee: $85 CAD per person / $170 CAD for a family (2+)
📅 Typical authorized stay: Up to 6 months (determined by CBSA at border)
🔄 Single or multiple entry: Multiple entry valid up to 10 years (or 1 month before passport expiry)
🌐 How to apply: Online via IRCC secure account, or on paper at a VAC (Visa Application Centre)
⏱️ Processing time: Varies by country — check IRCC's processing time tool
📋 Table of Contents
Who Needs a Visitor Visa?#
Citizens of most countries need a Canadian visitor visa (TRV) to enter Canada. Citizens of certain countries are visa-exempt — they do not need a TRV, but may need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) if traveling by air. US citizens and US permanent residents do not need either a TRV or an eTA.
| Traveler Category | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Citizens of most countries (India, Pakistan, China, Philippines, etc.) | ✅ Visitor visa (TRV) required |
| Citizens of visa-exempt countries (UK, Australia, France, Japan, etc.) | 📱 eTA required for air travel (no TRV needed) |
| US citizens | ✅ Neither TRV nor eTA required — just a valid passport |
| US permanent residents (Green Card holders) | 📱 eTA required for air travel |
| Canadian PR card holders | ✅ PR card (or PRTD for returning PRs) |
Use IRCC's official "Find out if you need a visa" tool at ircc.canada.ca to confirm based on your passport country. The list changes periodically as Canada updates its visa policy agreements.
Eligibility Requirements#
To be eligible for a Canadian visitor visa, you must satisfy the visa officer that you:
| Requirement | What It Means in Practice |
|---|---|
| Will leave Canada before your authorized stay expires | The most important factor — officer must be satisfied you have ties to your home country (job, family, property) that will bring you back |
| Have sufficient funds for your visit | Enough money to cover accommodation, food, transportation, and return home — typically shown through bank statements |
| Have a valid passport | Must be valid for the duration of your planned stay in Canada (ideally valid at least 6 months beyond your return date) |
| Have no criminal record (or obtained a special authorization) | Certain criminal convictions make you inadmissible — you may need a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation |
| Are not a security risk | No ties to terrorist organizations, organized crime, or threats to public health or national security |
| Have a genuine purpose of visit | Tourism, visiting family/friends, attending a conference or event — not working, studying (for more than 6 months), or immigration purposes |
| Are in good health (or have a medical exam if required) | Some countries require a medical examination — check IRCC's list of countries requiring a medical exam |
Required Documents#
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Must have at least one blank page; valid for the planned duration of stay; provide scans of all used pages |
| Completed application form | IMM 5257 — completed online or on paper; must be accurate and complete |
| Digital photo | Must meet IRCC photo specifications — recent, white background, specific dimensions |
| Bank statements | Last 3–6 months showing sufficient funds; accounts must be in your name |
| Employment letter / proof of employment | Letter from employer on company letterhead confirming your position, salary, and approved leave period |
| Proof of ties to home country | Property ownership, business ownership, family responsibilities, return employment — whatever demonstrates you will return home |
| Invitation letter (if applicable) | If visiting family or friends in Canada, a signed invitation letter from your host with their status in Canada |
| Travel itinerary | Planned dates of travel, accommodation bookings, places you plan to visit |
| Travel history | Copies of past visa stamps / entry-exit stamps showing you have traveled internationally and returned home |
| Medical exam results (if required) | Required for applicants from certain countries or those who have lived in certain countries for 6+ months in the past year |
| Biometrics (if required) | First-time applicants from most countries must provide biometrics — fingerprints and photo — at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) |
Fees and Biometrics#
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa — single applicant | $100 |
| Visitor visa — per person (family group application) | $100 per person, maximum $500 per family |
| Biometrics — single applicant | $85 |
| Biometrics — family group (2+ applicants) | $170 for the group |
Most first-time applicants for a Canadian visa need to provide biometrics (fingerprints + photo) at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). Once your biometrics are on file, they are valid for 10 years — you do not need to resubmit for subsequent applications within that period. Children under 14 and applicants over 79 are exempt.
How to Apply: Step by Step#
Go to ircc.canada.ca and create or sign in to your account. Most applicants apply online. In some countries, paper applications are also available through a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Answer all questions accurately and completely. Disclose all previous travel, visa applications (even refusals), criminal history, and family members. Do not leave anything blank — if something does not apply, write "Not applicable." Errors or omissions can result in refusal or misrepresentation findings.
Scan and upload your passport, photo, financial documents, employment letter, and any other required documents. Scans must be clear and legible. Documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Pay the $100 CAD visa fee (and biometrics fee if applicable) by credit card online. You will receive a payment confirmation. Keep this for your records.
If this is your first Canadian visa application and you are from a biometrics-required country, you must visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide your fingerprints and photo. Do this after paying but before your application can be fully processed. You have 30 days to provide biometrics after submitting your application.
Processing times vary by country — check IRCC's online processing time tool at ircc.canada.ca for the current estimate. You can check your application status online through your IRCC account.
If approved, IRCC will ask you to submit your passport to receive the visa stamp. For applications processed through a VAC, this may happen at the centre. For online applications processed at a local embassy or consulate, you may be asked to mail or bring your passport.
Processing Times#
Processing times for Canada visitor visas vary significantly by country of application and current IRCC workload. In general, processing times range from a few weeks to several months. Apply well in advance of your planned travel date — at minimum 8–12 weeks before departure for most countries, and longer for countries with historically longer processing times such as India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
Processing times are estimates — IRCC does not guarantee processing within any given time frame. Booking non-refundable flights before your visa is approved is a significant financial risk. If your visa is refused or delayed, you may lose your flight costs. Consider travel insurance and refundable or changeable bookings until your visa is in hand.
Single Entry vs Multiple Entry Visa#
| Feature | Single Entry | Multiple Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Number of entries allowed | One entry only — if you leave Canada, the visa is used up | Unlimited entries during the validity period |
| Validity | Up to the date on the visa | Up to 10 years, or 1 month before passport expiry (whichever is earlier) |
| Who gets which | IRCC decides — you cannot always choose; some applicants from certain countries are issued single-entry | Most applicants who qualify for a visa are issued a multiple-entry visa |
| Cost | $100 CAD | $100 CAD (same fee) |
What Happens at the Border#
Having an approved visitor visa does not guarantee entry into Canada. The CBSA officer at the port of entry has final authority. The officer will:
- Review your passport, visa, and travel documents
- Ask about the purpose of your visit, where you are staying, and how long you plan to stay
- Determine your authorized period of stay — typically stamped in your passport or noted on a visitor record
- May require you to show proof of funds, a return ticket, or accommodation bookings
The default authorized stay is 6 months, but the CBSA officer can authorize a shorter or longer period based on your circumstances.
Why Visitor Visas Are Refused#
| Refusal Reason | How to Address It |
|---|---|
| Not satisfied you will leave Canada | Provide strong evidence of ties to home country: stable employment, property ownership, family responsibilities, return ticket |
| Insufficient funds | Provide detailed bank statements showing adequate funds; include a budget for your visit |
| Incomplete application | Answer every question; include all required documents; ensure translations are certified |
| Prior immigration violations | Disclose all previous refusals, overstays, or violations honestly; address them in a cover letter |
| Purpose of visit not credible | Provide a detailed itinerary, invitation letter, event documentation — anything that supports the stated purpose |
| Criminal inadmissibility | You may need a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation — seek professional advice |
| Previous visa refusals not disclosed | Always disclose prior refusals — failing to do so is misrepresentation, which is worse than the refusal itself |
Tips for a Strong Application#
• Strong employment record and a letter confirming approved leave from your job
• Bank statements showing 3–6 months of stable savings (not a sudden large deposit)
• Previous travel history to other countries (especially visa-required countries you visited and returned from on time)
• Clear and detailed travel purpose with supporting documents
• Ties to home country: property documents, family responsibilities, business ownership
• Honest disclosure of all previous visa refusals with a clear explanation
• A short, professional cover letter explaining your visit, your ties, and your intent to return
Frequently Asked Questions#
How much does a Canada visitor visa cost?
The application fee is $100 CAD per person. Family groups (2 or more people applying together) pay $100 per person up to a maximum of $500. Biometrics — required for most first-time applicants — cost an additional $85 per person or $170 for a family group.
How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?
Having a visitor visa does not set your length of stay — the CBSA officer at the port of entry determines this, typically up to 6 months. Check your passport stamp or visitor record for your authorized stay end date. You must leave by that date or apply to extend your stay before it expires.
Can I study in Canada on a visitor visa?
In some cases yes — if your course or program is 6 months or shorter, and you are already in Canada as a visitor, you may be able to study without a study permit. Programs longer than 6 months require a study permit. Confirm with IRCC guidelines for your specific situation.
My visitor visa was refused. Can I reapply?
Yes — you can reapply immediately after a refusal. There is no waiting period. However, simply reapplying with the same application and documents will very likely result in another refusal. You need to address the specific reason(s) for refusal with new evidence or a stronger application before reapplying.
Do I need to disclose previous visa refusals from other countries?
Yes. IRCC specifically asks whether you have ever been refused a visa or permit to any country, including Canada. You must disclose all refusals — including from the USA, UK, Australia, Schengen countries, etc. Failing to disclose is misrepresentation, which results in a 5-year ban from Canada — far worse than the underlying refusal.
Can I extend my visitor visa from inside Canada?
You cannot extend a visitor visa itself (the stamp in your passport from abroad). However, you can apply to extend your authorized stay inside Canada by applying for a Visitor Record before your current authorized period expires. You must apply before your status expires to remain in valid status (maintained status) during processing.
Need Help with Your Canada Visitor Visa?
A poorly prepared visitor visa application is the most common reason for refusals. Our team can connect you with experienced immigration professionals who can review your application and strengthen your case before you apply.
📧 Email Us TodayDisclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules and fees change frequently. Always verify current requirements at ircc.canada.ca before applying.