Canada
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Your Visitor Visa for Canada
A visitor visa — formally a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — is the document that lets citizens of visa-required countries travel to Canada for tourism, to visit family, or for business. It is an official sticker placed in your passport showing that you meet the requirements to come to Canada as a temporary resident. Whether you need a TRV or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) depends on your citizenship and how you plan to travel.
01 What is a Visitor Visa (TRV)
A visitor visa, officially called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is an official document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and placed in your passport. It shows that you have met the requirements to enter Canada as a temporary resident — for example as a tourist, to visit family, or for business.
You must obtain a TRV before you travel. You cannot get one on arrival in Canada. A visitor visa also does not, on its own, let you work or study — those activities require the appropriate permit.
A TRV is most often issued as a multiple-entry visa, which lets you travel to Canada more than once while it remains valid. Approval of a visa does not guarantee entry: a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer makes the final decision at the port of entry.
02 Visitor Visa vs. eTA
Not everyone needs a visitor visa. Whether you need a TRV or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) depends on your country of citizenship, the travel document you hold, and how you plan to arrive.
Visitor Visa (TRV)
Generally required for citizens of visa-required countries, regardless of how they travel to Canada. It is a counterfoil placed in the passport.
eTA
Generally for citizens of visa-exempt countries flying to or transiting through Canada by air. It is linked electronically to the passport.
Neither (some travellers)
U.S. citizens and certain other travellers may not need either document. The IRCC entry-requirements tool gives the answer for your specific situation.
Entry-document rules change. As of May 26, 2026, some citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia who meet certain requirements may be eligible to apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa to travel by air — set by IRCC and subject to change. Always confirm your own requirement on the official IRCC "Find out if you need a visa" tool before applying.
03 Eligibility Requirements
To be approved for a visitor visa, you must satisfy an officer that you meet Canada's requirements. In general, you must:
- hold a valid travel document, such as a passport
- be in good health, and complete a medical exam if required
- have no criminal or immigration-related convictions that make you inadmissible
- convince an officer that you have ties — such as a job, home, financial assets, or family — to your home country
- convince an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay
- have enough money to support yourself during your visit and to return home
- meet any additional requirements that apply based on your country of residence
The amount of money you need depends on how long you will stay and whether you will stay in a hotel or with friends or family. There is no single fixed figure — the officer assesses whether your funds are sufficient for your specific trip.
04 How to Apply
Most visitor visa applications are submitted online. The general process includes:
Confirm You Need a Visa
Use the IRCC entry-requirements tool to check whether you need a TRV, an eTA, or neither, based on your citizenship and how you'll travel.
Gather Your Documents
Prepare your passport, photos, proof of funds, purpose of travel, and any supporting documents for your situation.
Complete and Submit Your Application
Fill out the application (typically the IMM 5257 form) and submit it through your IRCC secure account, paying the required fees.
Give Biometrics (if required)
Most applicants must give fingerprints and a photo at a Visa Application Centre after applying. You generally need to do this within the timeframe stated in your letter.
Wait for a Decision
If approved, IRCC will ask for your passport so the visa counterfoil can be placed inside, or — for online applications from visa-exempt travellers — issue the appropriate entry document.
05 Documents You May Need
The exact documents depend on your situation and the visa office responsible for your application, but commonly requested items include:
- a valid passport or travel document
- photos meeting IRCC's specifications
- proof of funds, such as bank statements or pay records
- a letter explaining the purpose of your trip
- an invitation letter from a host in Canada, if applicable
- proof of ties to your home country, such as employment, property, or family
- travel history and a copy of any previous Canadian visas
- any additional documents requested by your local visa office
A complete, well-organized application helps avoid delays. Missing documents or incomplete forms are among the most common reasons for processing delays and refusals.
06 Validity, Length of Stay & Extensions
A multiple-entry visitor visa is typically issued for up to 10 years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. The visa's validity is how long you can use it to travel to Canada; it is separate from how long you can stay on each visit.
On each entry, visitors are usually allowed to stay for up to six months, unless the border services officer authorizes a different period and notes it in your passport. The officer decides your authorized length of stay when you arrive.
If you want to stay longer, you generally must apply to extend your stay (a visitor record) from inside Canada at least 30 days before your current status expires. Extending your stay is a separate process from holding a valid TRV.
07 Fees & Processing Times
A visitor visa application has a government processing fee, and most applicants also pay a separate biometrics fee. Processing times vary widely depending on the visa office handling your application and your country of residence.
As of June 2026, the IRCC visitor visa processing fee is CAD $100 per person (with a maximum of CAD $500 for a family of five or more applying together), and the biometrics fee is CAD $85 per person (maximum CAD $170 per family) — these amounts are set by IRCC and subject to change. Confirm the current fees on the official IRCC fee page before you pay.
Processing times are not the same for everyone. They can range from a couple of weeks at some low-volume offices to several months at high-volume offices, and they do not include the time needed to give biometrics or to complete any medical or security checks.
Because timelines shift frequently, IRCC publishes a live processing-time tool. Check the current estimate for your country and program before you plan travel dates.
08 Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visitor visa or an eTA?+
It depends on your citizenship, the travel document you hold, and how you'll travel. Generally, citizens of visa-required countries need a TRV, while citizens of visa-exempt countries flying to Canada need an eTA. U.S. citizens and some others may need neither. The official IRCC "Find out if you need a visa" tool gives the answer for your specific situation.
How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?+
Visitors are usually allowed to stay up to six months per entry, but the border services officer decides your authorized length of stay when you arrive and may set a different date. The visa's own validity — often up to 10 years or until your passport expires — is separate from how long you can stay on each visit.
Can I work or study on a visitor visa?+
No. A visitor visa does not authorize work or study on its own. Working generally requires a work permit, and studying a program longer than six months generally requires a study permit. In some cases you may be able to apply to change your status while in Canada, depending on the rules in effect at the time.
What if my visitor visa application is refused?+
If your application is refused, IRCC sends a letter explaining the reasons. There is no formal appeal of a visitor visa refusal, but you can reapply with stronger documentation that addresses the concerns raised — for example, clearer proof of funds or stronger evidence of ties to your home country. Each new application requires paying the fees again.
Can I extend my stay once I'm in Canada?+
In many cases, yes. You generally apply to extend your stay as a visitor (a visitor record) from inside Canada, and you should apply at least 30 days before your current status expires. You should not assume an extension will be granted, so apply early and maintain valid status while you wait for a decision.
Does approval guarantee I can enter Canada?+
No. A visitor visa lets you travel to Canada, but a Canada Border Services Agency officer makes the final decision at the port of entry. You must still satisfy the officer that you meet entry requirements and that you'll leave at the end of your authorized stay. The officer can refuse entry or set the length of your stay.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not guarantee any outcome. Immigration rules, fees, and processing times change. For advice on your specific situation, speak with a licensed immigration consultant (an RCIC regulated by the CICC) and confirm current requirements on the official IRCC website.
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Planning a visit to Canada?
Our licensed team can help you confirm whether you need a TRV or eTA, prepare a strong application, and apply with confidence.
