Canadian Visitor Visas
Last updated: 2026-09-17
A Temporary Resident Visa is what nationals of visa-required countries need to enter Canada for tourism, family visits or business. The decision does not turn on where you plan to travel; it turns on whether the officer believes you will leave Canada at the end of your stay. This page sets out the difference between a visa and an eTA, what officers weigh, the documents and fees involved, and how to extend status or respond to a refusal.
- Who it suits
- Tourism, visiting family, business visits, and short stays accompanying children
- Fees
- CAD $100 for the visa plus $85 for biometrics, capped at $170 for a family
- eTA
- Required for visa-exempt nationals flying to Canada, CAD $7
- Length of stay
- Usually up to six months, decided by the border officer on entry
Official processing times
Taken from IRCC's own processing times tool and synced twice a month.
| Application type | Published processing time |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa, filed outside Canada · Filed in China | 40 days |
| Visitor visa, filed outside Canada · Filed in India | 29 days |
| Visitor visa, filed outside Canada · Filed in the Philippines | 24 days |
| Visitor visa, filed in Canada | 12 days |
| Visitor record (extension) | 357 days |
IRCC data updated: October 9, 2026 · Synced by us: 2026-10-20
Processing times are IRCC's statistics on applications it has already finished — a guide, not a commitment. Individual files vary with document completeness, requests for more information and background checks. For applications where the time depends on where you file, only a few common locations are listed; use IRCC's tool for others.
Which document you need
Visitor visa (TRV)
- For passport holders from visa-required countries
- A visa sticker placed in the passport
- Single or multiple entry, the latter up to passport expiry
- CAD $100 plus the biometrics fee
Electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- For visa-exempt nationals, such as Japan, South Korea and most of the EU
- Needed only when arriving by air, not by land or sea
- Linked electronically to the passport, with no sticker
- CAD $7, usually decided within minutes to a few days
Super visa
- For parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents
- Stays of up to five years per entry
- Validity of up to ten years
- Different criteria from a visitor visa — see the super visa page
Extending visitor status
- For people already in Canada who want to stay longer
- File at least 30 days before current status expires
- Approval results in a visitor record
- You may remain in Canada lawfully while the application is pending
What officers assess
IRCC publishes the basic requirements; the file should be built around them.
- A valid travel document such as a passport
- Good health, with a medical exam where required
- No criminal convictions and no immigration violations
- Strong ties to your home country: work, property, assets, family
- Enough to satisfy the officer that you will leave Canada at the end of the visit
- Sufficient funds for the stay, scaled to its length and your accommodation
- A letter of invitation from a host in Canada, where applicable
- Additional requirements for children under 18 travelling alone or with someone other than a parent
Fees and practical points
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa fee | CAD $100 per person |
| Biometrics | CAD $85 per person, capped at $170 for a family applying together |
| eTA | CAD $7 per person |
| Length of stay | Usually up to six months, set by the border officer on arrival |
| Visa validity | Multiple entry visas can run up to passport expiry |
| Processing | Varies widely by country and volume; check IRCC's live times |
Biometrics — fingerprints and a photo — usually mean an in-person appointment at a visa application centre and stay valid for ten years. When travel is close, this is the step most often underestimated.
IRCC fee schedule →How to apply
- 1
Check whether you need a visa or an eTA
It depends on your nationality. Some holders of valid US visas benefit from separate facilitation, which is worth checking first.
- 2
Assemble documents
Passport, photo, proof of funds, employment and income records, itinerary and accommodation; for family visits, an invitation letter and proof of relationship. Everything should point to both capacity to travel and reasons to return.
- 3
File online and pay
Submit through an IRCC account and pay the visa and biometrics fees.
- 4
Give biometrics
Attend the designated visa application centre once instructed, usually by appointment.
- 5
Respond to any requests
IRCC may ask for more documents, a medical exam or an interview. Never file explanations that do not match the facts.
- 6
Travel
A visa lets you board; the actual period of stay is decided at the border. Carry your itinerary, accommodation and proof of funds on arrival.
Common questions
Can I reapply after a refusal?+
Yes, with no limit on attempts — but resubmitting the same file usually produces the same result. The right step is to obtain the officer's notes (GCMS) and find the real reason: unexplained funds, weak ties, inconsistencies, or misrepresentation. Only a targeted fix changes the outcome. Where misrepresentation is alleged the consequence is a five-year bar, and that needs professional assessment quickly.
Does having relatives in Canada help?+
Not necessarily. A family connection is both a reason to visit and a reason to stay. The file has to hold both sides: a genuine purpose with a host, and work, income, property and family obligations that give you reason to return. Emphasising only the first is the most common reason family-visit applications are refused.
Is visa validity the same as length of stay?+
No. Validity is the window in which you may seek entry; length of stay is how long each entry allows, decided by the border officer and usually up to six months. A visa valid until 2030 does not mean you may live in Canada until 2030.
I am in Canada and my status is about to expire — what now?+
File to extend your visitor status at least 30 days before it expires; approval gives you a visitor record. Filing before expiry lets you stay lawfully while the application is pending. If status has already lapsed you have 90 days to apply for restoration, after which leaving is the only option and the risk rises sharply.
Can I work or study on a visitor visa?+
No. Visitor status does not allow work, nor study in a program longer than six months. Short courses under six months can be taken without a study permit, but the other visitor conditions still apply. If work or longer study is the plan, apply for the right permit rather than entering as a visitor and deciding later.
Wondering whether you qualify?
Contact us for an assessment and plan tailored to your background.
Book a consultationThis page summarizes official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for general reference only. Immigration rules change often, so always check IRCC's latest requirements. Every case is different — contact us for an assessment of your situation.