- Services
- Immigration Services
- Study Permit and Visitor’s Visa
- Visitor’s Visa
Visitor’s Visa
This program is active and accepting applications on an on-going basis.
Program Overview:
Most foreign nationals require a visitor’s visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. Some other people may only need their valid passport to be able to travel to Canada. A visitor visa is also referred to as a temporary resident visa (TRV). A visitor’s visa is an official document stuck in your passport if your application for TRV is approved. A visitor’s visa or a TRV shows that you meet the requirements needed to enter Canada.
Key Highlights About the Program
Canada is a top destination for foreign visitors globally; Canada’s tourist industry accounts for about 2% of Canada’s GDP, according to a report titled “Unlocking the potential of Canada’s Visitor’s Economy”. In 2015, international tourism injected $17.2 billion into Canada’s economy. In that same year 2015, Canada granted about 1,269,679 TRVs and eTA to allow international visitors to Canada. In 2019, Canada granted about 5,774,342 TRV’s and eTA were issued to allow foreign nationals to visit Canada. For a foreign national to succeed in their Visitor’s visa application, they must convince the visa officer that the purpose of their visit to Canada is genius and that they will leave Canada at the end of their visit to Canada. They must also show that they have sufficient funds for their trip to Canada.
Program Eligibility Requirements
- You must have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics.
- You must be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada
- You must meet the program’s selection criteria such as experience, education, age, language abilities, adaptability.
- You must meet the medical admissibility requirement.
- You must meet other admissibility requirements such as having no criminal record or must not be a security risk.
- You must show sufficient proof of funds for yourself and any dependent family member.
Program Specific Data Analysis
Number of TRV's Issued in 2019 By Top Source Countries
Data Source: Statistic and Open Data
Top 4 Sources Countries - Visitors Visas Approved by IRCC 2014 to 2016
Data Source: Top Source Countries – Visitor Visas (V-1 Counterfoil Only) Approved by IRCC (in Persons) Open Data
Key Candidates for the Program
- Key candidates for visitor’s visas are foreign nationals who require a visa to visit Canada. Visitors are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, but who are legally authorized to enter Canada to visit on holiday, visit family, or conduct business. Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. A border services officer at the port of entry will stamp your passport with the date you need to leave Canada. Visitors to Canada are subject to various conditions that they must abide by if they want to have temporary legal status.
Step by Step Process
Find Out If You Need A Visa Or An ETA
The first step before applying for a visitor’s visa is to find out if you need a visa to travel. While most people need a visa or an eTA to travel to Canada, some people may only need their valid passport.
Gather Your Documents
Gather your documents such as your passports, proof of funds, proof of ties to your country of residence, etc.
Apply for a Visa
There are two methods of applying for a visitor visa, you can either apply for a visitor visa online or on paper and submit it at a visa application center in your Country. Follow these links to learn more about whether you require a visa or are visa-exempt and you need an eTA to board a flight to Canada.
Apply Now!
HOW TO APPLY
There are two methods of applying for a visitor visa; you can either apply for a visitor visa online or on paper and submit it at a visa application center in your Country.
How to apply online
Before submitting your application, read the instruction guide carefully. To make an online application, you will be required to complete the necessary form, validate, print, sign, and upload. To successfully submit an online application, you need the following:
- A scanner or camera to scan or capture the electronic copies of all your supporting documents which must be uploaded,
- A valid credit card to make payment online.
Follow this link to create an account online and apply for a visitor’s visa.
You will be required to create an account online. Once the account has been created, you can start an application for a visitor’s visa. Submit your application, upload all your supporting documents, and make payment for your application online. Your online account can also be used to receive messages related to your application, check the status of your application, and update your information if necessary.
To submit a paper-based application, visitors must read the instruction guide to get all the details to apply on paper. Find the link to the instruction guide IMM 5256: Visit a Visa Application Centers (VACs) to submit your paper application. The service fee charged by VAC differs from one country to another. Follow this link to find out about VAC in your country.
Payment of Fees
The application fee for one visitor is $100. You might need to pay other third-party fees directly to the third party depending on your situation, including the Visa Application Centre fee and medical examination fee.
Biometrics
If required, you must give your biometrics. Fingerprints and photos will be taken. After you submit your application and pay the biometrics fee, you will receive a letter that says you need to give your biometrics. The letter will tell you how and where to give your biometrics. You have up to 30 days to provide your biometrics. Visit this link to learn more about how to give your biometrics. Estimated Cost – $85 CAD Individual.
Processing time
- Standard Processing Time for a visitor’s visa or a TRV:
The processing times for a visitor’s visa or a TRV application varies from one country to another. Follow this link to check the processing time for your Country.
Latest Program Updates
Due to the covid-19 pandemic, there are travel restrictions put in place to stop discretionary travel to Canada. As a result of the travel restriction, an individual with a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA), may not be able to travel to Canada at this time or be guaranteed entry to Canada until the restrictions are lifted. However, IRCC has resumed the processing of online applications for visitor’s visas or eTA.
Historical Program Data
The chart below shows the number of TRVs and eTA issued from 2015 to 2019.
Number Of TRV & ETA Issued From 2015 to 2019
References:
- IRCC Website on Visitor’s Visa
- Data Source: 2020 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration – Canada.ca
- “Unlocking the potential of Canada’s Visitor’s Economy.
- Data Source: Top Source Countries – Visitor Visas (V-1 Counterfoil Only) Approved by IRCC (in Persons) Open Data
Looking for transparent Immigration to Canada?
Program Video
Being
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.