VISITOR VISA

Do you want to visit Canada? To travel to beautiful places, visit specific tourist sites, or visit family members or friends? A visitor visa allows foreign nationals like yourself to enter Canada as a visitor.

Whether you are an international student looking to study, or a temporary worker looking to work, or visiting for tourism, you are required to apply for a visitor visa for your temporary stay in Canada.

What are the Different Types of Visitor Visas?

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) authorizes you to stay in Canada as a temporary resident for a period of time. If you are from a visa-exempt country, then you don’t need to apply for a TRV.

The TRV is also referred to as a “Visitor Visa”.

A visitor visa comes in 2 different types:

A single entry visa is issued 6 months before the expected date of entry.

A single-entry visitor visa allows you to enter Canada once during the validity period.

A multiple-entry visa can be issued for a maximum period of 5 years or 1 month before the expiry date on your passport, whichever is earlier.

A multiple-entry visa allows you to reenter Canada as many times as you want during the validity period.

The maximum period of stay allowed to a visitor is 6 months from the date of arrival.

Who is Eligible for a Visitor Visa?

To be eligible for being a visitor in Canada, you must fulfill the following conditions:

• Be on a vacation or holiday
• Have extended family you want to visit
• Aiming to conduct business activities
• Have enough funds to support your stay
• Have no former criminal cases or medical issues that might prevent you from entering Canada

The length of stay allowed is restricted to various conditions. Citizens of certain countries might need to provide biometric information in order to confirm identity, review past crimes or previous challenges with Canadian immigration.

What are the Different Options Available for Visitor Visas?

You can apply for a visitor visa in the following capacities:

Study Permit: A study permit authorizes you to get enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada as an international student.

Super Visa: The Super Visa is specially designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to visit family for an extended period. Super Visa allows them to stay in Canada for up to 2 years without the need for any extensions.

Business Visitor: A Business Visitor can visit Canada to engage in business activities that do not directly contribute to the Canadian labor market. A Business Visitor Visa allows you to expand your business networks, attend business conferences or events.

Temporary Residence for World Athletes and Related Occupations: Canadian temporary visa requirements for world athletes, coaches, referees, and related occupations depends on the purpose of their visit. However, in most cases, a visitor visa is sufficient.

Visitor Visa Extension: Extending your visitor visa authorizes you to extend your stay in Canada for a period of time if your current visa is about to expire. A visitor record will provide you a new expiry date for your departure. Extensions must be applied 30 days before the expiry of your current visa.

Visa Extension: Visa extensions are required once your previous authorization is about to expire. Visa extensions can be applied by visitors, study permit holders, and work permit holders. A visa extension must be applied 30 days before your current visa expires.

Temporary Travel Document: Canada issues temporary travel documents to permanent residents who have lost their PR card and want to return to Canada. They must verify their identity and fulfill residency obligations to be eligible. A permanent resident travel document (PRTD) is valid for single entry and allows you to enter Canada by a commercial vehicle.

What are the Requirements for a Visitor Visa?

If you are looking to enter Canada and you are not a permanent resident or from a visa-exempt country, then you’d require a visitor visa.

Canada has agreements with several countries that allow citizens from that specific nation to enter Canada without a visitor visa. They still require a valid travel authorization.

Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents can enter Canada without a visitor visa.

Depending on the purpose of your visit, you may have to apply for different forms of visitor visa. For example, if you are coming to Canada for business purposes, then you may need a Business Visitor Visa.