Canada Visitor Visa

Canada is home to millions of visitors each year. In fact, more than 35 million people visit Canada every year to enjoy the many opportunities the country has to offer, including visiting family and friends. If you wish to come to Canada for a temporary purpose, you may need a TRV, unless you are a citizen from a “visa exempt” country.

Do I Need a Tourist Visa to Visit Canada?

Before starting the Canada visitor visa application process, it’s important to understand whether you need one or not before entering Canada.

In other cases, you may be an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel.

What Is A Canadian TRV (Visitor Visa)?

A Canada Visitor Visa also referred to as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Canada Tourist Visa, is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (either as a visitor, a student, or a worker).

Types of Canada Visitor Visas

1- Visit/Tourism
2- Study: This permit allows students to study in Canada for a temporary period of time, and typically indicates the educational institution they are attending and the course of study.
3- Work: A Canadian work permit is a visa that gives you permission to take a job within Canada if you are from a foreign country. You usually need a work permit to work in Canada.
4- Temporary Resident: Temporary residence status refers to people who wish to come to Canada to visit, work or study. They are coming to Canada for a temporary period and are therefore considered visitors.
5- Business: This visa allows eligible applicants to explore dynamic business opportunities throughout Canada as well as experience Canadian culture.

How Long Can I Stay in Canada on a Tourist Visa?

Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. At the port of entry, the immigration border services may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. Once you are given a period of stay, they’ll put the date you need to leave in your passport. The immigration officer might also give you a document called a visitor record, which will show the date you need to leave by.

Canada Tourist Visa Requirements

To qualify for a TRV, there are a few basic requirements you must meet which include:

have a valid travel document (like a passport)
be in good health
have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets, or family that will take you back to your home country
convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
have enough money for your stay

How to Apply for a Tourist Visa in Canada

There are three major steps to successfully applying for Canada Visitor Visa. These steps include:

Step 1: Check if you’re eligible to travel to Canada

Step 2: Gather all your supporting documents

Step 3: Apply Online

Documents Required For Canada Tourist Visa

There are five major documents you are required to show when applying for a TRV. Note that each immigration case is a little different depending on your specific situation, but generally, you should have the following documentation when applying for a ‘Temporary Resident Visa’ in Canada.

Canada Visitor Visa Checklist

1. Proof of your ties to your home country
2. Proof of funds for your visit to Canada
3. ID such as a passport or county resident card
4. A letter of invitation from the person inviting you to come to Canada
5. Proof that you will be staying in Canada only on a temporary basis

Visitor Visa Extensions: Can I Extend My Canada Visitor Visa Status?

If you are in Canada on a visitor visa and wish to apply for an extension of your stay in Canada, you need to get visitor status. You can apply for visitor status from within Canada at a Canadian immigration office. However, you should apply before the expiration of your current visitor status. As a general note, when you come to Canada as a ‘visitor’, you will be given visitor status for a six month period. If your visitor status expires but you have already applied for an extension and are waiting for your renewal, you have what is called implied status, until a final decision is made on your extension application. If your application for an extension is refused, you can apply for restoration of status, so long as your application is made within 90 days of the refusal date.

How to Extend a Canadian Visitor Visa

If you’re currently in Canada and want to stay longer than your visa’s expiration date, you could file for an extension. In order to apply for an extension, you will need to fill out an IMM 5708 Form.

If your application to extend your stay in Canada is approved, you will receive a visitor record.

A visitor record:

  • is a document that says how long you can stay in Canada
  • includes an expiry date
    • that’s the date that you must leave Canada by

A visitor record does not guarantee entry to Canada. If you plan to travel outside Canada or the United States, you need a valid entry document to return to Canada.

What are the Requirements to Extend a Canada Visitor Visa?

  • You need to currently be in Canada
  • You need to hold a current passport that will stay valid for the duration of your stay
  • You will need to pay the associated fee for Form IMM 5708
  • You will need to ensure that any other permits that you hold (Study or work) will stay valid and not interfere with your visitor permit.
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