At a glance
| Visa fee | $100 per person |
| Family fee (max) | $500 for a family of 5+ applying together |
| Biometrics | $85 per person, $170 max per family |
| eTA (visa-exempt countries) | $7 |
| Visa validity | Usually multiple-entry, up to 10 years or passport expiry |
| Stay per visit | Usually up to 6 months (decided at the border) |
Do I need a visitor visa or an eTA?
| You need | If you are |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa (TRV) | A citizen of a visa-required country, such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Vietnam or the Philippines |
| eTA | A citizen of a visa-exempt country (for example the UK, France or Australia) flying to Canada |
| Neither | A US citizen, or a visa-exempt citizen arriving by land or sea |
Citizens of some visa-required countries (for example, some citizens of the Philippines) may be eligible for an eTA instead of a visa when flying, if they meet certain conditions. Arriving by car, bus, train or boat still needs a visa.
Visitor visa requirements
You must show the officer that you:
- Have a valid passport
- Are in good health
- Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
- Have ties to your home country, such as a job, home, family or business, that will take you back
- Will leave Canada at the end of your visit
- Have enough money for your stay and return trip
- Have a clear purpose for your visit
The officer decides based on the documents you send. There is usually no interview. That is why the quality of your documents matters so much.
Visitor visa documents checklist
Identity
- Valid passport (all pages with stamps and visas)
- Digital photo
- Marriage certificate and children's birth certificates, if travelling as a family
Purpose of visit
- Letter explaining your trip (who, where, when, why)
- Invitation letter from a family member or friend in Canada (if visiting someone)
- Travel itinerary or hotel bookings (do not buy tickets before approval)
- Event or business invitation (for conferences, weddings, graduations)
Finances
- Bank statements for the last 4–6 months
- Income tax returns
- Property documents, fixed deposits or investments
- Sponsor documents if someone in Canada is paying (income proof, status in Canada)
Ties to home country
- Employment letter with job title, salary, approved leave and return date
- Business registration and tax documents (if self-employed)
- Property ownership documents
- Proof of family staying behind
- Student enrolment letter (for students)
Travel history
- Copies of past visas and travel stamps (US, UK, Schengen, Australia etc.)
How to write an invitation letter
If you are visiting family or friends, the person in Canada should write a letter that includes:
About the visitor: full name, date of birth, address, phone, relationship to the host, purpose of the trip, dates of the trip, where they will stay and who will pay for the trip.
About the host: full name, date of birth, address and phone in Canada, job title, status in Canada (citizen, PR, work permit), and a copy of their status document and proof of income.
An invitation letter does not guarantee a visa. The officer still checks the visitor's own ties and finances.
How to apply: step by step
- Check if you need a visa or an eTA.
- Gather documents using the checklist above.
- Create an IRCC account and fill in the online application.
- Upload documents and a clear letter of explanation.
- Pay fees (visa + biometrics).
- Give biometrics at a Visa Application Centre within 30 days of the instruction letter.
- Wait for a decision. If approved, send your passport for the visa sticker.
- At the border, the officer decides how long you can stay.
Common reasons for visitor visa refusal
| Refusal reason | What it usually means | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Ties to home country | Officer is not sure you will go back | Stronger proof of job, property, family and approved leave |
| Financial situation | Funds look low or unexplained | Clear bank history, tax returns and source of funds |
| Purpose of visit | The reason for your trip is unclear or does not match your profile | Detailed purpose letter and supporting proof |
| Travel history | Little or no international travel | Explain your situation; travel history is not required but helps |
| Family ties in Canada | Many family members in Canada and few at home | Show what brings you back home |
| Immigration intent | Officer thinks you plan to stay | Consistent story; separate PR plans clearly |
My visa was refused. What now?
- Read the refusal letter carefully. Many now include the officer's reasons.
- Order your GCMS notes for the full reasons, if needed.
- Fix each concern with new evidence. Reapplying with the same documents usually gets the same result.
- Consider judicial review if the officer made a clear error (strict deadlines apply).
Rules while visiting Canada
- You cannot work in Canada as a visitor, except in limited business visitor cases.
- You can study in a short course or program of 6 months or less.
- Extending your stay: apply for a visitor record before your status expires ($100).
- Changing status: in most cases, visitors cannot apply for a work permit from inside Canada. The temporary policy that allowed this ended on August 28, 2024. Visitors may need to apply for a study permit from outside Canada in many cases.
Visitor visa for parents: Super Visa or regular visa?
If you want your parents or grandparents to stay longer, the Super Visa lets them stay up to 5 years per visit. A regular visitor visa usually allows up to 6 months per visit.
How Trueman Immigration helps
- Profile review: we check ties, finances and purpose before you apply
- Document plan: what to include and how to present it
- Letters: purpose of visit letter, invitation letter guidance
- Application filing: complete and accurate forms
- Refusal review: clear plan to reapply with stronger evidence
- Visitor record extensions for people already in Canada