Most visitors to Canada and those passing through Canadian airports en route to their final destination require a visitor visa. Read more about the Canada Visitor Visa, the necessary documents, and the application process on this page.

About Canada Visitor Visa

A visitor visa to Canada is an official document that must be attached to a visitor passport. The official document certifies that you meet the requirements for visiting Canada.

Most Canada Visitor Visas allow visitors to stay in Canada for no more than six months. The duration of stay is mostly determined by border service officers at the point of entry into Canada. The border services officer will write the date you must leave Canada in your passport or give you a document called a visitor record that will show the date you must leave.

Keep this in mind if you’re passing through a Canadian airport en route to your final destination. In order to pass through a Canadian airport on your way to your destination, you might also need a transit document. Learn more about a transiting document from Canada.

It is expeccted that your Canada visitor visa passport have a stamp, so, if you need a stamp, you can ask a border services officer for one. Though you can stay for 6 months from the day you entered Canada or until your passport expires if you don’t get a stamp in your passport.

You will first need to authenticate your identity and submit an on-screen declaration at a primary inspection kiosk or eGate once you arrive at one of Canada’s international airports. Ask the border officer to direct you to the primary inspection kiosk to verify your identity and submit an on-screen declaration. Check lists of Canada’s international airport where primary inspection Kiosks are available.

Steps to Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa

To visit Canada, you may either need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization. Make sure you need a visitor visa for Canada before you apply. Find out if you need a visitor visa.

The entry document you need depends on the type of visitor visa, the issuing country, your nationality, and your travel method. However, you can apply for a visitor visa to Canada online or on paper.

Steps to apply for a Canada visitor visa:

• Get required documents
• Apply for visa
• Capture your Finger Print
• Move to Canada

Check the visitor visa document requirements

The requirements for supporting documents are checked in the second step. The necessary supporting documents will demonstrate whether you are eligible for a visitor visa. Nevertheless, this will depend on why you are visiting Canada.

You might be visiting Canada for one of the following reasons:

• Tourist
• Business
• To see family
• Compassionate reasons

Check the list of documents in light of your ambition. Find out what documents you are required to have.

Do the following to know the required supporting documents for a Canada visitor visa:

• What brings you to Canada? Select what you want by pressing the downward arrow.
• Do you meet the requirements for the fully immunized traveler exemption? either Yes or No.

Apply online for a Canada Visitor Visa

There are three basic steps you need to follow to complete your online visitor visa application:

1. Create an account
2. Upload your documents
3. Pay your fees

Give your fingerprints and photo

Your biometric information must be submitted with the visitor visa application. At the local visa center, you can provide your biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). However, there are temporary solutions for biometrics in place if your local visa application center is closed as a result of COVID-19.

Find out here what next to do for your biometrics.

Check your eligibility to travel to Canada

Checking whether you qualify for an electronic travel authorization or a visitor visa to Canada should be your first step. If you discover that you are qualified for a Canada visitor visa, you must present proof of your qualification.

There are some basic requirements you must meet to get a visitor visa:

• You must 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.

Some people are prohibited from entering the country for a variety of reasons, such as:

• criminal activity
• human rights violations
• organized crime

You might also be denied entry for safety, medical, or financial reasons. Learn more about inadmissibility.

Canada Visitor visa Processing

After you submit your application, how does the Canada Immigration Department handle it?

They examine your application to ensure that you have all the required documentation. They will return your application unprocessed if it is incomplete. They’ll ask you to send them your passport if they accept your application.

If your application is accepted, send your passport. You’ll receive instructions on how to obtain your visa in a message from the immigration department; simply follow them.

Move to Canada

Get ready for your Canada trip. When entering Canada, the border services officer may require you to present additional documents in addition to those you submitted with your visa application.

How do the Canada immigration process your application after you’ve submitted. Check the list of documents you may need before traveling to Canada