Canada Visitor Visa Visiting Canada
Whether it’s to visit friends or family, take in some of the incredible sights, or find out if Canada is the right place for a permanent move, millions of people visit Canada every year! A Canadian visitor visa allows tourists to stay in the country for up to six months at a time.
The Canadian government is working hard to encourage young, skilled workers to make Canada their home in the coming years. While economic immigration to Canada becomes faster and more efficient, now may be the right time to explore what Canada has to offer as a visitor.
Unless you are from a country that is visa-exempt, you require a visitor visa (sometimes called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV) in order to enter the country. If you’re applying for a study permit or a work permit, then the TRV will be included as a part of your application. However, if you want to come to Canada only to visit, then you have to apply for a visitor visa on your own.
Visa-exempt countries are those with whom Canada has agreements that allow their citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada without a visitor visa:
Visa-exempt countries | |
---|---|
Andorra | |
Australia | |
Austria | |
Bahamas | |
Barbados | |
Belgium | |
British citizen | |
British National (Overseas) | |
British overseas citizen (re-admissible to the United Kingdom) | |
British overseas territory citizen with citizenship through birth, descent, naturalization or registration in one of the British overseas territories of: | |
Anguilla | |
Bermuda | |
British Virgin Islands | |
Cayman Islands | |
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) | |
Gibraltar | |
Montserrat | |
Pitcairn Island | |
Saint Helena | |
Turks and Caicos Islands | |
British Subject with a right of abode in the United Kingdom | |
Brunei Darussalam | |
Bulgaria | |
Chile | |
Croatia | |
Cyprus | |
Czech Republic | |
Denmark | |
Estonia | |
Finland | |
France | |
Germany | |
Greece | |
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, must have a passport issued by Hong Kong SAR. | |
Hungary | |
Iceland | |
Ireland | |
Israel, must have a national Israeli passport | |
Italy | |
Japan | |
Republic of Korea | |
Latvia | |
Liechtenstein | |
Lithuania | |
Luxembourg | |
Malta | |
Mexico | |
Monaco | |
Netherlands | |
New Zealand | |
Norway | |
Papua New Guinea | |
Poland | |
Portugal | |
Romania (electronic passport holders only) | |
Samoa | |
San Marino | |
Singapore | |
Slovakia | |
Slovenia | |
Solomon Islands | |
Spain | |
Sweden | |
Switzerland | |
Taiwan, must have an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number | |
United Arab Emirates | |
Lawful permanent resident of United States | |
Vatican City State, must have a passport or travel document issued by the Vatican |
Canada offers two kinds of visitor visas: single-entry and multiple-entry. The single-entry visa will allow foreign nationals to cross into Canada once. Those with multiple-entry visas can enter and exit as often as they like within the valid duration of their visa. A visitor visa can be granted for a period of up to six months. However, the duration of the visa will be decided by the immigration officer handling your case.
If you have children or grandchildren living in Canada, you might qualify for the super visa for parents and grandparents. This multiple-entry visa allows you to stay in the country for up to two years at a time, helping you to spend more time with your loved ones.
You have the option to extend your visitor visa from inside Canada only if your temporary status is still valid. Remaining in Canada with an expired visitor visa and no in-process extension application can jeopardize future immigration applications. If you have completed the extension application before the expiry of your visa, you can remain in Canada under implied status until the application is processed.
If you are travelling to Canada for business, you may be required to obtain a business visitor visa. It should be noted, however, that this visa is not for temporary foreign workers. A separate work permit is needed to directly engage in the Canadian labour market.
Those travelling to Canada from visa-exempt countries do not require a visitor visa to enter the country. Visa-exempt visitors can enter Canada for a period of up to six months.
If you are from a visa-exempt country and traveling to Canada by airplane, you must hold an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) from the Canadian government. Visa-exempt travellers entering Canada by sea or land will not need an eTA.
United States citizens can travel into and out of Canada with just their valid U.S. passport, no eTA required.
Fortunately, applications for an eTA are fast and affordable. You can secure an eTA by visiting the Canadian government website, inputting the required information, and paying the $7 CAD government fee. Most eTA applications are processed in just a few minutes, but in some cases, it can take several days, so it’s best to apply in advance of your flight. If approved, an eTA remains valid for 5 years or until the expiry of your passport.
If you are coming to Canada as an international student or temporary worker of a visa-exempt country, the Canadian government will automatically issue you an eTA with your study or work permit.
Interested in learning more about immigration to Canada? Complete our online free assessment and a member of our team will be with you shortly to discuss your options!
Get StartedImmigration Tips
CELPIP stands for the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program and is an English test that allows test takers to demonstrate their ability to function […]
Canada Permanent Residence
If your overseas Express Entry permanent residence (PR) application has been approved, you will eventually need to move to Canada. Many new confirmed PRs choose […]
Canada Work Permit
The job vacancy rate in Canada was at an all-time high at the end of 2021. While various jobs are in-demand across Canada, several have […]
Canada Permanent Residence
When applying for Canadian permanent residence, immigration officers may use several methods to verify your work experience history.
Study-2-Immigrate
With FHS Express Entry draws paused indefinitely, many international graduates feel limited in their options to remain in Canada after their PGWP expires.
Study Permit
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed education across the globe; with online learning becoming the new norm, there has been some confusion surrounding whether a permit is required to study online in Canada.
Inadmissibility
If you have a criminal record and are planning to come to Canada, it is important to understand the types of crimes that will make […]
Canada Permanent Residence
A question we are often asked is, “What is the best province in Canada for immigrants?” With Canada being the second-largest country in the world, […]
Study Permit
Looking to change from a study permit to a work permit? The process will depend on where you are at in your program.
Canada Permanent Residence
As of May 6, 2021, essential workers and international graduates currently working in Canada can apply for Canadian permanent residency under favourable new Immigration programs.
Canada Work Permit
Starting February 8th 2021, eligible Hong Kong residents can apply for a 3 year Canadian open work permit, designed to give highly educated Hong Kong residents the opportunity to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Canada Permanent Residence
In order to finish your application process for Canadian permanent residency, you need to land in Canada. As of June 21, 2021, applicants who have […]
Canada Permanent Residence
Nigerian immigration to Canada has become increasingly popular in recent years. In fact, Nigeria is one of the main source countries of Canada’s immigrant population; […]
Canada Permanent Residence
The Lebanese population in Canada is one of the fastest growing demographics. In 2001, there were nearly 144,000 Lebanese in Canada. According to the 2016 […]
Canada Permanent Residence
There are many options to immigrate to Canada from India. In fact, Indian nationals have the highest success rate when applying for Canadian immigration compared […]
Work in Canada
Many foreign nationals look to Canada as a land of opportunity, hoping to secure a comfortable life for themselves and their families. One of the […]
International Students
Most colleges and universities require international students to show they are comfortable working in English or French, but there are some exceptions. Hopeful international students […]
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) has been growing in strides since its introduction in 2017, and has quickly become a promising option for those interested […]
International Students
If you want to come study in Canada as an international student, you might be wondering which province you should study in. Are there benefits to […]
Study Permit
Canada is becoming an increasingly popular destination for international students coming from all over the world. Before you can come to study in Canada, there are a few […]
Living in Canada
Considering making the move across the border from the U.S. to Canada? You’re not alone. In 2021, close to 12,000 U.S. residents made the move […]
International Students
Speedy processing times for study permits, top-quality educational institutions, and an open and welcoming society are just some of the factors that influence international students […]
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Provincial nomination certificates have become an increasingly popular way to immigrate to Canada. There are dozens of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), each with its own […]
International Students | Study Permit
Studying in Canada is a dream come true for many international students. When you receive a letter of acceptance from a Canadian school, it might […]
Immigration Tips
To be eligible for most Canadian economic immigration programs, you need to have some work experience. For many streams, that work experience needs to be […]
International Students
There are a lot of great benefits to being an international student in Canada, including the ability to bring family with you while you study. […]
Work in Canada
Canada’s tech sector is booming and needs labour to sustain its growth; for this reason, the Canadian government offers ample immigration options for tech workers […]
Canada Permanent Residence
If you are planning to immigrate to Canada as a single parent, there are few things you should know before you start the process.
Uncategorized
Canada’s low employment rate, high quality of life, and boundless opportunities make it a great country for new graduates. If you’ve just completed a foreign […]
Immigration Tips
An Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) is an official document that confirms that Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has received your application. IRCC issues an AOR […]
Discover your Canadian immigration options. Get your free assessment now!