Visiting Canada: How Long Can You Stay?

Published on: May 10th, 2023
Last updated: May 11th, 2023

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.

Find out if you're eligible to immigrate permanently to Canada

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

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

I’m from a country that is not visa-exempt, what will I need to visit?

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.

I’m from a visa-exempt country, what will I need to visit?

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.

Note:

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.

 

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