Canada Visitor Visa Guide

The demand for Canada visitor visas has been on the rise in recent years. Did you know that in 2022 alone, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada processed about 4.8 million applications for visitor visas? In 2021, around 2.5 million applications were processed for the same type of visa.

Hence, it is no wonder that people want to visit Canada. It’s a country with amazing diverse cultural communities, enthralling natural landscapes, and varied destinations for fun and adventurous visits! 

If you want your visa to be approved sooner, check out some amazing tips we have listed below! 

Canada Visitor Visa

A Canada visitor visa is also known as a Temporary Resident Visa(TRV) which is a type of travel document that allows individuals from foreign countries to enter and stay temporarily in another country for tourism, business, or visiting family and friends. They actually stick this document in the passport, once they make sure that you qualify for the visa.

Download Free Immigration and PR Guide PDF

Tips for Canada Visitors Visa Application Approval

Some helpful tips to get visa approval are below 👇 

1. Never Hide Information: Any kind of information that you should enter in your application should be there. Make sure that you enter only the honest information regarding your situation. In case there’s missing information, the visa officer may reject your application. 

2. Be Healthy: Canadian rules and regulations work towards the safety of Canadians. If the immigration officer believes that you pose a threat to the health of Canadians, they may reject your visa application. 

3. Prove Ties to Home Country: You should properly prove that you have strong ties to your home country and hence after the end of your stay in Canada, you will go back. 

4. Do NOT Submit Incomplete Application: The visa applicant needs to submit all the documents and provide all the necessary information in the visa application. Submitting an incomplete application is one of the most common mistakes that lead to visa refusal. 

5. Prove your Funds: You need to have enough funds that will support you during your stay in Canada. If you don’t have enough financial support, the visa officer may reject your application. 

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

Usually, a visitor visa holder can stay in Canada for around 6 months. When you enter Canada, a border officer will look through your documents at the port of entry and then, they may put a date stamp on your passport by which you would need to leave the country. This time period could be more or less than six months. 

Sometimes, they may not put a definite date on the passport, and hence, in that case, you could stay in Canada for about six months from the date you entered or when your passport expires. If your passport expires before you can stay in Canada for 6 months, you will need to leave. 

5 Steps to Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa

The process of applying for a Canada visitor visa is a really easy one. All you need to do is follow these 5 steps mentioned below! 

Step 1- Gather Necessary Documents

First of all, on the basis of your visit purpose, you need to gather some documents. These documents will show that you qualify for the visa. Since we are talking about visiting Canada as a tourist, let’s check out which documents tourists need to submit with their visa application. 

• Identity document- Passport/travel document

• Family Information- Completed IMM 5645 form 

• Use of a Representative (if applicable)- Completed IMM 5476 form 

• Minor Children (if applicable)- a letter authorizing the minor child to travel; other important documents

Step 2- Create an Online Account

Now, you need to create an online account, upload the required documents as stated above, and then pay the visa fees. 

Step 3- Give Biometrics

After you are done applying online, go ahead and give your biometric information. Your biometric information consists of your photograph and fingerprints. Do you know what happens after biometrics Canada ? IRCC will begin processing your visa application. 

Step 4- Send Passport

In case your application is approved, you will be asked to send your passport. 

Step 5- Fly to Canada!

Now you can start preparing for your travel to and arrival in Canada! 

Who is eligible to apply for a visitor visa?

List of requirements to apply for a visitor visa:

• Have no convictions regarding crimes or immigration 
• Have a travel document 
• Be in good health
• Have ties to your home country so you can go back 
• Have enough finances to last your stay
• Convince the visa officer that you will go back to your country

Canada Visitor Visa Application Processing Time

A visitor visa may take around 18-31 days to be processed. 

If you are applying from outside Canada, it may take around 28 days to get processed. 

Online application from inside Canada takes about 18 days, while on paper applications take about 31 days. 

In case you applied for an extension-

• Online application: 89 days
• On-paper application: 125 days 
  

What is a Canada visitor visa?

A Canada visitor visa is an official document issued by IRCC that allows you to temporarily stay in Canada. You may visit your family, travel around, or attend a business meeting in the country. 

What is the cost of Canadian visitor visa?

A Canada visitor visa costs about CAD$185. 

Can I bring my dependent family members on a Canada visitor visa?

Yes, you can bring your family members with you to Canada. But they need to apply for separate visa applications for it.

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