A Canada Tourist Visa, officially known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), allows eligible travellers from visa-required countries to visit Canada for tourism, visiting family or friends, attending short business activities, or transit purposes.
The visa is placed in the applicant’s passport and confirms that they have met the basic requirements to travel to Canada. It does not guarantee entry; the final decision on admission and permitted length of stay is made by a Canada Border Services Officer upon arrival.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
A Canada Tourist Visa, officially called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), allows eligible foreign nationals to travel to Canada temporarily for tourism, holidays, visiting friends or family, or certain short business activities. It is placed in the applicant’s passport after approval. A visa does not guarantee entry: the final decision on admission and permitted length of stay is made by the border services officer when the traveller arrives in Canada.
Whether a traveller needs a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) depends on their nationality, travel document and method of travel. Most visa-required nationals must obtain a TRV before travelling to or transiting through Canada.
Applicants must satisfy the visa officer that they are genuine temporary visitors. This generally means demonstrating that they:
There is no single published minimum bank-balance requirement. Financial evidence is assessed in relation to the length of stay, travel plans, accommodation and who will cover the expenses.
Most applicants must apply online. Paper applications are generally limited to applicants who cannot apply online because of a disability or who hold certain refugee, stateless or non-citizen travel documents.
Current standard fees are:
Most applicants aged 14 to 79 must provide fingerprints and a photograph. Biometrics are generally valid for 10 years. Applicants should wait for the official Biometrics Instruction Letter before booking an appointment at an authorized Visa Application Centre.
IRCC decides whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. A multiple-entry visitor visa can generally be valid for up to 10 years, or until the passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.
Most visitors may stay in Canada for up to six months per entry. However, the border officer may grant a shorter or longer stay and may record the departure date in the passport or issue a visitor record.
A Canada Tourist Visa is not a work permit. Visitors must not work in Canada unless separately authorized. Short courses of up to six months may be possible without a study permit in certain circumstances, but longer studies generally require the appropriate permit.
Processing times change regularly depending on the country of application, application volume, completeness of documents and whether IRCC requests further review. Published timelines are estimates, not guarantees.
Complete the Canada Visitor Visa Evaluation Form to help us assess your profile, supporting documents, travel purpose and eligibility for a Canadian visitor visa.
Click the button below to download the form.