Canada stands as a popular travel destination worldwide due to its natural beauty alongside its multicultural cities and friendly immigration procedures. A Canada Tourist Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) provides access to the entire country for recreational purposes and family visits and temporary business ventures.
The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) category of Canada provides two types of tourist visas to foreign nationals. These visas enable foreign nationals to legally enter Canada for tourism and family visits or short-term business activities.
The Single Entry Visa allows one visit to Canada. A new visa is required for re-entry after leaving the country except for trips to the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon. The visa is typically provided for unique travel circumstances.
The Multiple Entry Visa enables users to travel back and forth between Canada and their home country without restrictions for a period of 10 years or until the passport expiration. The visa permits stays of six months each visit which suits tourists and business travelers as well as family members.
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Canadian tourist visa applicants need to meet the following requirements:
The application for a Canada Tourist Visa demands the following documents:
The process to acquire a Canada Tourist Visa includes the following steps:
Step 1: Begin by setting up an account at the IRCC portal.
Step 2: Complete the application form online followed by document uploads.
Step 3: Pay the visa application fee along with the biometrics fee if required.
Step 4: Schedule and show up at a VAC (Visa Application Centre) for your biometric appointment.
Step 5: Your application decision will be delivered through online tracking or email updates
The processing times for obtaining a Canada Tourist Visa depend on where the applicant lives and the time of year and the volume of applications.
| Visa type | Processing time |
| Single Entry Visa | 8 to 40 days |
| Multiple Entry Visa | 8 to 40 days |
Note: The recommended time to apply is at least 8 weeks before your planned travel to avoid any delays.
The table below has details of Canada visit visa fees:
| Fees | $CAN |
| Visitor visa (including super visa) - per person | 100 |
| Visitor visa – per family (1 fee per family of 5 or more people) | 500 |
| Extend your stay as a visitor – per person | 100 |
| Restore your status as a visitor | 239 |
| (Visa fee not needed) |
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Canada welcomes tourists on visitor visas for a standard stay of up to six months. Visitors entering Canada can spend a maximum of 180 days by obtaining a visitor visa. When you reach the border, the officer evaluates your stay based on which an entry stamp is provided in your passport. If your passport entry stamp does not show an end date, you are entitled to stay for six months following your arrival day. Tourists who want to stay longer than their visa expiration date need to submit an extension request about 30 days before their current legal status ends.
The annual number of tourists who visit Canada remains unknown based on the available information. The latest data from Statistics Canada reveals that international travel to Canada reached 27.2 million tourists in 2023 which marks a strong recovery after the pandemic. The United States contributed 21.2 million tourists to Canadian tourism while the remaining 6 million came from other countries including France and India and Mexico and the UK as well as China. The 2023 tourism data accounts for about 84% of the international visitor count from 2019 when Canada saw 32.4 million international arrivals
The process for obtaining a Canada tourist visa starts with an online application through the IRCC portal.
Step 1: Begin your application for a Canada Tourist Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) through the IRCC portal on the internet.
Step 2: The application process requires you to set up an account and complete form IMM 5257 while submitting necessary paperwork before paying the visa cost.
Step 3: The majority of applicants need to submit biometrics during their application process.
The application process might include an interview or requirements for submitting additional paperwork. The approved visa requires you to send your passport to obtain your visa stamp. The duration for visa processing changes based on the country of application so make sure to submit your application at least 8 weeks before your travel date. Your application must be complete at all times to prevent both processing delays and visa rejections.
The fees for a Canada tourist visa is CAD 100. The standard rate for obtaining a Canada Tourist Visa with either single or multiple entries is set at CAD 100. All the visa applicants must pay biometric fees which cost either CAD 85 for one person or CAD 170 for multiple people. When you apply for an extension inside Canada you must pay a processing fee of CAD 100. The payment for visa applications becomes non-refundable regardless of whether the visa gets approved.
The visa application process for Canada requires the following documents. Applying for a Canada Tourist Visa demands the following documents:
Note: IRCC might request additional documents based on your application.
The process to get a Canada tourist visa begins through online submission. The application for a Canada Tourist Visa starts through the IRCC's official website. To start the visa application process, users need to create an account on IRCC's platform before completing form IMM 5257 and uploading their required documents and paying their fees. Visa Application Centre will request biometrics from most applicants after they submit their applications. After reviewing your application, IRCC will require your passport for visa stamping. Applications should be submitted well ahead of processing times which vary. The combination of accurate information and complete documentation will improve your chances of obtaining approval.
The time it takes to process a Canada Tourist Visa (TRV) depends on three factors: the applicant's home country, the time of year, and how complete the application is. The standard period is between 14 and 45 days from the moment your biometrics are received. Applications with missing documents or those filed during peak travel seasons will receive extended processing times. The passport stamping process after approval requires between 7 and 10 working days to complete. The best practice is to apply at least 8 weeks before your planned travel. You can view the status of your visa application by checking your IRCC account online.
A single or multiple-entry visa to Canada costs CAD 100 per person. The application requires biometric data, which costs CAD 85 for individuals or CAD 170 for families. People applying for visa extension from inside Canada have to pay CAD 100. The fees you pay for visa application will not be reimbursed regardless of whether your application is accepted or denied. Service charges may occur at VACs or for courier services. The process of making your payment occurs through your IRCC account during the time when you submit your application.
The duration for processing a Canada Tourist Visa generally lasts between 2 and 6 weeks based on the location of the applicant and the number of applications received and the level of document completion. The majority of applicants must submit biometric information which must be done before the final decision. Processing time updates are available from IRCC through its official website. After receiving approval, your passport will require another 7 to 10 days to receive the visa stamp. The recommended application period is 2 months before your travel date to prevent processing delays specifically during high-traffic periods.
Canada allows tourists to extend their stay in the country before their current visa expiration date. You need to submit a Visitor Record application at least 30 days before your visa ends to stay legally while your request is pending. The extension request needs a payment of CAD 100. All extension applications require detailed explanations of your visit extension reasons with proper supporting documentation such as updated financial statements and travel plans. An official Visitor Record does not provide re-entry permission for Canada after exiting the country.
