Visitor Visa (TRV)
Travel to Canada for tourism, family visits, or business. Learn who needs a visitor visa, how to apply, and how Asteco can help with refusals and reapplications.
What is a Visitor Visa?
A visitor visa — officially called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — is an official document that IRCC places in your passport. It shows that you have met the requirements to travel to Canada as a visitor. Most travellers from countries that do not have a visa-exempt agreement with Canada need a visitor visa before they can enter. A visitor visa is not a guarantee of entry — a border services officer makes the final decision when you arrive.
Are You From a Visa-Exempt Country?
If your country has a visa-exempt agreement with Canada, you do not need a visitor visa. Instead, you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada by air. Citizens of Qatar are now eligible for an eTA as of November 25, 2025 and no longer need a visitor visa.
Visa-exempt countries include the United Kingdom, Australia, most EU countries, Japan, South Korea, and others.
Even if you are visa-exempt, you still need to present yourself to a border services officer at the port of entry and may be asked to show proof of funds, ties to your home country, and purpose of visit.
Learn about the eTAHow Long Can You Stay?
Standard Stay
Most visitors are allowed to stay in Canada for up to 6 months per entry.
At the port of entry, a border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months depending on your circumstances. If they set a specific date, it will be stamped in your passport or noted on a Visitor Record.
If you do not receive a stamp in your passport at entry, you may stay for 6 months from your date of entry, or until your passport or biometrics expire — whichever comes first.
Single Entry vs Multiple Entry Visa
Allows you to enter Canada once. If you leave Canada after entry (including to the US or Mexico), your visa is used up and you cannot re-enter on the same visa.
Officers may issue a single entry visa based on the purpose of visit, travel history, or other factors at their discretion.
Allows you to enter and exit Canada multiple times during the validity period of the visa — up to 10 years or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.
Most applicants with strong applications receive a multiple entry visa. It is generally preferred as it provides maximum flexibility.
Visitor Visa, eTA, or Transit Visa — Which Do You Need?
The document you need to enter Canada depends on your nationality and how you are travelling:
| Document | Who Needs It | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visa (TRV) | Citizens of countries that are not visa-exempt and are not US citizens/PRs. Includes most countries in South Asia, Middle East, Africa, and others. | Online through IRCC or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | Citizens of visa-exempt countries travelling to Canada by air. Does not apply for entry by land or sea. | Online only — takes minutes to process in most cases |
| Transit Visa | Some nationalities transiting through a Canadian airport without entering Canada. Check the IRCC transit visa page to confirm if you need one. | Online through IRCC |
| No document required | US citizens and US permanent residents travelling by land, air, or sea. Must show valid travel document. | N/A |
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for a visitor visa:
Valid Travel Document
You must have a valid passport or other accepted travel document. Your passport should ideally be valid for the full duration of your intended stay in Canada.
Good Health
You must be in good health. Depending on your country of residence and length of stay, IRCC may require you to complete an immigration medical exam with an approved panel physician.
No Criminal or Immigration Convictions
You must have no criminal convictions and no previous immigration violations in Canada or other countries. Certain past convictions can make you inadmissible to Canada.
Ties to Your Home Country
You must convince a visa officer that you have strong reasons to return home after your visit — such as a job, family, property, financial assets, or other commitments. This is one of the most common reasons for refusal when not clearly demonstrated.
Genuine Intention to Leave Canada
You must satisfy the officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. This is assessed based on your travel history, purpose of visit, and personal circumstances.
Sufficient Funds
You must have enough money to cover your stay in Canada — including accommodation, food, transportation, and return travel. The required amount depends on how long you plan to stay and your accommodation arrangements.
You May Also Need
Medical Exam
If you are visiting from a designated country, plan to stay for more than 6 months, or are applying for certain types of permits. IRCC will tell you if a medical exam is required.
Letter of Invitation
If you are visiting family or friends in Canada. The letter should come from your host in Canada and include their status in Canada, contact information, the nature of your relationship, the purpose and duration of your visit, and confirmation they will support you during your stay if applicable.
Biometrics
Most applicants between 14 and 79 years of age are required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo). Once given, biometrics are valid for 10 years.
Inadmissibility — Who May Not Be Allowed to Enter
Some people are inadmissible to Canada regardless of whether they have a valid visa. Common reasons include:
If you have any concerns about your admissibility, consult our RCIC before applying. Applying while inadmissible — without addressing the issue — can result in a refusal and complicate future applications.
Minor Children Travelling to Canada
If minor children (under 18) will be travelling to Canada — whether with you, with someone else, or alone — specific documentation requirements apply. Children travelling without both parents may need a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent(s). Asteco can advise on the specific requirements for your situation.
How to Apply
Apply Online (Recommended)
Most applicants apply online through the IRCC secure account. Online applications are generally processed faster and allow you to track your application status.
Apply on Paper
Paper applications are available for applicants who cannot apply online due to a disability or other reason. Paper applications are submitted through a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in your country.
Visa Application Centre (VAC)
In many countries, you submit biometrics and supporting documents through a designated Visa Application Centre (VAC). VACs are operated by a third-party service provider on behalf of IRCC. VAC service fees are additional to IRCC government fees.
After You Apply
Already in Canada? Extend or Restore Your Status
Extending Your Visitor Status
If you are already in Canada and want to stay longer than originally authorized, you must apply to extend your visitor status before your current authorized stay expires. Applying before your status expires allows you to remain in Canada legally under maintained status while your extension is processed.
Even if your extension is approved, a border services officer at the port of entry makes the final decision on the length of your stay when you re-enter Canada.
Transit Visa
A transit visa (officially called a Temporary Resident Permit for transit) is required by some nationalities when passing through a Canadian airport without entering Canada.
Whether you need a transit visa depends on your nationality and your travel document. Even if you are only transiting and not entering Canada, you may need a transit visa if your country is on the IRCC transit visa requirement list.
Always check the IRCC website before booking connecting flights through Canada to confirm whether you need a transit visa. Asteco can advise on your specific situation.
Visa Refused? Reapplying After a Refusal
Handled professionally and in accordance with CICC regulations
A visitor visa refusal does not mean you cannot reapply. However, simply reapplying with the same documents and information will almost certainly result in another refusal. A successful reapplication requires understanding exactly why the application was refused and addressing those concerns directly with stronger evidence.
Common Refusal Grounds
Understanding why your application was refused is the first step toward a successful reapplication. Select each ground below to learn what it means and how to address it:
How Asteco Approaches Reapplications
Asteco Immigration Consulting provides professional immigration consulting services in accordance with CICC regulations. We do not guarantee visa approvals — no authorized representative can make such a guarantee. Our role is to help you present the strongest possible application based on your individual circumstances.
Government Processing Fees
Government fees are set by IRCC and are subject to change without notice. VAC service fees, courier fees, and other third-party costs are additional and vary by country. Always verify current fees at canada.ca before applying.
IRCC Government Fees — Visitor Visa
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa processing fee | $100 CAD |
| Visitor record (extension) | $100 CAD |
| Restoration of visitor status | $229 CAD + $100 CAD visitor record |
| Transit visa | $100 CAD |
| Biometrics (if required) | $85 CAD |
Important: Government fees are payable directly to IRCC and are separate from Asteco's professional fees. Fees are subject to change by IRCC at any time.
How Asteco Can Help
Visitor visa applications — especially reapplications after refusals — require careful preparation and a thorough understanding of what officers look for. Our RCIC team brings extensive experience with complex visitor visa cases.
Disclaimer: Visitor visa requirements, eligibility criteria, processing times, and government fees are established by IRCC and are subject to change at any time without notice. This page reflects IRCC guidelines as of March 5, 2026. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. A visa officer's decision is final — no authorized representative can guarantee a visa approval. Consult our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.
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Disclaimer: Visitor visa requirements and fees are subject to change by IRCC at any time without notice.