A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly called a visitor visa, is a document placed in your passport by a Canadian visa office that permits you to seek entry to Canada as a temporary resident. Citizens of countries that do not have visa-exempt status with Canada must obtain a TRV before travelling. The visa itself is not a guarantee of entry — a border services officer at the port of entry makes the final admission decision — but a valid TRV is a prerequisite for boarding most flights bound for Canada.

TRVs are typically issued as multiple-entry visas valid for up to 10 years or until your passport’s expiry date, whichever comes first. A single-entry TRV is also available but is less common. Each visit to Canada on a multiple-entry TRV allows you to stay for the period authorised by the border officer at entry, typically six months, unless they stamp a shorter period in your passport or on a visitor record.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a citizen of a country that requires a visa to visit Canada (not eTA eligible)
• Must demonstrate intent to leave Canada by end of authorized stay (typically 6 months)
• Sufficient funds for the stay and return trip
• Valid passport for duration of intended stay
• No criminal record or immigration violations
• Single or multiple entry; typically valid up to 10 years or passport expiry

Eligibility and Key Requirements

The visitor visa is designed for genuine temporary visitors: tourists, family visitors, business travellers attending meetings or conferences, and individuals seeking medical treatment. You must satisfy IRCC that you will leave Canada by the end of your authorised stay. The officer assesses this through the strength of your ties to your home country — employment, property, family responsibilities, financial assets — and your travel history.

Core eligibility requirements include: a valid passport from a country that requires a Canadian visa; no criminal or immigration inadmissibility in your background; sufficient financial resources for your stay in Canada and your return trip; and a credible reason for your visit. Prior refusals, overstays in Canada or other countries, and previous immigration violations are assessed and can affect approval, though they are not automatically disqualifying if adequately explained.

Citizens of visa-exempt countries (e.g., most EU nations, Australia, Japan, South Korea) do not need a TRV — they need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead. U.S. citizens need neither.

Processing Times and Government Fees

Government fees for a visitor visa are $100 CAD per person, or $500 CAD for a family of five or more applying together. Biometrics are required for most applicants aged 14–79 at $85 CAD per individual or $170 CAD for a family applying together.

Processing times as of March 9, 2026: applications from within Canada average approximately 18 days; India approximately 57 days; Pakistan approximately 49 days; Nigeria approximately 53 days; and the United States approximately 17 days. These times fluctuate with application volumes and should be checked on IRCC’s website at the time of application.

Document Checklist and Refusal Prevention

A comprehensive application is essential. The following documents are typically required:

• Valid passport (with at least six months’ validity beyond your intended stay)
• Completed visitor visa application (online or paper)
• Two recent photos per IRCC specifications
• Proof of sufficient funds: bank statements covering at least three to six months, showing consistent income or savings; investment account statements
• Proof of ties to home country: employment letter, property title, family responsibilities
• Travel itinerary or booking confirmation
• Invitation letter if visiting family or friends in Canada
• Biometrics fee receipt and appointment confirmation
• Travel history: copies of prior visas to Canada, the U.S., UK, or Schengen area strengthen credibility

The most frequent reason for visitor visa refusal is that the officer is not satisfied the applicant will leave Canada at the end of their stay. This is often a reflection of weak financial ties, limited travel history, or a sparse application. Providing a detailed cover letter explaining your purpose of visit, your itinerary, and your specific reasons for returning home — a job you will return to, children in school, mortgage obligations — substantially improves approval prospects.

How VGIS Helps

Visitor visa refusals are common and often avoidable with proper preparation. Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, reviews your profile before submission and provides strategic advice on how to present your ties to your home country, structure your financial evidence, and draft a persuasive cover letter.

If you have received a prior refusal, VGIS can help you understand the officer’s concerns (via ATIP if needed) and prepare a stronger second application. Book a paid consultation at vgis.ca/book-consultation/.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	$100 per person; $500 for family of 5 or more applying together
Biometrics	$85 individual / $170 family

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• Valid passport (6+ months beyond intended stay)
• Proof of financial means (bank statements, pay stubs)
• Invitation letter (if visiting family/friends)
• Proof of ties to home country (employment, property, family)
• Biometrics
• Photo as per specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?

The standard authorised stay granted at a Canadian port of entry is six months from the date of entry, though the border officer has discretion to grant a shorter or longer period. The date stamped in your passport or on your entry record is the date by which you must leave Canada — it is not automatically the same as your visa’s expiry date.

Can I extend my stay beyond six months?

Yes, you can apply for a visitor record extension from within Canada, provided you apply before your authorised stay expires. The extension application fee is $100 CAD. Processing times for extensions are currently very long (approximately 299 days), so you must apply early and rely on implied status while awaiting the decision.

My visitor visa was refused — can I reapply?

Yes. A refusal does not permanently bar you from Canada. You can reapply at any time with a stronger application. If you do not know the specific reasons for your refusal, submit an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request to IRCC to obtain the officer’s notes. Address each concern directly in your new application. Working with a regulated consultant can significantly improve your chances of approval on resubmission.

Do I need a visitor visa if I only have a layover in Canada?

It depends. Citizens of many visa-required countries who are transiting through a Canadian airport without leaving the international transit zone may be eligible for a Transit Without Visa (TWOV) or the International Transit Program (ITP), provided they meet specific criteria. However, most transit passengers who are citizens of visa-required countries will need a TRV or a Transit Visa. Check IRCC’s current transit requirements before travel.

Can I apply for a visitor visa if I have a criminal record?

A criminal record may render you criminally inadmissible to Canada. Depending on the nature and date of the offence, you may be able to apply for rehabilitation (either deemed rehabilitation after 10 years for less serious offences, or applied-for rehabilitation through IRCC). A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is another option for urgent travel needs. Consult a regulated immigration consultant to determine the best approach for your specific situation.

Official Government Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/apply-visitor-visa.html

📬 Get Immigration Updates

Express Entry draws, IRCC policy changes, and program news — delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe

---

Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.