Visit/Tourist Visa

Tourist or visit visas are official documents that allow you to enter a foreign country for a visit or travel purposes. The timelines and duration of a tourist visa are generally limited and do not give the visa holder access to work or engage in prolonged business activities.

What is a Visitor Visa?

A Visitor visa is an authorized document to enter a foreign country for leisure, traveling, or sightseeing purposes. Each country maintains its own visa policies and rules for tourists and visitors. The tourist visa usually has short-term validity and restricts the visa holder's involvement in work-related activities. Some visitor visas even allow you to travel for short-term business trips. The eligibility criteria, visa requirements, and application procedure may differ based on the country you plan on visiting.

With a Canada visitor visa, you can stay and travel through the country for up to 6 months, with the flexibility of applying for an extension. The visitor visa in Canada can also be known as a Temporary resident visa, which allows single entry and multiple entries.

Why visit Canada?

• Live in the Canadian province for a maximum of 6 months
• Visit your friends and family in Canada
• Attend short official business trips  
• Witness Canada’s Northern Lights and the breath-taking Niagara Falls
• Experience the diverse Canadian cuisine and cultural lifestyle

Types of Visitor Visas

A Canadian visitor visa, also known as a Temporary resident visa, is mainly for individuals from countries that require a visa to enter Canada. Foreign nationals looking to visit their family or friends in Canada or want to explore the Maple Leaf country can apply for a tourist visa.  

Canada's TRV (Temporary Resident visa) is of two types:

• Single Entry visa
• Multiple-entry visa

Single-Entry Visitor Visa from Canada

Canada's single-entry visitor visa allows a single entry or only one-time entry. The visa is valid throughout the visa holder's stay period for a maximum of 6 months. Once the visa holder exits Canada, the single-entry visa becomes invalid. While the single-entry visa may seem less flexible than the multiple-entry visa, it is more economical and ideal for individuals with short trips.

Who needs a Canada single-entry visa?

A single-entry visa is usually taken by foreign nationals who are visiting Canada for short-term or specific reasons, such as:

• Taking part in a specific one-time event
• Official trips or visits
• Getting a medical treatment
• Short study courses that are less than 6 months
• Visiting friends or family for a given short period

Multiple-Entry Visitor Visa from Canada

The Multiple-entry visitor visa from Canada allows the visa holder to exit and enter the country as many times as they wish throughout the validity of the visa.  The visa comes with a validity of 10 years or until the visa holder's passport, biometrics, or travel document expires. The multiple-entry option with this visa makes it flexible for visa holders. With a multiple-entry visitor visa, you would be required to enter Canada before the expiry date mentioned in the visa.

Who needs a Canada multiple-entry visa?

A multiple entry visitor visa from Canada is usually for foreigners who frequently visit the country for reasons including:

• Frequently travel to Canada for business activities
• Have family members who are currently residing in the country
• To avoid the hassle of re-applying for a new visa for every visit  

Visit Visas from Canada to Other Countries

The citizens of Canada can travel to certain countries without a visa, while some countries ask for an e-visa. Canadians can travel to 188 countries and territories without needing a visa, some of which include Europe, which allows Canadians to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days. Around 21 countries require Canadians to travel with an e-visa, while 19 countries require visas.  

Eligibility for the Canadian Visitor Visa

To be eligible for a Canadian visitor visa, you must fulfill the below criteria:

• Have a valid passport
• Be of good health or provide a medical certificate
• Have no criminal history
• Have sufficient finances to fund your stay in the country
• Must intend to exit the country after your purpose of visit is fulfilled
• Proof that you have ties in Canada (financial assets, properties, job, or family members)
• Letter of Invitation from a family or friend in Canada
• Must be admissible to Canada

Application Process for Canadian Visitor Visa

The application process for a visitor visa may vary depending on the mode of applying and the purpose of your visit to Canada. Individuals can apply online through the official IRCC portal, with the option of offline application via paper.

However, you can follow the simple steps given below to apply for a Canadian visitor visa:

Step 1: Check if you are eligible for a Canadian visitor visa

Step 2: Arrange the documents required to apply

Step 3: Fill out the visa application form

Step 4: Complete the fee payment and submit the visitor visa application

Step 5: Wait for the visa to be processed

Documents Required for the Visitor Visa

The complete list of documents required for the visitor visa is as follows:

• The Visit visa application form (IMM 5257)
• Form IMM 5645 or IMM 5707
• Passport with at least 3-6 months of validity
• Travel Insurance
• Financial funds
• Proof of accommodation in Canada
• Travel itinerary details
• Visa fee payment receipt
• A clear purpose for the visit
• Proof of ties to your native country  
• Evidence of any previous travel history
• Letter of consent (for minors)
• Invitation letter from a friend or family in Canada
• Other civil documents, such as the birth certificate of the child or marriage certificate
• Other additional documents (may vary)

Cost and Processing Time of Visitor Visa Canada

The Canada visitor visa costs around $100 for single-entry and multiple-entry visas and a biometric fee of $85 per person.

The Canada visitor visa has an average processing time of 2-4 weeks, which can also be extended up to 3-6 months based on the application intakes and other factors.

Special Categories: Visitor Visa for Parents

Canada provides a special visitor visa category for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or PR holders, known as the Super visa.

To be eligible for a Canada Super visa, the parent or grandparent must have a Canadian host that fulfills the below criteria:

• Must be a legal child or grandchild
• Is a Canadian citizen or PR holder
• At least 18 years of age
• Meets the minimum income requirements
• Has signed a letter of invitation

To apply for the Super visa, one must have the below list of requirements:

• Invitation letter from a child or grandchild residing in Canada, assuring to take care of them during their stay in the country
• Documents to prove that the child or grandchild in Canada fulfills the low-income cut-off (LICO)
• T4 or T1 documents
• Proof of relation with the child or grandchild in Canada
• Medical insurance for a minimum of 12 months

Benefits of Canada Super Visa

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider applying for a Canadian Super Visa:

• Multiple entry options
• "NO" Lottery system, unlike the PGP program
• Stay in Canada for 5 + 2 additional years
• Travel freely with a streamlined application process.
• Travel anytime throughout the year with minimal restrictions.

How Y-Axis Can Help You?

Y-Axis, the leading immigration consultant in Canada, offers end-to-end support for all your travel and immigration needs. Our travel visa services are extensive, with a thorough process that ensures you make an informed decision at every step. We help you with:

• Guided assistance with the documentation process
• Step-by-step guidance with the tourist visa application process
• Complete guidance to apply for a visitor visa