How to apply for a Canadian Tourist / Visitor Visa
A Canadian tourist visa is frequently used to refer to a visitor visa. To determine whether you need a visitor visa in order to enter Canada, read the information we have provided below.
Even if you already possess a visitor visa or an eTA that is in good standing, only a select few people are now qualified to travel from overseas. Find out if you are qualified to visit Canada!
Canada Visitor Visa
You can apply online for a visitor stay extension with a justification for your need to stay in Canada if your visitor visa is still valid.
The IRCC is currently enabling Canadian residents to apply for work permits if you are a visitor.
You might be able to change your status even if your tourist visa has already expired!
Each year, Canada welcomes millions of tourists. In actuality, more than 35 million people go to Canada each year to take advantage of the various opportunities it provides, including visiting family and friends.
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Unless you are a citizen of a nation that does not require visas, a TRV may be required if you just want to visit Canada temporarily.
Is a Tourist Visa Required for a Visit to Canada?
Understanding whether you require a visitor visa before entering Canada is essential before beginning the application process. Before your trip, check here to see if you require a tourist visa for Canada.
The Canadian TRV (Visitor Visa): What Is It?
A Canada visitor visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Canada tourist visa, is a legal document that must be carried in your passport to prove that you have fulfilled the requirements for temporary resident admission to Canada (either as a visitor, a student, or a worker).
Types of Visitor Visas for Canada
- Visit/Tourism
- Study
- Work
- Temporary Resident
- Business
How long am I permitted to remain in Canada on a tourist visa?
Most travelers to Canada are permitted to stay for up to six months. The immigration border services at the port of entry may permit you to stay for less than or more than six months.
They will record the departure date in your passport once they have given you a stay duration. The immigration official may also offer you a visitor record, which will include the departure deadline.
Criteria for Tourist Visas in Canada
There are a few prerequisites you must satisfy in order to be eligible for a TRV, including:
- possess a valid travel permit (like a passport)
- be in excellent health and have no convictions for crimes or immigration-related offenses
- persuade an immigration official that you have ties to your native country, such as a job, residence, financial resources, or family.
- Convince the immigration officer that you will leave Canada after your visit is over and that you have the funds to cover your expenses.
How to Apply in Canada for a Tourist Visa
The application process for a visitor visa to Canada consists of three main parts. These actions comprise:
Step 1: Determine your eligibility to enter Canada
Step 2: Gather all of your supporting documentation
Step 3: Apply online
Documents Needed For A Tourist Visa For Canada
When requesting a TRV, you must present five important documents. You should be aware that each immigration case varies slightly based on your unique circumstances, but generally speaking, the following documentation is required when applying for a “Temporary Resident Visa” in Canada.
Visitor Visa Checklist for Canada
- Proof of your connection to your country of origin
- Identification, such as a passport or county resident card,
- as proof of funds for your trip to Canada.
- Identification, such as a passport or county resident card,
- Evidence showing you only intend to visit Canada during this time
Disclaimer: You might also require other files and information. A TRV is necessary for travelers before they leave their native country. A TRV cannot be acquired by visitors once they land in Canada.
Processing Time for Visitor Visas
The country from which the application is made can affect how quickly a visitor visa is processed. A Canada visitor visa can often take anything from a few days to a few weeks to process. The processing time is merely 12 days if the application is made from within Canada.
Tourist vs. visitor visa
Many individuals will be curious as to what the distinction is between a visitor visa and a tourist visa to Canada.
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Nothing, is the answer. Simply said, they are the same thing said in two distinct ways.
For individuals traveling to Canada to explore, people will talk about tourist visas. When someone wants to visit friends or relatives, a visitor visa is frequently mentioned.
Top 3 Commonly Asked Questions About Tourist Visas for Canada
- What happens if you depart Canada and come back before your visitor visa expires?
Numerous “features” are present on visitor visas. Some of them are single entry visas, which are only valid for one entry into Canada. Unless you are going to the US or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you will need to apply for a new visa if you want to leave Canada and come back.
Nevertheless, some visas are multiple entry visas that let holders to leave and reenter Canada while their visas are still in effect.
- Can my visitor status be extended?
Obtaining visitor status is necessary if you are in Canada on a visitor visa and want to request an extension of your stay. At a Canadian immigration office, you can apply for visitor status from within the country.
However, you need to submit your application before your present visiting status expires. Generally speaking, if you enter Canada as a “visitor,” you will be granted visitor status for a duration of six months.
Until a decision is reached on your extension application, you have implied status if your visitor status expires but you have previously asked for an extension and are awaiting your renewal.
If your request for an extension is denied, you may submit an application for restoration of status as long as you do so within 90 days after the rejection date.
- Who can enter Canada without a visitor visa?
You do not require a visitor visa if you are a citizen of one of the following British Dependent Territories: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena, or Turks and Caicos Islands. You also do not need a visitor visa if you are a citizen of any other country that is a British Dependent Territory.
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You do not require a guest visa to enter Canada if you have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and are in possession of your alien registration card (USA Green Card) or another form of proof of permanent residence.
More so, you do not require a TRV to enter Canada if you are a Turkish national traveling on a diplomatic passport, or if you are in possession of a passport or other travel documents issued by the Holy See.
How to Extend a Visitor Visa for Canada
You can apply for an extension if you are already in Canada and wish to remain there past the expiration date of your visa. You must complete an IMM 5708 Form in order to request an extension.
You will get a visitor record if your request to extend your stay in Canada is granted.
A visitor record:
is a document with an expiration date that specifies how long you may remain in Canada.
By that day, you must depart from Canada.
Entry to Canada is not assured by a visitor record. You must a valid entrance document to enter Canada if you intend to go outside of either Canada or the United States.
What is Required to Extend a Visitor Visa to Canada?
- You must currently reside in Canada.
- You must possess a valid passport that will remain valid throughout your whole stay. You must also pay the applicable charge for Form IMM 5708.
- You must make sure that any other licenses you hold (for study or employment) remain in effect and do not conflict with your visiting permission.
Restoring Visitor Visas for Canada
You are not permitted to renew your guest visa after your existing one expires. You must apply to have your status restored if you want to stay in Canada; else, you must depart. Within 90 days of the expiration of your visitor visa, you must submit an application for restoration of status.
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Requirements for Status Restoration
- Reimburse restoration fees
- Give information on:
- the reasons you desire to remain in Canada longer
- evidence of current residence in Canada
- Financial evidence that you can support yourself in Canada is required.
- a schedule of your departure from Canada, including dates and times.
- Show that you only temporarily reside in Canada.
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