Canada Tourist Visa: Everything you need to know

Canada Tourist Visa also referred to as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is an immigration document that allows you to travel and enter Canada. Unless you are from a visa-exempt country, you would need a Tourist visa to enter Canada – whether you are coming as a student, temporary worker, or Tourist. 

There are two types of Canada Tourist Visas: Single-Entry and Multiple-Entry.

A Single-Entry Canada Tourist Visa will allow you to enter Canada for one time only. Whereas, a Multiple-Entry Canada Tourist Visa will allow you to enter and leave Canada as many times as you want. When applying, you don’t need to choose the visa type, as you will be automatically issued a Multiple-Entry Visa. Single-Entry visas are only issued under special circumstances. 

A Multiple-Entry visa will allow you to travel to Canada for six months at a time as many times as you want, as long as the visa remains valid. These are generally issued with a validity of 10 years - but the exact duration is at the discretion of the visa officer.

Who is eligible for a Canada Tourist Visa?

If you are not a Canadian permanent resident or citizen and are not from a visa-exempt country, you will need to apply for a Canada Tourist Visa. To be eligible, you must:

• Have a valid passport

• Be in good health 

• Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions 

• Have enough money to stay in Canada

• Convince the visa officer that you have ties to your home country

• Convince the visa officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit

Some people are not allowed to enter Canada. You can be inadmissible for several reasons including criminal activity, organized crime, human rights violations, health or financial reasons. 

How to apply for a Canada Tourist Visa?

The process to apply for a Canada Tourist Visa can be carried out in 3 easy steps. 

STEP 1: Check your eligibility: Make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria for a Tourist Visa mentioned above. 

STEP 2: Gather your documents: Depending on the nature of your case, you will need to gather the following documents:

• Original Passports with 6 months validity from the date of arrival in Canada + Old passports if any.

• Visa Application Forms

• 3 Color photographs: 35mm x 45mm, White background, matt finish, 80% face size

• Covering letter mentioning the details of the applicant, travel, and details of the other members travelling with you

• Hotel Bookings

• Day to Day tour Itinerary

• Air tickets

• Original Leave letter from Employer/School/College

• Salary slips for the last 6 months if employed

• If Self-Employed - Shop Act / MOA /Deed

• Original personal bank statements for the last 6 months updated with healthy and sufficient balance

• Income Tax returns / Form 16 for the last 3 years

• If Student - School/College ID card copy

• If Retired - Retirement proof/pension passbook or slips

• Other financial documents like FD, NSC, PPF, Shares, Property papers, etc.

STEP 3: Apply for a Visitor Visa: Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) official website, sign in, and apply for a Visitor Visa through the IRCC portal. 

STEP 4: Pay the processing fee: Like every other visa required for Canada Immigration, you will now be required to pay the following processing fees: 

• Visitor visa (including super visa) - CA$ 100 per person

• Visitor visa - per family (1 fee per family of 5 or more people) - CA$ 500

• Extend your stay as a visitor - CA$ 100 per person

• Restore your status as a visitor - CA$ 229

STEP 5: Wait for approval: If approved, you’ll receive two letters in your IRCC account, a letter with the instructions to submit your passport and the decision letter. 

On average, the processing time for a Canada Tourist Visa is a maximum of 15 days. The processing time may vary according to the location of the application centre, individual cases, and documents submitted.

Prepare for your arrival in Canada

Once you enter Canada at one of the four major airports, your fingerprints will be checked at the inspection kiosk to confirm your identity. Make sure to carry all your supporting documents. If you pass the identity check, health assessment, and other entry prerequisites, the border officer will stamp your passport. 

You won’t be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information.

The process to apply for a Canada Tourist Visa is easy but can get a bit challenging for first-timers. Seek guidance from Best immigration and visa consultants in Delhi  if you’re having trouble. 

Good Luck!