About

A visitor visa (officially called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV) is a document that most foreign nationals need to enter Canada for a short stay. It is placed in your passport and shows that you meet the requirements to enter Canada as a visitor.

With a visitor visa, you can:

• Visit family and friends,
  
  
• Travel for tourism,
  
  
• Attend business meetings or conferences, or
  
  
• Transit through Canada.
  
  

It does not allow you to work or study long-term.

Who can apply

You may need a visitor visa if you are from a country that is not visa-exempt. To qualify, you must:

• Have a valid passport.
  
  
• Be in good health (a medical exam may be required in some cases).
  
  
• Have no serious criminal record (a police certificate may be requested).
  
  
• Convince the officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit.
  
  
• Show proof of enough money to cover your stay (amount depends on your trip and whether you are staying with family/friends or at a hotel).
  
  

Benefits

• Allows you to visit Canada legally for tourism, family visits, or short business activities.
  
  
• Usually allows a stay of up to 6 months per entry.
  
  
• Some visas are issued as multiple-entry visas, valid for up to 10 years (or until your passport expires), letting you travel in and out of Canada freely.
  
  
• Can be a first step for people who want to explore Canada before deciding to study, work, or immigrate later.

Frequently Asked Questions