Visiting Canada
Temporary Resident Visa

Visitor Visa Canada

Visit Canada for tourism, visiting family, or business meetings. The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) allows stays of up to 6 months, with multiple entries valid for up to 10 years.

Stay Duration

Up to 6 Months

Validity

Up to 10 Years

Entry Type

Multiple Entry

Total Fee

$185 CAD

Program Overview

What is a Visitor Visa?

A visitor visa (also called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV) allows foreign nationals to enter Canada for tourism, family visits, or business purposes. Citizens of visa-required countries need this visa before traveling to Canada.

The visa can be single entry or multiple entry. Most visitor visas issued today are multiple entry, valid until your passport expires (up to 10 years). Each visit can last up to 6 months unless the border officer specifies a different date.

The key to approval is demonstrating strong ties to your home country and genuine intent to leave Canada at the end of your visit. Financial stability, employment, property ownership, and family ties all help prove this.

What You Can Do

Multiple entries for up to 10 years
Stay up to 6 months per visit
Can attend business meetings
Visit family and friends
Tourism and sightseeing
Attend conferences or events

Free Assessment

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RCIC License: R515110

Eligibility

Basic Requirements

  • Valid passport from visa-required country
  • Good health (no medical inadmissibility)
  • No criminal inadmissibility
  • Strong ties to home country
  • Sufficient funds for your stay
  • Intent to leave Canada at end of visit
Documentation

Required Documents

Identity Documents

  • Valid passport (6+ months validity recommended)
  • Two passport-size photos
  • Previous passports (if available)
  • National ID card copy

Ties to Home Country

  • Employment letter with leave approval
  • Business ownership documents
  • Property ownership (deed, tax receipts)
  • Family ties (marriage certificate, children birth certificates)
  • School enrollment (if student)

Financial Documents

  • Bank statements (6 months)
  • Fixed deposits or investments
  • Income tax returns
  • Pay slips (recent 3 months)
  • Sponsorship letter if someone else is paying

Travel Documents

  • Travel itinerary or flight booking
  • Hotel reservations
  • Invitation letter (if visiting someone)
  • Previous travel history (stamps, visas)
Avoid These

Common Refusal Reasons

Weak ties to home country
Insufficient funds
Incomplete application
Previous visa refusals
Purpose of visit not clear
No travel history
Unclear employment status
Inconsistent information

How to Avoid Refusal

Work with an immigration consultant to prepare a strong application. We review your documents, identify weaknesses, and help you present your case in the best light. A well prepared application dramatically improves your chances of approval.

For the national IRCC approval rate and visitor visa issuance by country, see the Canada visitor visa approval rate by country.

Application Process

How to Apply

1

Check Requirements

Verify if you need a visitor visa. Citizens of some countries only need an eTA instead.

2

Gather Documents

Collect identity documents, proof of funds, employment proof, and ties to your home country.

3

Complete Application

Fill out the IMM 5257 form and supporting schedules. Create an IRCC online account.

4

Pay Fees and Submit

Pay the application fee ($100) and biometrics fee ($85) online. Upload all documents.

5

Provide Biometrics

Visit a Visa Application Centre within 30 days to give fingerprints and photo.

6

Wait for Decision

Processing times vary. You may be asked for additional documents or an interview.

7

Receive Visa

If approved, submit your passport for visa stamping. Plan your trip to Canada.

Processing

Visiting Visa Processing Time by Country

Visitor visa processing time in Canada varies by country of origin. Below are current estimates for common applicant nationalities. For a full breakdown across all visa types, see our Canada immigration processing times page. For when IRCC starts the clock and which steps add time, read Canada visitor visa processing time explained.

Country
Processing Time
India
45-60 days
China
30-45 days
Philippines
30-40 days
Nigeria
45-60 days
Pakistan
60-90 days
Iran
60-90 days
Brazil
20-30 days
Mexico
15-25 days

Processing times are estimates and may vary. Check IRCC website for current times.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Canada issuing visitor visas now?
Yes. IRCC actively processes Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications in 2026. Approval depends on your ties to your home country, sufficient funds, and a credible reason to visit. Refusal rates climbed in 2025 after stricter integrity reviews. The fee is $100 plus $85 for biometrics, and most approvals issue a 10-year multi-entry visa valid until passport expiry. Processing times vary by country, ranging from 14 days to several months. Go Far Global helps applicants strengthen their file before submission. We are RCIC-licensed and offer a $100 paid consultation to review your eligibility.
How long can I stay in Canada if I have a visitor visa?
Each entry on a Canadian visitor visa permits a stay of up to 6 months by default. The exact authorized period gets stamped or noted by the border officer at your point of entry. Some travellers receive shorter stays based on their stated purpose. You can apply to extend your status from inside Canada by filing a visitor record at least 30 days before your status expires. The 10-year multi-entry validity refers only to how long you can use the visa, not how long you may remain on each visit. Go Far Global RCICs review your case at $100.
What are the requirements for a visitor visa in Canada?
You must hold a valid passport, prove you have enough funds for your stay, demonstrate strong ties to your home country, show you will leave Canada at the end of your visit, and pass medical and security checks if required. Your application includes Form IMM 5257, biometrics, photos, financial statements, an invitation letter where applicable, and travel history. Officers assess intent to return based on employment, family, property, and prior travel. The fee is $100 plus $85 biometrics. Go Far Global prepares your file for $100 paid consultation with our licensed RCIC.
Why is Canada rejecting visitor visas?
Officers commonly refuse visitor visas for weak ties to the home country, insufficient funds, unclear travel purpose, doubts about intent to return, missing or inconsistent documentation, and concerns about the inviter's status in Canada. Refusal letters cite specific grounds under section 179 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Refusal rates increased after IRCC tightened scrutiny in 2025, particularly for first-time applicants from high-volume countries. A poorly drafted purpose statement or unverifiable financial documents often triggers refusal. Go Far Global runs a $100 file review with an RCIC to identify weaknesses before you reapply.
Is Canada giving a 10 year visitor visa?
Yes. IRCC issues 10-year multi-entry visitor visas as the standard outcome for approved TRV applications, valid until your passport expires. The 10-year validity covers how long you may use the visa for entry. Each individual visit is capped at 6 months unless extended from inside Canada. Officers may issue shorter validity if your passport expires sooner or if your case profile warrants restricted access. The visa fee remains $100 plus $85 biometrics regardless of validity length. Go Far Global RCICs prepare strong applications during a $100 paid consultation.
Does Canada give a 5 year visitor visa?
IRCC may issue a 5-year multi-entry visitor visa when your passport expires within that window or when officers exercise discretion to issue shorter validity. The default is a 10-year multi-entry visa, but the actual length cannot exceed your passport expiry date minus one month. Some applicants receive single-entry visas instead, restricting them to one trip. Validity does not change the per-visit limit of 6 months. Renew your passport before applying if you want maximum visa length. Go Far Global helps optimize your application during a $100 paid consultation with our RCIC.
How much bank balance is required for a Canada visitor visa?
IRCC does not publish a fixed minimum balance. Officers expect you to show roughly $2,000 CAD per week of stay for a single visitor, plus return airfare. A 30-day visit typically requires $5,000 to $8,000 CAD in accessible funds. Submit 4 to 6 months of bank statements showing stable balances, regular income deposits, and no unexplained large transfers. If a Canadian relative covers your costs, attach an invitation letter and the inviter's bank statements, employment letter, and notarized declaration. Go Far Global RCICs assess your financial profile during a $100 paid consultation.
Can I leave Canada and come back as a visitor?
Yes, if you hold a valid multi-entry visitor visa or eTA, you may leave Canada and return as long as your status remains valid. Each re-entry restarts the 6-month authorized stay at the border officer's discretion. Frequent or back-to-back trips can trigger questions about whether you are using visitor status to live in Canada, which officers refuse to permit. Maintain ties to your home country and limit how much time you spend inside Canada compared to outside. Go Far Global runs $100 paid consultations with our licensed RCIC for status review.

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.