Canada Visit Visa
Plan Your Canada Visit with Clear Application Support
Canada Visit Visa
Plan your Canada visit with clear application support.
A family reunion, a long-awaited holiday or an important business meeting starts with understanding the right travel requirements. Nexus Migration helps you organise your Canada visitor visa application with clear document guidance and support throughout the agreed process.
Explore the requirements, costs and application steps below, then speak with our team about your travel plans and the documents you may need.
What is a Canada visitor visa
A Canada visitor visa, also called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV, is a document placed in your passport that shows you meet the requirements to travel to Canada as a visitor. People often call it a Canada tourist visa or Canada visit visa.
It can support a temporary trip for tourism, visiting family or friends, or qualifying business activities. A visa allows you to travel to a Canadian port of entry and request admission. Border officials decide whether you can enter and how long you may stay. [01]
Do you need a visitor visa or an eTA
Your travel requirement depends on your citizenship, passport or travel document, immigration status and how you will travel. Living in the UAE does not, by itself, make you visa-exempt. Check your own circumstances using the official Canadian visa and eTA tool before starting an application. [02]
| Document | What it is used for |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa or TRV | Temporary travel to Canada for people who require a visa. |
| Electronic travel authorization or eTA | An electronic authorization for eligible travellers flying to or transiting through Canada. Eligibility depends on the traveller and route. |
| Parent and grandparent Super Visa | A separate visitor option for eligible parents and grandparents who want longer visits with qualifying family in Canada. |
| Visitor record | A document that sets or extends an authorized stay in Canada. It is not an entry visa. |
These documents serve different purposes. Check the requirements for the document appropriate to your plans. [02] [03] [21] [30]
An eTA is linked electronically to your passport. It is a different application from a visitor visa, with a government fee of CAD 7. Travellers must meet the eTA rules; they cannot simply choose it instead of a visa because it costs less. [03]
Reasons to visit Canada
Tourism and holidays
Discover Canadian cities, visit attractions, enjoy a seasonal holiday or travel with your family. Your itinerary should explain where you plan to go and how the trip fits your available time and budget.
Visiting family or friends
Spend time with relatives, attend a family celebration or visit friends. Explain the relationship, intended dates, accommodation and who will pay for the trip. Supporting invitations can help describe these arrangements. [10]
Business visits
Attend qualifying meetings, conferences, trade fairs or other permitted international business activities. Business visitors generally keep their main business and source of income outside Canada and do not enter the Canadian labour market. Some activities require a work permit, so check the actual work involved before travelling. A conference invitation does not authorize employment. [12]
Visa validity and the length of your stay
Single entry and multiple entry visas
IRCC decides whether to issue a single entry or multiple entry visa and how long it will be valid. A single entry visa normally permits one entry. A multiple entry visa permits repeated travel during its validity, subject to meeting entry requirements each time.
A visitor visa may be issued for up to 10 years, or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first. An officer may issue a shorter visa. A ten-year multiple entry visa is not an automatic entitlement. [04]
How long you can stay in Canada
Most visitors are allowed to stay for up to six months. A border officer can authorize a shorter or longer visit. Follow the date recorded in your passport or visitor record. [01]
If no different departure date is recorded, IRCC's general rule is six months from entry or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first. Super Visa rules differ. The expiry printed on your visitor visa is the deadline for using it to arrive, not permission to remain in Canada until that date. [05]
Canada visitor visa eligibility
You must satisfy the officer that you are a genuine temporary visitor and:
- Hold a valid passport or accepted travel document.
- Have a credible visit purpose and enough money for the trip.
- Have circumstances supporting your intention to leave when required, such as employment, business, family responsibilities or assets.
- Meet health, security and admissibility requirements, including checks on criminal and immigration history.
- Follow the conditions of your authorized stay.
The officer considers your circumstances as a whole. Individual documents do not replace the other requirements. [06]
Documents you may need
Follow your personalized application checklist and the responsible visa office's instructions. This table is a preparation guide.
| Document category | Examples to prepare where applicable |
|---|---|
| Identity and passport | Passport copies, identity details and photographs if required. |
| Legal residence | Evidence of lawful residence if applying from a country other than your country of citizenship. |
| Visit arrangements | Dates, itinerary, accommodation and evidence of the visit purpose. |
| Available funds | Bank records and evidence showing how you will support yourself and accompanying family members. |
| Family documents | Marriage or relationship records and children's birth certificates where relevant. |
| Children travelling | Consent letters, guardianship or custody documents appropriate to the travel arrangements. |
| Additional evidence | Documents requested by the visa office or through your application account. |
These categories reflect the official checklist; requirements vary by applicant. [08]
Employment evidence may include a recent employer letter explaining your job, start date, salary and employer contact details. IRCC's published guidance recommends a letter dated no earlier than three months before applying. Relevant travel history may include previous passports, visas and entry or exit stamps. [07]
Documents in other languages need an English or French translation that meets IRCC's rules. An affidavit may be required if the translator is not a Canadian certified translator. Applicants and their family members must not translate their own application documents. [09]
Proof of funds for a Canada visit visa
There is no single published minimum bank balance that guarantees an ordinary visitor visa. The amount you need depends on the length of your visit, where you will stay and how your expenses will be covered. A two-week hotel holiday and a short stay with family can involve very different budgets. [06]
Prepare a practical budget covering flights, accommodation, food, local travel, activities and insurance. Your evidence should make clear which costs you will pay and which costs another person will cover. If someone else is supporting the visit, explain the relationship and provide appropriate supporting evidence of their ability to pay.
IRCC's visitor application guidance recommends at least six months of bank account details, including balances, to help establish your financial position. Follow any additional or different requirements in your own checklist. [07]
As a preparation step, check that your bank records, stated income and proposed spending tell a consistent story. Explain unusual deposits honestly with supporting evidence where relevant. There is no benefit in presenting borrowed money as regular income or creating documents that do not reflect your circumstances.
Invitation letters for family visits
A letter from a Canadian host can explain the purpose and arrangements of a family or friend visit. It should identify the visitor and host, describe their relationship and set out the planned dates, accommodation, financial arrangements and expected departure.
The host should include their Canadian contact details, occupation and evidence of their status, following IRCC's instructions. The information must be accurate and match the rest of the application. Super Visa invitations have additional financial support requirements. [10]
An invitation does not guarantee visa approval. The visitor must still satisfy the applicable requirements. [11]
Applying from Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE
UAE residents should begin by checking the requirements associated with their passport and citizenship. UAE citizens and foreign nationals resident in the UAE can have different Canadian entry requirements. A UAE residence visa or Emirates ID does not replace a Canadian visa or eTA when one is required. [37]
For an applicant living in the UAE, the preparation file may include evidence of lawful UAE residence, employment or business activity, available funds and the arrangements for returning after the visit.
Useful supporting evidence will depend on your situation. For example, an employed applicant may prepare salary and approved leave information, while a business owner may prepare business registration and operating records. These are examples of evidence, not a universal extra checklist or a guaranteed route to approval.
How the application process works
Identify the correct travel document
Check whether you need a visitor visa, an eTA or another document. Confirm the purpose of your trip and whether accompanying family members have different requirements. [02]
Prepare application & evidence
Gather the documents requested for your situation. Check that your names, dates, employment information, travel plans and financial details agree across the forms and evidence. Answer all questions fully, including questions about previous immigration refusals.
Submit through IRCC process
Most applicants apply online. Follow IRCC's current instructions to use the correct account or portal, upload the required documents and pay the applicable fees. Keep a copy of the submitted application and payment receipt. [38]
Complete biometrics
If required, follow the biometrics instruction letter and attend an authorized collection location with the required documents. Book promptly and complete the appointment by the deadline in the letter. [15]
Respond to further requests
IRCC may request additional information, a medical examination, a police certificate or an interview. Monitor the application account and respond within the stated deadlines. [13]
Decision & passport instructions
If an online visa application is approved, IRCC sends passport submission instructions through the account. Follow those instructions and wait until the visa has been placed in your passport before travelling. An account message or passport request does not replace the visa document required for travel. [13]
Biometrics and medical examinations
Biometrics
Most visa applicants aged 14 to 79 must provide fingerprints and a photograph unless an exemption applies. Age is assessed when the application is submitted. [14]
Biometrics provided for temporary residence are generally valid for ten years. If you have provided them before, check their validity and whether you need to give them again. Do not assume a previous appointment covers every future application. Use IRCC's biometrics checker and follow the instructions for your new application. [15] [16]
Medical examinations
An immigration medical examination is generally not required for an ordinary visit of six months or less, but additional instructions can apply. Longer visits may require an examination depending on where you have lived or travelled. Super Visa applicants must meet the medical examination requirement.
When an immigration medical examination is required, it must be completed by an approved panel physician. A routine medical certificate from your own doctor does not replace it. [17]
Canada visitor visa government fees
The amounts below are in Canadian dollars and were checked on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current fee before paying. [18]
| Applicant fee | Amount CAD | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa | 100 | Per person; the fee is the same for single or multiple entry. |
| Eligible family visitor visa fee | 500 maximum | A qualifying family of five or more applying at the same time and place; children must qualify as dependants. |
| Biometrics | 85 | Per person when required. |
| Eligible family biometrics fee | 170 maximum | Two or more eligible family members applying at the same time. |
| Visitor extension | 100 | Per person applying to extend their stay in Canada. |
For one applicant who needs new biometrics, the standard visitor visa and biometrics fees total CAD 185. This excludes any applicable document, translation, medical, insurance, passport delivery and consultancy costs. Nexus Migration service charges should be confirmed in the written service agreement.
Government processing fees are not refunded because an application is refused. A new application normally requires a new processing fee. [09]
Canada visitor visa processing time
Processing times vary by the country from which you apply and by the circumstances of the application. Check IRCC's live processing time tool for the relevant visitor visa category. The published estimate is not a maximum or a guaranteed decision date. [19]
Allow time for gathering documents, obtaining biometrics appointments and completing any passport submission or delivery steps. If your trip is linked to a wedding, conference or school holiday, begin preparing early. Consider cancellation and change conditions before making non-refundable travel arrangements.
Travelling with your family or children
Each family member must meet the applicable entry requirements. Family members applying for visitor visas complete their own applications, even when submitting together. One person's visa approval does not automatically approve the entire family. [09]
Children travelling to Canada need their own passports. Depending on who accompanies the child, carry a birth certificate, parental consent and relevant custody, guardianship or adoption documents. A child travelling with one parent should have authorization from the parent who is not travelling, with the relevant contact and identification details.
Requirements differ for separated parents, sole custody arrangements, deceased parents and children travelling alone or with another adult. Check the instructions for your specific arrangement before departure. [20]
Super Visa for parents and grandparents
The Super Visa is an option for eligible parents and grandparents visiting qualifying children or grandchildren in Canada. It can allow stays of up to five years per entry, with a visa valid for multiple entries for up to ten years. It is a temporary visitor route, not permanent residence. [21]
The host must meet the applicable requirements, including being at least 18, living in Canada and being a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act. Applicants generally apply from outside Canada and must meet the visitor, relationship and medical requirements. [22]
Qualifying medical insurance is required. It must provide at least CAD 100,000 in emergency coverage, cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation, and be valid for at least one year from entry. The policy must meet IRCC's payment and insurer requirements; a quotation alone is insufficient. Eligible policies can come from a Canadian insurer or an approved insurer outside Canada. Maintain coverage during the stay and have valid proof for each entry. [23]
Updated Super Visa income assessment
From 31 March 2026, the host and eligible co-signer can demonstrate the required income in either of the two tax years preceding the application. Another option allows the visiting parent's or grandparent's income to help cover the requirement when the host and co-signer meet the specified threshold. [25]
Under the current second option, the host and co-signer must have earned at least 75% of the required amount in the preceding year, and the combined qualifying income must reach the full requirement. Family size affects the required amount. Check the live financial support guidance for the thresholds and evidence relevant to the application. [24]
Before you travel to Canada
Check the details on your visa and passport, and carry accessible copies of your visit arrangements. If relevant, bring your invitation, host contact details and children's travel documents. Be ready to explain your plans and provide supporting information if asked at the border.
A valid visa does not guarantee entry. Border officials confirm that you meet the entry requirements and determine the conditions of your stay. [26]
Medical insurance for your trip
Canada does not pay visitors' hospital or medical costs. Travel medical insurance is strongly recommended for an ordinary visit. Check emergency coverage, exclusions, pre-existing conditions and the full dates of your stay. Super Visa applicants must meet the specific insurance requirements for that route. [27]
Working or studying during a visit
A visitor visa does not give general permission to work in Canada. The temporary policy that allowed certain visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada ended on 28 August 2024. Any work permit application must meet the rules that apply to the individual; arriving as a visitor is not an automatic way to obtain work authorization. [28]
A course of six months or less may be taken without a study permit if it is not part of a longer program and will be completed within your authorized stay. Check the rules for your particular course before enrolling. Longer study generally requires a study permit. [29] [39]
Extending your stay in Canada
If you want to remain longer, you may apply for a visitor record. This extends or sets your status in Canada; it does not renew the travel visa in your passport or guarantee that you can leave and re-enter. [30]
IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before your visitor status expires. The essential deadline is before the end of your authorized stay, which may be different from the expiry date on your visa. [31]
If you submit an eligible extension application before your status expires, you can generally remain in Canada while IRCC makes its decision. This is called maintained status. It does not give you new work rights. If your status has already expired, the available options and deadlines are different. [32]
What to do after a visitor visa refusal
Read the refusal letter carefully and identify the concerns raised about your application. These may involve whether the officer was satisfied you would leave Canada at the end of your stay or whether you meet admissibility requirements. Reapplying with the same information is unlikely to change the outcome simply because a different agent submits it. [33]
IRCC provides officer decision notes with most temporary resident refusal decisions. Review these notes where provided, together with the evidence originally submitted. [34]
Before considering another application, assess whether you can provide relevant new information or evidence that addresses the refusal reasons. There is generally no mandatory waiting period unless your decision letter says otherwise. A new application still requires a fresh assessment and is not guaranteed to succeed. If you believe the process was unfair, seek qualified advice about any available review options and deadlines. [35] [33]
How Nexus Migration can support your application
Preparing for a visit is easier when you understand the sequence of tasks and what your documents need to explain. Nexus Migration offers support with document preparation and application coordination according to the services agreed with you.
Our support can include:
- Organising your document checklist around the purpose of your visit.
- Helping you identify missing or inconsistent information before submission.
- Coordinating the preparation of your application documents.
- Explaining the practical steps for biometrics and passport submission.
- Helping you keep track of requests and the next steps in your case.
Contact our team with your nationality, country of residence, intended travel dates, purpose of visit and any previous refusal history. We will explain the available service scope and charges before you proceed. Visa decisions remain with the Canadian authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Canada tourist visa different from a visitor visa
Does every UAE resident need a Canada visitor visa
Is IELTS required for a Canada visit visa
Do I need an invitation from someone in Canada
Can I get a guaranteed ten year multiple entry visa
Does a ten year visa let me live in Canada for ten years
How much bank balance guarantees approval
Must I provide biometrics for every visit
Is a medical examination required for everyone
Can my spouse work while accompanying me as a visitor
Can I extend my visit after arriving
Do I need to buy medical insurance
Is the Super Visa the same as parent sponsorship
Can Nexus Migration guarantee approval or faster processing
Start planning your Canada visit
Tell us why you want to visit Canada, who will travel with you and when you hope to go. Nexus Migration can explain the document preparation and application support available for your circumstances.
Information reviewed on 22 October 2026. Requirements and fees can change. This page provides general information; the rules applicable to your circumstances and the Canadian authorities' decisions govern your application.
