Planning a trip to Canada this summer means you may need to apply for a visitor visa. Residents from many countries require a visitor visa to travel to Canada.
Canada is full of exciting cities and various distinct natural sights to see. Spending your summer visiting Canada is a great choice, but if you’re from a visa-required country, you’ll need to learn all about the visitor visa application process to ensure you can follow through with your travel plans.
Types of Visitor Visas
The visitor visa, also known as the temporary resident visa, is issued as a single-entry or multiple-entry travel permit. With the single-entry visitor visa, you can enter Canada once and then must leave upon the expiration of your visa. With a multiple-entry visitor visa, you can travel in and out of Canada without restrictions while your visa is still valid.
Temporary resident visas are granted for different lengths of time based on various factors. In this case, as a tourist, you can expect your visitor visa to be granted for six months.
Application Requirements
To be the primary applicant for a visitor visa, you’ll need to meet specific requirements. These requirements include:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid passport or other travel documents
- Be in good health
- Have enough money to support and pay for your stay in Canada
- Not be deemed inadmissible for criminality or medical reasons
You may also need to provide evidence of a medical examination or get a letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada to prove the purpose of your visit.
With your application, you must convince the reviewing immigration officer that you will exit Canada when your visa expires. An important factor in doing this is demonstrating your ties to your home country. These ties include family and home life, jobs and financial assets.