Do you want to visit Canada? Travel to beautiful places, visit tourist sites, family members and friends? A visitor visa allows foreign nationals like yourself to enter Canada as a visitor.
Whether you are an international student looking to study, a temporary worker looking to work, or visiting for tourism, you are required to apply for a visitor visa for your temporary stay in Canada.
What are the Different Types of Visitor Visas?
There are two different types of visitor visas, described below.
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) authorizes you to enter Canada as a temporary resident. If you are from a visa-exempt country, then you don’t need to apply for a TRV.
The TRV is also referred to as a “Visitor Visa”.
A single entry visa allows you to travel to Canada once during the validity period.
A multiple-entry visa can be issued for a maximum period of 10 years or 1 month before the expiry date on your passport, whichever is earlier.
The multiple-entry visa allows you to re-enter Canada as many times as you want during the validity period.
The maximum period of stay allowed for a visitor is 6 months from the date of arrival.
Who is Eligible for a Visitor Visa?
You are eligible as a visitor in Canada if you fulfill the following conditions:
- Have a valid travel document
- Demonstrate sufficient ties to your home country or country of residence
- Have enough funds to support your stay
- Be in good health
- Not be inadmissible for reasons such as criminal activity, human rights violations or other security reasons
The length of stay allowed is restricted to various conditions. Citizens of certain countries might need to provide biometric information in order to confirm identity and review past crimes or previous challenges with Canadian immigration.
What are the Different Options Available for Visitor Visas?
The different options available for visitor visas are as follows:
Study Permit: A study permit authorizes you to get enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada as an international student.
Super Visa: The Super Visa is specially designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who wish to visit family for an extended period. A Super Visa allows them to stay in Canada for up to 2 years without the need for any extensions.
Business Visitor: A Business Visitor can visit Canada to engage in business activities that do not directly contribute to the Canadian labor market. A Business Visitor Visa allows you to expand your business network and attend business conferences or events.
Temporary Residence for World Athletes and Related Occupations: Canadian temporary visa requirements for world athletes, coaches, referees and related occupations depend on the purpose of their visit.
Visitor Record Extension: Extending your visitor visa authorizes you to extend your stay in Canada beyond the authorized period. A visitor record will provide you a new expiry date for your departure. Extensions should be applied for 30 days before the expiry of your current authorized stay.
Visa Extension: Visa extensions may be required for study permit and work permit holders who have an expired or expiring visa. A study permit or work permit will allow the holder to remain in Canada until the date indicated on their document. However, a new visa will facilitate travel in and out of Canada.
Temporary Travel Document: Canada issues a temporary travel document to permanent residents who have lost their PR card or do not have a valid PR card and want to return to Canada. They must verify their identity and fulfill residency obligations to be eligible. A permanent resident travel document (PRTD) is valid for a single entry and allows you to enter Canada by a commercial vehicle.
