How To Apply For A Visitor Visa To Canada And The Requirements

Most visitors to Canada or those transiting through a Canadian airport on their way to their final destination require a visitor visa. On this page, you will learn more about the Canadian Visitor Visa, its document requirements, and how to apply for a Visitor Visa to Canada.

A visitor visa to Canada is an official document that must be attached to a visitor passport. The official document certifies that you meet the requirements for visiting Canada.

Most Canada Visitor Visas allow visitors to stay in Canada for up to six months. The duration of stay is mostly determined by border service officers at the point of entry into Canada. At the point of entry, the border services officer will put the date you need to leave Canada in your passport or give you a document, called a visitor record, which will show the date you need to leave by.

How to Apply for a Visitor Visa to Canada

A Canadian visitor visa can be obtained either online or on paper. But, before you apply, make sure you need a Canadian visitor visa. You may need a visitor visa or an e-Travel authorization to visit Canada.

However, the entry document required is determined by:

• The country that issued your travel document and the type of travel document you intend to use.
• Your country of origin
• What is your plan for getting to Canada?

The Procedure for Obtaining a Visitor Visa to Canada:

Check the requirements for visitor visa documents

The next step is to double-check the requirements for supporting documents. If you match the conditions for a visitor visa, the supporting document requirements will show you. This, however, depends on your reason for visiting Canada.

Any of the following could be the reason for your visit to Canada:

• Tourist
• Business
• A visit to see family or relatives
• Compassionate reasons

So, based on your rationale, look through the list of documents. Do the following to see the supporting documents needed for a guest visa:

What brings you to Canada? Click the downward arrow to make your selection.
Do you meet the requirements for a fully vaccinated traveler exemption? Select “Yes” or “No” as your answer.

Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa online.

To complete your online visitor visa application, you must follow three fundamental steps:

• Sign up for a user account.
• Please upload your files.
• You must pay your fees.

Submit your fingerprints and photographs

You must provide your biometrics while applying for a visitor visa. Your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) can be submitted at a local visa facility. If your local visa application center is closed due to COVID-19, there are temporary biometric measures in place. Find out what you should do next with your biometrics.

Processing of your Canada Visitor Visa

How does Canada’s immigration system handle your application?

They examine your application to ensure that you have all of the required documents. They’ll return your application without processing it if it’s incomplete. If your application is approved, you will be asked to deliver your passport to them.

Once your application is approved, send your passport. You will receive a message from the immigration office with instructions on how to get your visa; simply follow the directions in the message.

Make sure you’re ready for your vacation to Canada. On arrival in Canada, you may be required to bring documents submitted with your visa application or produce extra documents to the border services officer.

Before coming to Canada, see the list of documents you may require.

important links to visit

Find out if you’re eligible to enter Canada

Find out here what next to do for your biometrics.

Check the list of documents you may need before traveling to Canada