Visitor Visa: Explore the Natural Beauty of Canada
Canada is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, making it a desirable destination for travelers from around the globe. If you plan to visit Canada, a visitor visa is required. This applies even if you are merely transiting through a Canadian airport en route to your final destination.
A visitor visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is an immigration document that permits foreign nationals to enter Canada. If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you will need a visitor visa regardless of whether you are coming as a student, temporary worker, or for leisure purposes.
Most visitors are allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months. A border services officer will stamp your passport with a departure date. If no stamp is provided, you may remain in Canada for six months from your date of entry or until your passport expires, whichever occurs first.
Eligibility Criteria for a Visitor Visa
To be eligible for a visitor visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a valid travel document, such as a passport.
- Be in good health.
- Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions.
- Demonstrate ties to their home country, such as employment, property, financial assets, or family connections that would compel their return.
- Provide financial proof of their ability to support themselves during their stay in Canada.
Note: A medical examination and an invitation letter from a Canadian resident may be required in certain cases.
Types of Visitor Visas
Single Entry Visa
As the name suggests, a single entry visa permits applicants to enter Canada only once, in accordance with the visa’s validity period.
- Applications for this visa can be submitted up to six months before your intended travel date.
- This visa is suitable for travelers attending business meetings or special events in Canada.
- If you wish to re-enter Canada, you must apply for a new visitor visa, even if your current visa is still valid.
Multiple Entry Visa
A multiple entry visa allows the holder to enter and exit Canada as often as desired before the visa expires.
- Typically valid for up to ten years from the date of issuance or until one month before the expiration of your travel document (passport).
- You can remain in Canada for a maximum continuous stay of six months.
- It is essential to arrive in Canada on or before the expiration date of your visa.