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Visit Canada
Find out what document you need to travel, visit family and friends, do business, or transit through Canada, and how to extend your stay.
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- Find out if you need a visa or eTA
- Sign in to your IRCC account
- Check your application status
- Check processing times
- Get answers to your questions in the Help Centre
Services and information
Apply for a visitor visa.
What a visitor visa is, who is eligible and how to apply
Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
What an eTA is, eligibility and how to apply online
Stay in Canada longer
How to extend your stay in Canada
Visitor visas for workers and students
How to get a new visa from inside Canada
Visit your children or grandchildren
Who is eligible and how to apply for a super visa that lets you stay with family in Canada for 5 years at a time
Visit Canada on business
Find out about the travel documents you need and what to bring to Canada as a business visitor
Transit through Canada
What it means to transit through Canada and which documents you need
Get border information for visitors
Travel tips, what happens at the border, and prohibited or restricted goods
Explore immigration programs
Answer a few questions to see different ways you might be able to come to Canada
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- Canada Border Services Agency
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Tourist visa
New entry requirement now in effect
Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada by air. Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens , and Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA.
View all answers for this topic (print version)
- Do I need a visa to visit Canada?
- What is the difference between a single and a multiple entry visa?
- Why was I issued a single entry visa instead of a multiple entry visa?
- I have an eTA or a visa. What can I expect when I arrive in Canada?
- I am in Canada on a temporary resident visa. I plan to take a cruise. Do I need a new visa to come back to Canada?
- Do I need a visa if I’m just travelling through Canada on my way to another country?
- How do I get a transit visa?
- How do I help a family member or friend apply to visit Canada?
- How do I get help if my visa application is refused?
- Who can I hire to help me with my application for a temporary resident visa?
- If I get sick or have an accident while visiting Canada, will the Government of Canada pay for my medical treatment?
- Can I fill out one visa application for my whole family if we are travelling together?
- Is there a different application form for CAN+?
- How do I know that my application can be processed under CAN+? What supporting documents should I submit?
See also: Leaving/Returning to Canada
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Traveller entry requirements
How to prepare for crossing the border into Canada
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Travel and identification documents for entering canada.
Acceptable documents, establishing your personal identity, your citizenship and other important information
Visit Canada
Visas, Electronic Travel Authorizations and other documentation you may need to enter or transit through Canada.
Information on what you can bring back to Canada, what to declare, duties and taxes, and personal exemptions
Airport arrival kiosks and eGates
Verify your identity and make a customs declaration at Canada’s major international airports
Directory of CBSA border offices and services across Canada
List of designated CBSA offices and service locations across Canada
Examining digital devices at the Canadian border
Your cell phones, tablets, laptops and any other digital device you are carrying can be examined when you when cross the border
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Options, exceptions, consequences for failing to report and more.
Reporting requirements for non-commercial aircraft
Landing private, company-owned or charter aircraft in Canada
Advance Declaration: Save time at the border
Use Advance Declaration in ArriveCAN to submit your customs and immigration declaration before flying into Canada
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Visitor Visa checklist: Everything you need to apply and visit Canada
A visitor visa is needed to come to Canada as a tourist, or on a quick trip to visit family, or do business for individuals of many countries.
Anyone who is not a permanent or temporary resident of Canada (those with a work or study permit) will need a visitor visa to enter the country. However, citizens of certain countries do not need a visitor visa and can instead pursue an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). eTAs are a more streamlined form or travel authorisation available to nationals of countries that have visa-free travel agreements with Canada. For answers to common questions on eTAs, click here .
Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration
What is needed to get a Canadian visitor visa?
1. Complete the needed forms
Depending on whether you are applying inside or outside of Canada, you will need to fill in different forms. Those applying outside of Canada will require:
- Application for temporary resident visa (IMM 5257);
- Family information form (IMM 5707);
- Statutory declaration of common-law union (IMM 5409);
- Use of representative (IMM 5476)—Note this is only required if you have used the services of a representative, or if you are appointing or cancelling use of a representative; and
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475)—Note this form is only required if you authorise Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to release information from your case file to someone other than yourself (i.e.: a representative or authorised relative).
2. Collect the needed documentation
In addition to the above forms, applicants for a visitor visa will need to following documentation in support of their request:
- Receipt of fee payment;
- A photocopy of the information page of your passport, including: the passport number, issuance and expiry dates, and your photo, name, issue date, and place of birth;
- Two photos meeting the requirements of the visa application photograph specifications . On the back of these two photos applicants must write their name and date of birth. If applicants are required to provide biometric fingerprints and photo they do not have to attach these photos;
- Proof of financial support, proving that you can support yourself and any family member accompanying you while you are in Canada;
- Photocopy of your marriage license or certificate (if relevant);
- Letter explaining the purpose of your travel;
- Photocopy of your current immigration status (if your country of residence differs from the country of citizenship listed on your passport, you must provide proof of legal status in your country of residence);
- Minors travelling alone or with one parent must provide custody documents or a letter of authorisation from the other non-accompanying parent of a letter of authorisation signed by both parent or legal guardians; and
- Any other additional documents required by the responsible visa office in your region.
Note that application forms completed online must be completed and validated with the generation of a barcode. If completed on a computer, these barcodes will be automatically attached to the immigration forms, otherwise they must be printed and placed at the top of an application if applying by paper.
How to pay required fees and prove fee payment to IRCC
There are two kinds of fees that applicants for a visitor visa may need to pay. These are application processing fees, and biometric fees. Those who do not need to provide biometrics may be exempt from the second set of fees—find out if you need to give biometrics here .
Application processing fees for visitor visas are $100 CAD per person, and $500 CAD for a family (five or more people).
Biometrics fees on the other hand are $85 CAD per person, and $170 per family (two or more people).
These fees may be subject to change and cannot be refunded regardless of the decision reached on your application. In addition, the only accepted method to pay these fees is online.
After following the given instructions and completing the process, you must wait until an official IRCC receipt is issued with a barcode. Applicants are advised to save this file and attach a copy of it to their application.
How to provide proof of financial support
There are several documents that you can use to prove that you can support yourself and any dependents that accompany you while you are visiting Canada.
Some examples include cash, certified cheque, bank draft, or money order in a large enough amount to cover all reasonable expenses incurred during your stay in Canada.
In addition, written or verbal statements (which can be verified) can also be used, provided that they satisfy an officer that sufficient financial support from friends and/or family has been arranged and can cover reasonable incurable expenses during your stay.
Other documents include bank statements, a letter of employment or previous tax filing information,
How to write a “purpose of travel” letter
All foreign nationals entering Canada must be able to satisfy an officer at their time of entry that they have legitimate reasons to enter and reside in Canada. In the context of a visitor visa, this can often also include proving that you (the foreign national) will leave Canada once the period of your authorised stay expires.
In some cases, visitor visa applicants may also need a letter of invitation from a Canadian citizen or permanent resident .
Applying with family members
Visitor visa applicants wishing to bring their family with them on their trip to Canada must complete an application form for each family member. All applications may be submitted together online or at the VAC where you will send your application on paper. A single receipt may also be given for all included applications.
Lastly all family members and dependents must meet all requirements for temporary residence in Canada.
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COMMENTS
If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada, you must apply online for one. Only online applications will be accepted and processed. However, you can apply on paper if:
Apply for your visitor visa, study permit or work permit. If you want to visit, study or work in Canada, make sure you’re eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application. Some biometrics collection sites are closed.
A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document that we stick in your passport. It shows that you meet the requirements needed to enter Canada.
What a visitor visa is, who is eligible and how to apply. Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) What an eTA is, eligibility and how to apply online. Stay in Canada longer. How to extend your stay in Canada. Visitor visas for workers and students. How to get a new visa from inside Canada. Visit your children or grandchildren.
Most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada - not both. Some people may only need their valid passport. Answer a few questions to see what's right for you.
Do I need a visa to visit Canada? What is the difference between a single and a multiple entry visa? Why was I issued a single entry visa instead of a multiple entry visa? I have an eTA or a visa.
Find out if you need a visa to visit or transit through Canada. How to extend your stay as a visitor. COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, testing, quarantine and isolation are not required. Return or travel to Canada.
Contact your destination’s embassy or consulate in Canada well before you plan to leave on your trip to find out if you need a visa to enter the country or stay for a longer period of time. Requirements, fees and processing times vary, depending on the country and type of visa you need.
Visit Canada. Visas, Electronic Travel Authorizations and other documentation you may need to enter or transit through Canada.
A visitor visa is needed to come to Canada as a tourist, or on a quick trip to visit family, or do business for individuals of many countries. Anyone who is not a permanent or temporary resident of Canada (those with a work or study permit) will need a visitor visa to enter the country.