Immigration

How to apply for a Canada visitor visa

Canada is a fascinating country that attracts visitors from all over the world as a tourist, business, and educational destination.

Every year, millions of tourists visit Canada. Over 35 million people visit Canada each year to take advantage of the many opportunities that our country provides, including visiting family and friends.

To visit Canada for a short period, such as a vacation or to see family or friends, you may need a Temporary Resident Visa unless you are a citizen of a visa-free country.

Foreign nationals can use Canadian Visitor Visas to visit Canada and reunite with friends and family, or solely to explore a new country.

What exactly is a Canadian temporary resident visa?

Canadian Temporary Resident Visas, also known as Canadian visitor visas, are various Visa that allows people to stay in Canada for a limited period, typically six months or less.

They visit for a variety of reasons, including tourism, business, and family visits.

If you have one of these visas, you will be in Canada for a limited time. You will be unable to apply for Canadian citizenship, obtain Canadian government documents, or claim Canadian benefits such as health insurance.

You are only permitted to stay in Canada for the purpose for which you applied, and you are not authorized to work or study on a long-term basis.

You can attend a study program that lasts six months or less if you specify it in your application.

Working is not permitted if this criterion not met. You must also demonstrate that you intend to return to your home country rather than stay in Canada.

What are the different types of Temporary Resident Visas in Canada?

Here are several types of Temporary Resident Visas organized by the purpose of visit.

This category includes the visas listed below:

Visitor Visa:

Also recognized as a Canada Tourist Visa is a visa that allows you to visit Canada for tourism purposes.

Super Visa:

A visa that grants parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit their children or grandchildren for more extended periods, up to two years at a time.

Diplomatic and Official Visa:

A visa that allows foreign government officials or diplomats to visit Canada on official business.

Courtesy Visa:

A visa for people who are not government officials or diplomats and do not qualify for Diplomatic or Official Visa, but have some importance or rank.

Facilitation Visa:

It is a visa granted to Canadian citizens with dual nationalities but does not have a Canadian passport due to circumstances beyond their control. The Consulate issues a Facilitation Visa in the passport of the other nationality that they hold to allow them to visit Canada. The Consulate issues a Facilitation Visa in the passport of the other nationality that they hold to allow them to visit Canada.

Business Persons and Business Delegations Visa :

This Visa is for business people travelling to Canada to conduct business, attending meetings, exhibitions, conferences, or trade shows.

Individuals wishing to enter Canada to give birth:

The Visa grant to women who wish to give birth in Canada because any child born in Canada is considered a citizen.

The Intending Organ Donors Visa

A visa is for individuals who wish to donate an organ to a Canadian Citizen.

Dual Intent Visa :

This Visa plan is for those who intend to stay in Canada temporarily and plan to apply for a permanent visa and state this intention in applications.

What are the TRV Canada requirements?

Because this is a category of visas rather than a single visa, potential applicants must meet two types of requirements to qualify or be eligible for any of the visas:

  • Standard Visa Requirements
  • Specific Visa Requirements

Standard Visa Requirements

The standard Canada Visa Requirements are a set of requirements that apply to all Temporary Resident Visas, regardless of the reason for your visit.

To apply for any of the temporary resident visas for Canada, you must submit the following forms:

Application for Temporary Resident, Form IMM 5257.

Family Information Form, Form IMM 5707.

Other forms that you may be required to complete if they apply to you are as follows:

Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (Form IMM 5409).

Use of a Representative (Form IMM 5476).

IMM 5475, Authorization to release personal information to a designated individual.

Specific Visa Requirements

If you qualify and meet the standard Canada Visa Requirements, you will be subject to additional requirements based on your purpose of visit.

Each type of Visa in the group has its own set of rules.

The following are some examples of such requirements:

You must have an itinerary of the places you intend to visit in Canada to apply for a Tourist Visa.

Letter of invitation from your child/grandchild, and proof of relationship, such as a birth certificate, are required for the Super Visa.

You must demonstrate that you work for a company other than the one you are conducting business in Canada to obtain a Business Visa.

You must have documents proving that you are a governmental official from your country and that you are visiting Canada for official duties, among other things, to obtain a Diplomatic Visa.

If you do not meet all of the requirements, you may be required to provide additional proof to the Canadian Consulate to persuade them that you should grant the Visa, or your application will reject.

How to apply for a Canadian visitor visa or temporary resident visa?

Applicants must complete a series of steps to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa.

You can apply for the TRV in two ways:

Online Application

In-person Application

Because most application processes digitized, it recommends that you apply online whenever possible.

Even if you apply online, you must appear in person if the Consulate requires an interview or biometrics. If you apply in person, you will need to return to the Consulate several times to complete the process.

The TRV application process includes the following steps:

Confirm your eligibility for a Canada Temporary Resident Visa.

It would help if you navigated to the Immigration tab on the Government of Canada’s website.

Select that tab, then select visit.

When you arrive at the page, you will see a link that says, Find out if you need a visa.

When you click on that link, you will take to a survey.

You must honestly answer the questions and choose the reason for your visit.

The questionnaire will analyze your responses to determine if you require a Temporary Resident visa, if you are eligible, or if you only require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Electronic Travel Authorization- An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada.

An electronic travel authorization (eTA) linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expiration, whichever comes first.

Create an Account

You must first save the reference code before registering for an account on the same Government of Canada website.

You can either use your bank account information to open the account or a Government of Canada login to do so (GCKey).

You can begin using your application after logging in.

Complete and submit the application

Use your referral code to gain access to your questionnaire responses and the forms you need to complete.

Wait for processing and respond to additional information requests.

It will take approximately five days for your application to appear on your account after you have submitted it.

The Canadian Consulate will handle the application over the next few weeks. If they deem it necessary, they will invite you to a visa interview and collect your biometric data. If this occurs, you must show up for the interview on time and answer all questions truthfully.

Send your passport to be stamped.

When your Canada Temporary Resident visa is approved, the notification will appear in your online account, or the Embassy will notify you once the interview is closed.

Following that, you must submit your passport for stamping and processing.

If you completed all of the online procedures, the Embassy would send you an email with instructions on where to mail your passport.

The passport and processing fees must mail, as well as a return envelope purchased.

If you go to the Embassy in person, you will pay the fees and hand over your passport to the Consular Officer.

The Consulate will stamp your passport and return it to you.

If they mail it back, it will take a few days to arrive, but you can begin planning your trip to Canada from that point forward.

Documents Required for a Visitor Visa to Canada

When applying for a TRV, you must bring documents with you. It is important to note that each immigration case is unique based on your specific situation. Still, in general, you should have the following documentation when applying for a ‘Temporary Resident Visa’ in Canada.

Checklist for Obtaining a Visitor Visa to Canada

  • Evidence of your ties to your homeland
  • Proof of funds for your visit to Canada Identification, such as a passport or county resident card
  • A letter of invitation from the person inviting you to visit Canada
  • Proof that you will only be in Canada for a short time.

Disclaimer: You may require additional documents and information. Before leaving their home country, individuals must obtain a TRV. Individuals arriving in Canada cannot obtain a TRV.

Commonly Asked Questions About Canada Visitor Visas (TRVs)

1. What if you leave and then return to Canada before your visitor visa expires?

Visitor visas differ in their features. Some are single-entry visas, which allow for only one visit to Canada. Unless you are travelling to the United States, you will need to apply for a new visa if you leave Canada and desire to return.

However, some visas are multiple entry visas that allow people to leave and return to Canada while their visas are valid.

2. Is it possible to extend my visitor status?

You must obtain visitor status if you are in Canada on a visitor visa and wish to extend your stay.

You can apply for visitor status in a Canadian immigration office from within the country.

You should, however, apply before your current visitor status expires.

In general, if you come to Canada as a “visitor,” you will be granted visitor status for six months.

If your visitor status expires but you have already applied for an extension. You are awaiting a decision on your extension application, and you have implied status until a final decision on your extension application.

If your application for an extension denied, you can apply for restoration of status as long as you do so within 90 days of the refusal date.

3. Who does not require a visitor visa to enter Canada?

Citizens of the following countries are exempt from requiring a visitor visa to visit Canada:

  1. Andorra
  2. Australia
  3. Austria
  4. Bahamas
  5. Barbados
  6. Belgium
  7. Brunei
  8. Chile
  9. Croatia
  10. Cyprus
  11. Czechia
  12. Denmark
  13. Estonia
  14. Finland
  15. France
  16. Germany
  17. Greece
  18. Hong Kong
  19. Hungary
  20. Iceland
  21. Ireland
  22. Israel
  23. Italy
  24. Japan
  25. Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of
  26. Korea, Republic of
  27. Latvia
  28. Liechtenstein
  29. Lithuania
  30. Luxembourg
  31. Malta
  32. Mexico
  33. Monaco
  34. Netherlands
  35. New Zealand
  36. Norway
  37. Papua New Guinea
  38. Poland
  39. Portugal
  40. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  41. Saint Lucia
  42. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  43. Samoa
  44. San Marino
  45. Singapore
  46. Slovakia
  47. Slovenia
  48. Solomon Islands
  49. Spain
  50. Sweden
  51. Switzerland
  52. Taiwan, Province of China
  53. United Kingdom
  54. United States of America
  55. Vanuatu
  56. Vatican City State
  57. Zimbabwe

You do not need a visitor visa to visit Canada if you are a British citizen or British Overseas Citizen who is re-admissible to the UK.

You do not need a visitor visa to travel to Canada if you have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and have your alien registration card (Green Card in the United States) or other proof of permanent residence.

You do not need a TRV if you are a Turkish citizen travelling on a diplomatic passport or holding a passport or travel documents issued by the Holy See.

4. How long does it take to process TRV applications?

No one can guarantee how long the Canadian government will take to process your TRV applications. Still, we recommend applying at least two months before your planned departure date to avoid disappointment.

It is possible to complete the process more quickly if professional immigration assistance used.

Your application may delay due to one or more of the following factors:

  • Incomplete Applications.
  • Background or security checks and a medical exam are required, as is a criminal record interview and document verification.

5. What are the conditions for extending a visitor visa to Canada?

  • You must be currently residing in Canada.
  • It would help if you had a valid passport that is valid for the entire length of your stay. You must also pay the associated fee for Form IMM 5708.
  • You must ensure that any other permits you hold (study or work) remain valid and do not conflict with your visitor permit.

6. How Long Can a Visitor Stay in Canada?

Most visitors granted a six-month stay beginning on the day they enter Canada.

If the officer authorizes a stay of fewer than six months, the date by which you must leave Canada will indicate in your passport.

If you intend to stay longer than your authorized stay, you must apply for an extension at least 30 days before the end of your authorized stay.

Other Essential Visitor Visa Information

Individuals must demonstrate to the officer that they meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and that they will be in Canada for a temporary stay order to qualify for a Temporary Resident Visa.

Individuals also required to:

  • Assure an officer that they will leave Canada when their visit is over.
  • Demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members in Canada and return home.
  • They have no intention to work or study in Canada (unless authorized to do so).
  • They have no criminal record.
  • They will not endanger Canada’s security.
  • They have good health (complete a medical examination if required)

Why Is It Necessary to Seek Professional Immigration Assistance?

Although the procedures for applying for a Canadian Visitor Visa appear straightforward, some aspirants apply without the help of an immigration lawyer, believing they can handle it on their own.

In the scenario of TRV applications, the risk of refusal is higher if the application not adequately prepared.

The expectations are incredibly high. The most common reason for application denial incorrectly filled out forms.

It’s a shame when someone’s dreams dash because of a single omitted ‘dotted I or ‘crossed too.

With the help of professional immigration professionals, you can improve your chances of getting your TRV applications approved.

Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.

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