By Nasir Khan, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB # R1053580), PrimeRoute Immigration Consulting Inc. Reviewed against IRCC information in October 2026.
Short answer: A visitor visa (temporary resident visa) lets you visit Canada, usually for up to six months. Officers decide whether you will leave at the end of your stay, based on your ties to home, your travel history and your purpose. Some travellers need an eTA instead of a visa, so check which one you need before you apply.
Visa or eTA: check first
Whether you need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) depends on your passport and how you travel. IRCC has a tool where you enter your nationality and travel details to find out. Applying for the wrong document wastes fees and time, so use it before you apply.
What officers look for
IRCC lists these entry requirements for visitors:
- A valid travel document, such as a passport.
- Good health.
- No criminal or immigration-related convictions.
- Enough money for your stay.
- Ties to your home country, such as a job, home, financial assets or family.
- The intention to leave Canada at the end of your visit.
Inadmissibility can also arise from criminal activity, security, health or financial grounds. A visitor visa is not issued to permanent residents. A permanent resident outside Canada without a valid PR card must apply for a permanent resident travel document.
How to apply
- Apply online. Visitor visas can be filed through the IRCC online portal. Paper applications are allowed only in specific situations.
- Prepare documents. You need a scanner or camera to upload them, and a valid credit card. The portal gives you a personalized document checklist.
- Submit a complete application. Incomplete applications can cause delays.
- Pay the fees and give biometrics. Most applicants aged 14 to 79 provide fingerprints and a photo, usually once every 10 years. The biometrics fee is $85 per person, up to $170 for a family applying together. You have 30 days from the date on the biometrics letter.
- Wait for a decision. IRCC starts processing after it receives your biometrics, and may ask for more information. If refused, you receive a letter explaining why.
How long you can stay
Visitors are normally allowed to stay up to six months, as decided by the border services officer on arrival. Check the date stamped in your passport or on the document you receive, because that is your actual limit, not the expiry date of the visa. If you need more time, you must apply to extend before it ends.
Visiting family
If you are inviting a relative, an invitation letter can help show the purpose and length of the visit, your relationship and your ability to host, but it does not replace the visitor's own documents. The visitor's ties to their home country, their funds and their travel history carry most of the weight.
Parents and grandparents: the Super Visa
Parents and grandparents have another option, the Super Visa. It is for a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian who is at least 18 and lives in Canada. IRCC's requirements include:
- A letter of invitation from the child or grandchild, who must also meet a minimum income that depends on family size.
- Private health insurance valid for at least one year from the date of entry. Since January 28, 2025, IRCC also accepts policies from certain foreign insurers authorized by Canada's financial regulator.
- An immigration medical exam, and the same general visitor conditions as above.
- The applicant must be outside Canada when applying.
Super Visa holders who applied on or after June 22, 2023 can stay up to five years at a time. The Super Visa and the ordinary visitor visa are different routes with different requirements, so decide which suits your family before applying.
Common reasons for refusal
- Weak ties to home. Little to show that you will return.
- An unclear purpose. A trip plan that does not match your finances or history.
- Insufficient funds for the stay or funds that cannot be explained.
- Inconsistent information between the application and supporting documents.
- Previous refusals or immigration issues that are not addressed.
A refusal letter shows what the officer relied on. Do not reapply with the same documents. Understand the reasons first, because a repeat refusal for the same weakness makes the next application harder.
When a consultant can help
You can apply yourself. A consultation helps if you have been refused before, your travel history is limited, your finances need explaining, or you are hosting a parent. We help you present a complete, honest application, and we cannot promise approval.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a visitor visa and an eTA?
Both let you travel to Canada, but eTAs are for travellers from visa-exempt countries who fly in. Which one you need depends on your passport and how you travel. Use IRCC's tool to check.
How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?
Normally up to six months, decided by the officer at the border. Check the date in your passport or on your document.
Do I need an invitation letter?
It is not a substitute for your own documents, but it can help support family visits and show the purpose of the trip.
What is a Super Visa?
A visa for parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. It has requirements that include a minimum income for the host, a letter of invitation, health insurance and a medical exam.
What if my visitor visa is refused?
You will get a letter explaining why. Review it before reapplying, because the same documents are likely to get the same result.
Can you guarantee a visa?
No. Visas are decided by IRCC. We can help you prepare a complete application.
Related: read about the Super Visa, study permits, refusals and procedural fairness letters and immigrating from overseas, see all Canadian immigration services, or learn how we work.
Planning to visit Canada?
Book a 30-minute online consultation with Nasir Khan, RCIC-IRB # R1053580. You will get an honest look at your options, including when you are not yet eligible.
This page is general information, not legal or individual immigration advice. Immigration decisions are made by government authorities such as IRCC, and no consultant can guarantee a result. Rules, fees and processing times change, so confirm current requirements on the official IRCC website before you act.