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Visitor Visas

What is a Canadian TRV (Visitor Visa)?

A Canada Visitor Visa also referred to as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Canada Tourist Visa, is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (either as a visitor, a student, or a worker).
Types of Canada Visitor Visas
  • Visit/Tourism
  • Study
  • Work
  • Temporary Resident
  • Business

How long can i stay in Canada on a Tourist Visa?

Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. At the port of entry, the immigration border services may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. Once you are given a period of stay, they’ll put the date you need to leave in your passport. The immigration officer might also give you a document called a visitor record, which will show the date you need to leave by.

Canada Tourist Visa requirements

To qualify for a TRV, there are a few basic requirements you must meet which include:

  • have a valid travel document (like a passport)
  • be in good health
  • have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
  • convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets, or family that will take you back to your home country
  • convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
  • have enough money for your stay
How to apply for a Tourist Visa in Canada

There are three major steps to successfully applying for Canada Visitor Visa. These steps include:

  • Step 1: Check if you’re eligible to travel to Canada
  • Step 2: Gather all your supporting documents 
  • Step 3: Apply Online

Documents required for Canada Tourist Visa

There are five major documents you are required to show when applying for a TRV. Note that each immigration case is a little different depending on your specific situation, but generally, you should have the following documentation when applying for a ‘Temporary Resident Visa’ in Canada.

Canada Visitor Visa Checklist
  1. Proof of your ties to your home country
  2. Proof of funds for your visit to Canada
  3. ID such as a passport or county resident card
  4. A letter of invitation from the person inviting you to come to Canada
  5. Proof that you will be staying in Canada only on a temporary basis

Disclaimer: There may be other documents and information that you may need. Individuals must obtain a TRV before departure from their home country. Individuals cannot obtain a TRV upon arrival in Canada.

How to extend a Canadian Visitor Visa

If you’re currently in Canada and want to stay longer than your visa’s expiration date, you could file for an extension. In order to apply for an extension, you will need to fill out an IMM 5708 Form.

If your application to extend your stay in Canada is approved, you will receive a visitor record.

A visitor record:

  • is a document that says how long you can stay in Canada
  • includes an expiry date
    • that’s the date that you must leave Canada by

A visitor record does not guarantee entry to Canada. If you plan to travel outside Canada or the United States, you need a valid entry document to return to Canada.

What are the requirements to extend a Canada Visitor Visa?

  • You need to be currently in Canada
  • You need to hold a current passport that will stay valid for the duration of your stay
  • You will need to pay the associated fee for Form IMM 5708
  • You will need to ensure that any other permits that you hold (Study or work) will stay valid and not interfere with your visitor permit.

Canada Visitor Visa Restoration

Once your current visitor visa expires, you are no longer to extend your visitor visa. If you want to stay in Canada then you will have to apply to restore your status or you will have to leave Canada. You have to apply for a Restoration of Status within 90 days of your visitor visa expiration date.

Restoration of status requirements

  • Pay Restoration Fees
  • Provide details on:
    • Why you want to stay in Canada longer
    • Proof of current status in Canada
    • Financial proof that you will be able to support yourself in Canada
    • A plan of when you will leave Canada with departure time and dates. 
    • Demostrate that your residence in Canada is temporary.

FAQ

What if you leave Canada and then return before your visitor visa expires?
Visitor visas have different “features”. Some are single entry visas, which mean that they are for one entry to Canada only. If you leave Canada and wish to return, you will have to apply for another visa unless you are traveling to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon. However, some visas are multiple entry visas which allow people to leave and return to Canada during the validity of their visas.

Visitor Visas