Prepared and reviewed by: GlobalVisora Editorial Team
Last reviewed: September 10, 2026
Verification scope: Visitor visa eligibility, online application, documents, fees, biometrics and arrival rules were checked against IRCC guidance linked below.
Next review due: December 2026, or earlier if IRCC changes visitor requirements.
A Canadian visitor visa, formally called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is placed in a passport and shows that the traveller met the requirements to travel to Canada. Some travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead, while U.S. citizens are generally exempt from both. The required document depends on nationality, status and method of travel.
Quick answer: A visitor visa application currently costs CAD$100 per person. Applicants who must provide biometrics normally pay an additional CAD$85 individual fee. Processing time varies by country and does not include the time needed to give biometrics.
Visitor visa, eTA or neither?
| Document | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa (TRV) | Visa-required traveller entering by air, land or sea |
| eTA | Eligible visa-exempt traveller flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport |
| Neither | Some exempt travellers, including U.S. citizens, who still need proper identification |
Special rules allow some visa-required nationals to use an eTA for qualifying air travel, but that does not automatically cover entry by land or sea. Use IRCC’s official entry-document tool for the passport and route you will actually use.
Who can qualify for a visitor visa?
IRCC says an applicant must have a valid travel document, be in good health, have no disqualifying criminal or immigration history, satisfy the officer that they will leave Canada, and have enough money for the stay. The officer may examine ties such as employment, family, property or financial assets.
The amount of money required is not a single published figure for every visitor. It depends on trip length, accommodation, number of travellers and who is paying.
Fees and biometrics
- visitor visa: CAD$100 per person;
- family of five or more applying together: maximum visitor-visa processing fee of CAD$500 where the family-fee conditions are met;
- biometrics: CAD$85 per individual when required; and
- family biometrics: maximum CAD$170 for eligible family members applying together.
Fees are generally non-refundable after processing begins, even when an application is refused. Biometrics previously provided for a temporary-residence application may remain valid for a period shown in IRCC’s official status checker.
Documents commonly requested
- a clear copy of a valid passport or travel document;
- travel history and previous visas;
- itinerary, accommodation and purpose-of-visit evidence;
- bank statements showing account ownership and financial history;
- employment or business documents supporting stable circumstances;
- an invitation letter and host documents where relevant;
- sponsor evidence explaining the relationship and expenses covered;
- documents for minors travelling alone or with one parent; and
- country-specific documents generated by the official application process.
IRCC’s current guidance can request at least six months of account details in relevant cases. A recent large deposit without a clear source may create questions. Provide truthful evidence showing where funds came from.
For photo preparation, see our Canada visitor visa photo requirements, including frame measurements, digital-upload checks and a photographer checklist. Follow the documents requested for your own application.
How to apply online
- Use the official questionnaire to confirm whether you need a visitor visa.
- Select the correct reason for travel so the portal generates relevant instructions.
- Create or access the correct IRCC application account.
- Complete every form and upload clear documents.
- Pay processing and biometrics fees.
- Submit the application and monitor messages in the portal.
- After receiving a biometrics instruction letter, book an official collection appointment if required.
- Submit your passport only when and where IRCC instructs.
Single-entry and multiple-entry visas
The same processing fee applies to single- and multiple-entry TRVs. IRCC decides which visa to issue and its validity, which can be limited by passport or biometrics validity. A long-validity multiple-entry visa does not allow a visitor to live in Canada permanently.
How to make the purpose of visit clear
State who is travelling, why, for how long, where they will stay and who will pay. The itinerary should match work leave, available funds and invitation details. If visiting relatives, explain the relationship without suggesting an undeclared intention to remain permanently.
A host’s invitation can help explain the trip but does not transfer responsibility for the application or guarantee approval. Avoid generic copied letters and false reservations.
After approval and at the border
A TRV allows travel to Canada but does not guarantee admission. A border services officer determines whether you may enter and how long you may stay. Carry your passport, purpose-of-trip information, host address, funds and return plan.
Cruise travellers should also read our Canada cruise entry checklist. For the U.S. route, see the U.S. visitor visa guide.
Common mistakes
- applying for a TRV when an eTA or different permit is required;
- submitting only a closing bank balance without financial history;
- inconsistent travel dates, employment leave or sponsor details;
- omitting prior refusals or immigration history;
- using unauthorised representatives or fake documents; and
- buying non-refundable travel before a decision.
Frequently asked questions
Does a visitor visa guarantee entry?
No. The final admission decision is made at the Canadian border.
Can I work on a visitor visa?
A visitor visa is not a general work permit. Do not plan employment unless a specific authorisation applies.
How long does processing take?
It varies by country and case. Use IRCC’s live processing-time tool and remember that biometrics time may not be included.
Official sources
GlobalVisora is independent and is not affiliated with IRCC, CBSA, a visa application centre or the Government of Canada. This is general information, not legal advice or a visa guarantee.