Visit Canada (Temporary Residents)

Canada welcomes millions of visitors each year for tourism, family visits, short-term study, and business activities. Most travellers need either a Visitor Visa (temporary resident visa, “TRV”) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to or transit through Canada by air. What you need depends on your nationality, document type, and how you travel. Use IRCC’s tool to check your requirement before you apply.

Do you need a Visitor Visa or an eTA?

Visitor Visa (TRV): Required for most visa-required nationals. TRVs may be single-entry or multiple-entry (the officer decides); generally valid up to the earlier of 10 years, passport expiry, or biometrics expiry. Most visitors can stay up to 6 months per entry unless a border officer authorizes a different period.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): Required to fly to Canada for most visa-exempt travellers. It’s linked electronically to your passport and is typically valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires. U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA. U.S. lawful permanent residents are also exempt (for all modes of travel) but must show a valid passport and proof of U.S. permanent residence.

Tip: If you already hold a valid Canadian visa and later become eligible for an eTA, you can keep travelling with your visa until it expires; you don’t need both.

Basic eligibility (for most visitors)

To visit Canada you must: have a valid travel document, be in good health, have no criminal/immigration-related convictions, show ties that will return you home (economic, social, family, etc.), have enough funds for your stay, and satisfy the officer you’ll leave at the end of your visit.

Fees & biometrics

TRV fee: CAD $100 per person (family maximum of $500 when 5+ apply together). Extending visitor status inside Canada is CAD $100.
Biometrics (fingerprints & photo): Often required after you apply: $85 per person, $170 family maximum (when eligible). Transit-visa applicants don’t pay biometrics fees.
eTA: $7 online. Decisions are often quick but can take several days if more information is needed
- (Fees can change—always verify on IRCC’s official fee page.)

How long you can stay & extending your stay

Default stay: up to 6 months unless a border officer authorizes a different period and/or issues a visitor record with a specific date.
Need more time? Apply online before your status expires to extend your stay as a visitor (you’ll receive a visitor record if approved). A visitor record allows you to remain longer but does not guarantee re-entry if you travel.

Short-term study (6 months or less)

You generally do not need a study permit for programs that are 6 months or less (you still need the right entry document). For longer programs, a study permit is required.

Business visitors (no work permit)

You may qualify as a business visitor to attend meetings, conferences, or perform certain after-sales service activities without a work permit, provided your main source of income and place of business remain outside Canada. Some activities require a work permit. Check your category before travelling.

Transit through Canada

eTA transit: If you’re from an eTA-required country and transit by air, you need an eTA.
Transit visa: If you’re visa-required, you may need a free transit visa for air connections of 48 hours or less (if you don’t already hold a valid TRV and aren’t eligible for an eTA).

Super Visa (Parents & Grandparents)

The Super Visa lets eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians visit for up to 5 years per entry, with multi-entry validity (often up to 10 years). Applicants must provide proof of paid medical insurance (Canadian or an OSFI-listed foreign insurer), meet medical/exam requirements, and the host in Canada must meet the minimum necessary income (updated annually to reflect Statistics Canada thresholds).

Income thresholds for the Super Visa update annually; hosts should always verify the latest “minimum necessary income” table on IRCC’s page

Policy basis: The Super Visa is governed by Ministerial Instructions (MI) that formalize extended stays and insurance options.

After you apply

Processing times vary by country and whether biometrics are needed. Check your country-specific estimate and follow IRCC’s instructions promptly if they ask for more documents.

Quick checklist before you apply

Confirm whether you need a TRV or eTA using IRCC’s tool.
Gather required documents (passport, proof of funds, travel purpose, invitation letter if applicable). You may need a medical exam and/or police certificate depending on your situation.
Budget for fees and biometrics, and apply online.

IRCC has signalled sustained integrity efforts across temporary resident programs (including visitors). Measures since late 2023 include tighter screening, partial visa measures for certain countries, and increased fraud detection activities, reflected in parliamentary committee materials. Applicants should expect careful assessment of purpose of travel, ties, and genuineness.