A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document which shows that you meet the requirements needed to enter Canada. Most travellers need a visitor visa to travel to Canada. You may also need one if you’re transiting through a Canadian airport on your way to your final destination.
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. At the port of entry, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If so, they’ll put the date you need to leave by in your passport. They might also give you a document, called a visitor record, which will show the date you need to leave by. If you don’t get a stamp in your passport, you can stay for 6 months from the day you entered Canada or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you need a stamp, you can ask a border services officer for one. If you arrive at an airport that uses primary inspection kiosks, ask the border officer after you finish at the kiosk.
You may need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization. The entry document you need depends on:
- the type of travel document you plan to travel with
- the country that issued your travel document
- your nationality
- your method of travel to Canada for this trip
Eligibility Requirements
- 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
You may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.
Make sure you know what to do if your minor children (children under the age of 18) will be travelling with you, with someone else, or alone.
Book your free consultation with us to check your eligibility. Contact our office and begin the process of visitor visa.
Visitor Status Extension
If you want to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor (stay in Canada longer), you need to apply for a visitor record. A visitor record is not a visa. A visitor record is a document that gives you status as a visitor in Canada and allows you to stay longer and includes a new expiry date that you must leave Canada by. You must apply for a visitor record before your current status expires.
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. At the port of entry, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If so, they’ll put the date you need to leave by in your passport. They might also give you a document, called a visitor record, which will show the date you need to leave by. If you don’t get a stamp in your passport, you can stay for 6 months from the day you entered Canada or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you need a stamp, you can ask a border services officer for one. If you arrive at an airport that uses primary inspection kiosks, ask the border officer after you finish at the kiosk.
A visitor record is a document that continues to give you status as a visitor in Canada and allows you to stay longer. It doesn’t guarantee that you can leave and then re-enter Canada.
If you plan to travel outside Canada or the United States, you need a valid entry document, such as a visitor visa or eTA, to return to Canada.
If a temporary resident has lost their status or let their authorization to work or study expire, they may apply to restore that status in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
The applicant must:
- Apply within 90 days of having lost their status;
- Meet the initial requirements for their stay;
- Remain in Canada until a decision is made;
Frequently Asked Questions
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months.
Anyone who has a valid travel document or passport is eligible as long as they are in good health, do not have any criminal or immigration-related conviction, proof that you will return home and have sufficient funds for their stay. A medical exam and a letter of invitation from a Canadian citizen may also be requested
Single entry means that you can enter Canada for one-time only and multiple entry allows entry as many times as you like for up to 6 months at a time
This will depend on which option you select, your nationality and where your travel document is processed