VISITOR VISA

Some foreign nationals who wish to visit or travel through Canada must first obtain a Visitor’s Visa, a type of temporary resident visa.  Whether or not foreign nationals will require a temporary resident visa is determined based on their citizenship.

Foreign nationals who are exempt from a temporary resident visa requirement may still need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.

REQUIREMENTS

Foreign nationals requiring visas must also meet the following requirements:

• Satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit;
• Prove that you have sufficient funds for your stay;
• Have no intent to work or study in Canada without authorization;
• Be in good health (a medical examination may be requested);
• Have no criminal or immigration related offences and not be a risk to the security of Canada;
• Have a valid travel document, such as a passport;
• Have a letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.

A foreign national may also need to meet other requirements for a visitor visa, such as biometrics, depending on their country of nationality.

EXTENDING YOUR VISITOR’S VISA

If you want to extend your stay in Canada, you must check your temporary resident visa to make sure you apply before its expiry date. You should apply 30 days before your status expires. If you apply to extend your visa, and it expires while you are waiting for a decision, you still have temporary resident (visitor) status, which is known as “implied status”.