Visit Visa
Book yourself a consultation to find out what document you need to travel, visit family and friends, do business, or transit through Canada, and how to extend your stay.
What is a visitor visa?
A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document that we stick in your passport. It shows that you meet the requirements needed to enter Canada.
Who needs a visa?
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.
How long can you stay?
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.
Extend your stay as a visitor
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. You must apply for a visitor record before your current status expires. A visitor record 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 an eTA, to return to Canada.
Visitor Visas for workers and students
You can only apply for a visitor visa from inside Canada if you meet all of these criteria:
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Already are in Canada
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Hold a valid study or work permit
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Want to leave and return to Canada in the near future, and
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Have an existing visitor visa that’s expired, or is about to expire, or that was valid for only 1 entry
If you already left Canada and need to apply for a new visitor visa
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You must follow the process to apply for a visa from outside Canada instead of the inside Canada process
When to apply for new visitor visa (in Canada)
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Apply at least 2 months before you plan to leave Canada
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Not leave Canada until you get your visitor visa
If you leave Canada before you get your new visitor visa, you may be subject to
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Additional requirements, like biometrics (if not already on file) and/or a medical exam
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A longer processing time
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A delay in your return to Canada.
You’ll only be able to travel back to Canada once you get your new visitor visa in your passport. There’s no guarantee that you’ll be approved.
Super visa for parents and grandparents
Parents and grandparents can visit their children or grandchildren for 5 years at a time with a super visa. It provides multiple entries for a period of up to 10 years.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a super visa, you must have a host who
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Is your child or grandchild
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Is a canadian citizen, permanent resident of canada or registered indian
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Is at least 18 years old and lives in canada
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Meets or exceeds the minimum necessary income
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Signs a letter inviting you to canada
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You must also be outside canada when you submit your application for a super visa
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Have your visa printed by a visa office outside canada (wait for visa office instructions)
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Be allowed to enter canada
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Take an immigration medical exam
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Meet certain other conditions
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You can’t include dependants in this application.
Health insurance
You must have proof of a health insurance policy from either
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A Canadian insurance company, or
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An insurance company outside canada that is approved by the minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship
The health insurance policy should
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Be valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry
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Be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit (quotes aren’t accepted)
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Cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation
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Provide a minimum of $100,000 of emergency coverage
Other conditions we consider
We consider several things before we decide if you can come to Canada. You must be a genuine visitor to Canada who will leave by choice at the end of your visit.
When you apply, we’ll consider
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Your ties to your home country
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The purpose of your visit
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Your family and finances
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The overall economic and political stability of your home country
How long you can stay in Canada
The date you apply for your super visa may affect how long you can stay in Canada.
If you apply on or after June 22, 2023
You’re eligible to stay for 5 years at a time.
If you applied before June 22, 2023
The date you enter Canada with a valid super visa may also affect how long you can stay:
You entered Canada before June 22, 2023
You can only stay in Canada for the length of time the border officer granted you when you entered Canada. For example, if you were granted 2 years, you can stay in Canada for 2 years.
However, if you want a longer stay, you have 2 options. You can either
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Leave Canada before the end of your authorized stay and re-enter Canada
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The border officer may let you stay for 5 years if you still meet all the eligibility requirements for a super visa.
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Apply to extend your stay in Canada and be approved for an extension of up to 2 years you entered Canada on or after June 22, 2023
You’re eligible to stay for 5 years at a time.
