Canada has beautiful mountains and is ideal for skiing. Niagara Falls, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec are some of the top destinations for tourism. The Canada visitor visa is also called a temporary residence visa. A large majority of travelers require a visitor visa to travel to Canada. A traveller may require one if they are transiting through a Canadian airport on the way to their destination. A visitor visa can be applied for online or on paper. Today we will be talking about the Canada visitor visa requirements.
Canada Visitor Visa Requirements
Canada Visitor Visa Checklist
The most recent Covid-19 precautions by the government of Canada are the following:
Exemptions Ending for Certain Travelers Entering Canada:
Effective January 15, 2022, some foreign national travelers who were previously allowed to enter Canada without being fully vaccinated will now be required to be fully vaccinated in order to enter Canada. There will also be changes to testing and quarantine exemptions for certain travelers, regardless of citizenship, entering Canada.
Make sure the visa you need is a visitor visa by entering your information on the Government of Canada Website.
Duration of Stay
A large majority of visitors can stay upto 6 months.
At the port of entry, the border services officer may determine your stay to be less or more than 6 months. If this is the case, the date the traveller needs to leave by will be put in your passport. The traveller might be given a document, called a visitor record, which states the date they need to leave by.
If the traveller does not receive a stamp in their passport, they can stay 6 months from the day they entered or until their passport expires (whichever comes first). If the traveller requires a stamp, they can ask a border services officer for it. If the traveller arrives at an airport that utilizes primary inspection kiosks, they can ask the border officer after they finish at the kiosk.
Canada Visitor Visa Fees
The Canada Visa fees are from $ 100.
Eligibility
The Applicant Must:
- 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 their stay
- The amount of money they will need depends on how long they will stay and if they will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.
They may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.
The list of documents provided later in this article, can clarify exactly what the applicant requires.
People Not Allowed to Enter Canada
There are various reasons that can stop an applicant from being able to enter Canada, including involvement in the following:
- Criminal activity
- Human rights violations
- Organized crime
The applicant can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.
Canada Visitor Visa Requirements (tourism purpose)
We are going to take the example of the visitor visa for the purpose of tourism. The following are the documents required for Canada visitor visa for the purpose of tourism.
Proof of Vaccination for Covid 19
- This is required.
- The applicant must use ArriveCAN to enter their proof of vaccination information. This must be entered within 72 hours before your arrival in Canada.
- The applicant can show this to a border services officer when they arrive in Canada (at a Canadian airport or a land port of entry).
Proof of a Negative COVID-19 Test Result
- This is required.
- The applicant must take the COVID-19 test within 72 hours before their scheduled arrival in Canada.
Air Travel
The traveller must show airline staff when they board their flight to Canada. If they don’t present a negative test result at check-in, the airline will not allow them to board the flight.
Land Travel
The traveller must show a border services officer when they arrive at a Canadian land port of entry. If they don’t present a negative test result, the border services officer will not allow them to enter Canada.
ArriveCAN Receipt (Electronic or Paper)
The traveller must use the ArriveCAN app before checking in at the airport or crossing the border.
They must submit :
- travel and contact information
- quarantine plan
- COVID-19 symptom self-assessment
- COVID-19 proof of vaccination
The traveller can show this to the border services officer upon arrival in Canada.
Travel History
Travel history is optional with the visa application.
If the applicant has travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that they have been able to get a visa in the past. Proof of this includes copies of the applicant’s previous visas in their passport.
A readable copy of 1 or more of the following is required:
- Applicant’s previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside their country)
- entry and exit stamps
- study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
- expired or valid visas
Itinerary
The itinerary is optional with the visa application. This consists of documents that demonstrate how long the applicant plans to stay and what they will do in Canada. The applicant can include:
Copies of any of the following:
- Flight details
- Hotel reservations
- Registration for an event
Account Statement
This is optional with the visa application.
This can help to show that the applicant has enough money to support themselves during their stay in Canada.
Bank name and contact.
This allows the Canadian government to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.
Proof it is the applicant’s account.
The name and address on the statement show that the account is the applicant’s.
Account details
At least 6 months of account details, including balances, help the Canadian government understand the applicant’s financial situation.
Can be submitted with visa application.
Identity Document
This is required.
Documents Accepted:
- Passports (regular, official or diplomatic)
- Alien’s passport for stateless persons
- US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
- US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
- Other refugee travel documents for non-citizens
The applicant needs to provide a clear colour copy of their valid passport or travel document that they will use to travel to Canada.
If they have a passport, they must provide a copy of:
the page that shows their birth date and country of origin, and any pages with stamps, visas or markings
The applicant’s travel document must be issued by a government and include their:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Document number
- Citizenship or residency status
- Photo
- Expiry Date (if applicable)
Use of a representative (IMM 5476)
This is required – if applicable. Family members who apply on behalf of the applicant or third parties need to complete this form. A completed IMM 5476 form can be submitted with the visa application.
Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475)
This is optional with the visa application. This form can be used if the applicant wants to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release their personal information to someone they choose.
The person they choose will be able to get information on their case file, such as the status of their application. A completed IMM 5475 form can be submitted with the visa application.
Family information (IMM 5645)
Required with visa application. Each applicant 18 years or older must complete this form.
A completed IMM 5645 form is to be submitted with the visa application.
Minor Children
Required with visa application, if applicable. Documents needed depend on whether the child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone.
Documents that may need to shown:
- a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and
- other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not
To be submitted with the visa application. To be shown to a border services officer upon arrival in Canada.
How to Apply
Apply Online Through the IRCC Portal
The applicant must:
- create an account on the government of Canada website
- upload their documents
- pay their fees
Canada Visitor Visa Processing Time
Most applications are processed in a few weeks or less.
After Application
The application will be checked to ensure it is complete, otherwise it will be sent back.
The applicant may also be asked to :
- Go to an interview with officials in their country
- Send more information
- Get a medical exam
- Get a police certificate
- Canadian Business Visa Processing Time
Most applications are generally processed within a few weeks or less.
Upon Approval of the Canada Visitor Visa
Online application:
The applicant will receive 2 letters in the IRCC account:
- The decision letter
- A letter with instructions to submit their passport
This approval doesn’t mean the applicant can travel to Canada. They need to wait until the visa is put in their passport .
Paper Application :
Once the application is approved, all original documents including the passport with the visa inside will be returned to the applicant.
Refusal of Visa
Online Application:
The applicant will receive the decision in the IRCC account. It will explain why the application was refused.
Paper Application:
The applicant will receive an explanation as to why their application was refused. All original documents including passport will be returned.
We hope that this article has been informative about the Canada visitor visa requirements.
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FAQs
The fees are from $100.
Most applications are processed in a few weeks or less.
Yes.
