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Canada Visitor Visa (Visa de visiteur)

Apply for a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa): check whether you need a visa or an eTA, prepare documents, pay fees, apply online, give biometrics, submit your passport and prepare for the border.

Curated by Raaya · Last reviewed Oct 2026

Steps

  1. Check if you need a visa or an eTA (Visa ou AVE)

    1 day

    Whether you need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) depends on your passport. Citizens of most countries need a visitor visa. Citizens of visa-exempt countries need an eTA, which costs $7, only when flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport; they need neither by land or sea. Some visa-required nationals can get an eTA instead if they meet extra conditions and fly. US citizens need neither.

    Use IRCC's Find out if you need a visa tool, which asks about your passport, travel purpose and how you will travel. Business visitors, transit passengers and parents or grandparents wanting long visits (super visa) have their own options.

    Tip: Apply only on the official canada.ca site; look-alike websites charge extra fees for the same eTA or visa.

    Online
    canada.ca
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  2. Gather your documents (Documents de visa)

    3 days

    IRCC asks for a scan of your passport; it should be valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to travel, and a visa cannot be issued beyond its expiry. Include pages showing your birth date, country of origin and previous visas or stamps.

    You will also usually need a digital photo, the family information form, proof you can pay for your trip (bank statements, pay slips, sponsor letter), and documents for your purpose of travel, such as an invitation letter from your host in Canada with their status and address, a hotel booking or a business letter. Travel history and proof of ties to your home country, such as employment, studies, property or family, help show you will leave at the end of your visit.

    Minors travelling alone or with one parent need a consent letter.

    Tip: Scan documents in colour and in full; cropped or unreadable copies are one of the most common causes of delays.

    Valid passport (Passeport)Digital photo meeting IRCC specificationsBank statements and proof of funds (Relevé bancaire)Employer letter or proof of studiesInvitation letter from host in Canada
    Attach my documents

  3. Strengthen your application (Liste des exigences)

    1 day

    An officer must be satisfied that you are a genuine visitor who will leave Canada at the end of your stay, that you have enough money, and that you are admissible. Most refusals cite weak ties to the home country, the purpose of the visit or insufficient funds, so address each one with documents.

    Keep your explanations honest and consistent across the form, letters and supporting documents.

    Tip: Explain gaps or unusual items, such as a recent large deposit, in your cover letter instead of leaving the officer to guess.

    • Write a short cover letter explaining purpose, dates and who pays
    • Add an employer letter with position, salary and approved leave, or school enrolment proof
    • Include bank statements for recent months and any sponsor's financial documents
    • Add a host invitation letter with their status in Canada and address
    • Show previous travel to Canada, the US or other countries if you have it
    • Plan travel medical insurance for the whole stay
    Bank statements and proof of funds (Relevé bancaire)Employer letter or proof of studiesInvitation letter from host in CanadaTravel medical insurance
    Attach my documents

  4. Pay the visa and biometrics fees (Frais de visa)

    1 day

    Pay online at the end of your application. The visitor visa processing fee is $100 per person, or $500 maximum for a family of five or more applying together. Biometrics cost $85 per person, or $170 maximum for a family. First-time applicants should pay the biometrics fee at the same time to avoid delays.

    You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay or Interac debit. Fees are not refunded if the application is refused.

    Tip: Check the IRCC fee list the day you apply; fees are adjusted from time to time and paying the wrong amount delays processing.

    Fee
    CA$100 · Visitor visa (TRV) processing fee per person ($500 maximum per family)
    Fee
    CA$85 · Biometrics fee per person ($170 maximum per family)
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  5. Submit your application online (Soumettre la demande)

    1 day

    Apply online through the IRCC Portal, or the new version of the portal if you are 18 or older, applying alone, applying for the first time and not using a representative. You answer questions to generate your forms, including the visitor visa application, upload your documents and pay.

    Online applications are faster and let you track status and receive messages. Paper applications are only for people who cannot apply online, such as because of a disability.

    After you submit, you will get confirmation and, if needed, a biometric instruction letter in your account.

    Tip: Read every generated form before submitting; an incorrect date of birth or passport number is hard to fix later.

    Online
    canada.ca
    Valid passport (Passeport)Digital photo meeting IRCC specificationsBank statements and proof of funds (Relevé bancaire)Employer letter or proof of studiesInvitation letter from host in Canada
    Attach my documents

  6. Give your biometrics (Biométrie)

    1 day

    Most applicants aged 14 to 79 must give fingerprints and a photo. After you submit online, the biometric instruction letter arrives in your account, usually within 24 hours, and you have 30 days to go to a Visa Application Centre or other official collection point. Biometrics are valid for 10 years, so you may not need to give them again.

    Booking is free; do not pay anyone for an appointment.

    Tip: Book immediately; your application is not processed until your biometrics are received.

    Where
    Visa Application Centre · Bring your passport and the biometric instruction letter. Fingerprints and photo are taken in a few minutes; appointments are free.
    Valid passport (Passeport)
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  7. Wait for the decision (Décision)

    21 days

    Processing times vary by country and season; IRCC says many applications are processed in a few weeks or less, but some need interviews, medical exams or police certificates. Check the current processing time tool and your account regularly.

    If IRCC asks for more documents, respond before the deadline in the request. If refused, the letter explains why; you can apply again with stronger evidence that addresses those reasons.

    Tip: Do not buy non-refundable tickets until your visa is in your passport.

  8. Submit your passport for the visa (Passeport)

    5 days

    If approved, you receive instructions in your IRCC account to submit your passport, usually at a Visa Application Centre, so the visa can be placed in it. You cannot travel to Canada until the visa is in the passport you submit.

    The officer decides how long the visa is valid; it may be single or multiple entry and valid up to your passport's expiry. Submitting a newer passport does not guarantee longer validity.

    When it comes back, check that your name, date of birth, passport number and visa dates are correct.

    Tip: If the visa has an error, contact IRCC before you travel; a mistake can cause problems at boarding or at the border.

    Online
    canada.ca
    Valid passport (Passeport)
    Attach my documents

  9. Prepare for the border (Avant le départ)

    1 day

    A visa allows you to travel to Canada; the border services officer decides whether you can enter and for how long. Most visitors can stay up to 6 months; if the officer sets a different date, it is written in your passport. To stay longer, apply for an extension at least 30 days before your authorized stay ends.

    Carry the documents you used for your application in your hand luggage so you can answer questions about your trip.

    Tip: Answer the officer's questions briefly and consistently with your application; contradictions are the main reason visitors are refused entry.

    • Check visa dates and passport validity cover your whole trip
    • Carry return ticket, accommodation details and host's invitation letter
    • Carry proof of funds such as bank cards and recent statements
    • Buy travel medical insurance; provincial health plans do not cover visitors
    • Note the date you must leave, or the date stamped by the officer
    • Complete the CBSA customs declaration before landing if your airport offers it
    Invitation letter from host in CanadaTravel medical insurance
    Attach my documents

Documents you'll need

Valid passport (Passeport)Should be valid for at least 6 months from your travel date; the visa cannot be valid beyond its expiry. You submit it for the visa after approval.
Digital photo meeting IRCC specificationsA recent photo following IRCC's visa photo specifications, uploaded with your online application.
Bank statements and proof of funds (Relevé bancaire)Recent statements showing you can pay for your trip; add a sponsor's documents if someone else pays.
Employer letter or proof of studiesShows your job, salary and approved leave, or your enrolment, which helps prove you will return home after the visit.
Invitation letter from host in CanadaFrom your host, with their full name, address, status in Canada, relationship to you, and the dates and purpose of your visit.
Travel medical insuranceStrongly recommended for visitors, as provincial health plans do not cover them; required for super visa applicants.

Official sources

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General guidance, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you act.

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