Canada is home to some of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the world. Canada welcomes more than 30 million temporary residents each year. To enter Canada and receive temporary resident status, visitors will need a temporary resident visa (TRV). This official document is issued by the visa office and is to be placed in the visitor’s passport. Unless you are a Citizen or permanent Resident of Canada, you will require permission to enter Canada as a visitor which means obtaining either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an ETA (electronic Travel Authorization).
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The following foreigners need either a TRV or an ETA to enter Canada:
Citizens of visa-exempt countries intending to travel to Canada by air are expected to have applied for an obtained an electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before their departure to Canada.
Exception: Citizens of the United States do not require a TRV or an ETA, but Green Card holders in the United States, require an ETA to come to Canada, regardless of their nationality. (If you are NOT a citizen from a visa-exempt country, you WILL need a TRV to enter Canada)
As of March 15, 2016, travellers with passports from countries that are visa-exempt who enter Canada by air will need an ETA.
The authorization is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
The TRV is a document issued by a Canadian Immigration Visa Office outside Canada, showing that the holder has satisfied the requirements for admission to Canada as a visitor. TRVs may be for single entry or multiple entry. Generally, tourists are admitted for a period of six months. Temporary foreign workers and international students are admitted for varying periods of time, as determined on a case-by-case basis. Extensions may be applied for from within Canada.
Considering bringing your Parents and Grandparents to Canada?
A great way to bring Parents and Grandparents to Canada is through the Super Visa program. Super Visa allows family members to come to Canada as long-term visitors on a multiple entry visa that may last up to 10 years. A Super Visa is valid for 2 years before it must be renewed.
This is an ideal option for Canadian Citizens and Canadian Permanent Residents who are waiting to sponsor their parents for PR, or who currently do not qualify for Parental PR sponsorship.
The financial requirement for a Super Visa is less strict than PR sponsorship- the minimum necessary income (MNI) is 30% lower than that of PR sponsorship, and only 1 year of gross income must exceed the MNI vs 3 years with PR Sponsorship.
Depending on the citizenship of the sponsored person, a TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) may also be required for non-visa-exempt countries. If a TRV is required, please be advised that there is a rigorous screening process and there is a high rate of refusal when individuals apply on their own. To find out if a TRV is required, please contact one of our immigration Consultants to book a consultation.
Canada permits certain business visitors to enter and participate in international business activities without the need for a work permit. Permitted activities include conferences, meetings, workshops, and seminars. Business visitors may still require a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada and all business visitors must declare the purpose of their visit at the port of entry to be admitted. For more information about permitted activities and for assistance in preparing an application to enter Canada as a Business Visitor, please contact us.
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The Business Visitor category facilitates entry for individuals (without a work permit) who engage in business or trade activities in Canada but will not enter the Canadian labour market. Individuals who plan to enter the Canadian labour market may require a Temporary Work Permit. In addition, a Business Visitor may still require a Temporary Resident Visa or an eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) to enter Canada on a temporary basis.
When travelling to Canada, a business visitors should be prepared to present immigration officials with documentation that attests to their desired status in Canada. This documentation varies on a case-by-case basis. Often, items such as a letter of support from a parent company or letter of invitation from a Canadian company can aid to support one’s chance of acceptance as a business visitor.
To enter Canada and receive temporary resident status, visitors will need a temporary resident visa (TRV). This official document is issued by the visa office and is to be placed in the visitor’s passport.
GNI Immigration Services Team understands that applying for a visitor visa is more than just filling out a form. Our immigration professionals not only assist you in filling out the required application forms but also assess your eligibility for a TRV, as prescribed by Canada’s immigration laws.
Canada is home to millions of international tourists each year. More than 22 million people visit Canada every year to enjoy the many opportunities the country has to offer. This includes those visiting family and friends. If you wish to come to Canada for a temporary purpose, you may need a TRV, unless you are a citizen from a “visa exempt” country.
Before starting the Canada visitor visa application process, it’s important to understand whether you need one or not before entering Canada. Contact GNI Immigration Services to find out if you require an ETA to travel to Canada
A Canada Visitor Visa also referred to as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Canada Tourist Visa, is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (either as a visitor, a student, or a worker).
Types of Canada Visitor Visas
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. At the port of entry, the immigration border services may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. Once you are given a period of stay, they’ll stamp the date you need to leave in your passport. The immigration officer might also give you a document called a visitor record, which will show the date you need to leave by.
Canada Tourist Visa Requirements
To qualify for a TRV, there are a few basic requirements you must meet which include:
How to Apply for a Tourist Visa in Canada
There are three major steps to successfully applying for Canada Visitor Visa. These steps include:
Documents Required for Canada Tourist Visa
There are five major documents you are required to show when applying for a TRV. Note that each immigration case is a little different depending on your specific situation, but generally, you should have the following documentation when applying for a ‘Temporary Resident Visa’ in Canada.
Canada Visitor Visa Checklist
How to Extend a Canadian Visitor Visa
(If your application to extend your stay in Canada is approved, you will receive a visitor record)
A Visitor Record:
Is a document that says how long you can stay in Canada, it includes an expiry date (that’s the date that you must leave Canada by). A visitor record does not guarantee entry to Canada. If you plan to travel outside Canada or the United States, you need a valid entry document to return to Canada.
What are the Requirements to Extend a Canada Visitor Visa?
