The Ultimate Guide to Canada Visitor Visa Requirements

Foreigners who wish to visit Canada can do so only once they have obtained a Canada visitor visa. Prospective visitors should understand the various requirements for the Canada tourist visa before applying for it to improve their chances of being approved.

In this complete guide, we will go over these requirements and what else to look out for when creating and submitting your visitor visa Canada application.

Overview

TRVs are issued by a visa office in Canada to prove you meet the requirements for admission to the country as a visitor, student, or worker as a temporary resident. The TRV must be obtained and included with your passport before your arrival in Canada. A TRV may also be necessary when a temporary resident is moving from one province or region in Canada to another.

What is Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)?

If you are traveling from a country that does not require a TRV you may need an eTA to visit or travel through a Canadian airport. This applies to visa-exempt foreign nationals. Like the TRV, this documentation must be arranged before arriving in Canada but is not necessary for citizens of the United States or those with valid Canadian visas. Those coming to Canada by land or sea do not need an eTA.

ETAs are valid for about five years and can take minutes up to about three days to be issued through the online application system, so arranging the document should be done before booking a flight.

Why Should You Visit Canada?

People visit Canada for the following reasons:

Canada Visitor Visa Eligibility Requirements

You must ensure you satisfy the following Canada visitor visa requirements before applying:

1. Describe the purpose of your visit: You must have a valid reason to visit Canada. This could be tourism, visiting people, attending an event, or a business conference.
2. Show strong ties to your home country: You must show that you have a job, family, and investments back in your home country. All these things demonstrate that you have good reasons to leave Canada and return home after your visit.
3. Have a valid passport or any other relevant travel documents: Your passport or other travel documents must not be expired.
   Offer proof of sufficient funds: Provide bank statements and salary slips demonstrating you have enough money for your time in Canada.
4. Demonstrate good health: You may be asked to pass a medical exam that shows you are in good health.
   Satisfy country-specific factors: Pass certain requirements for applicants from your country.

A Perfect Purpose of Travel for Canada Visitor Visa (Sample Letter)

Canada Visitor Visa Application Process

The Canada visitor visa application process is summarized in the following steps:

• Fill out an online or paper visitor visa application
• Pay your application and biometrics fees
• Set up and attend your biometrics appointment, if applicable
• Submit your visitor visa application along with the supporting documents
• Check your application status for updates
• Provide additional documents and attend an interview if requested
• Receive your application decision
• Receive your passport with the visitor visa stamp

Tips to Improve the Chances of Your Canada Visitor Visa Application Being Approved

You can improve the odds of your Canada visitor visa application being approved by following the tips described below:

• Start the application process early: Starting the application process early gives you time to gather the appropriate documents and double-check your application to ensure everything is filled out correctly.
• Provide correct and up-to-date Information: Spend some time filling out the visitor visa form and ensuring the information you have included in it is correct and up-to-date.
• Show strong ties to your home country: Provide as many ties as you can. This includes a letter from your employer, information on any dependent family members, and documents related to your investments in your home country.
• Demonstrate that your reason to visit is genuine and that you intend to return: Include information on events you plan to go to or get a letter from your family and friends you will be visiting. Also, include copies of your flight tickets into and out of Canada.
• Show clear proof of funds: Providing an official bank statement on your bank’s letterhead will demonstrate that you indeed have the funds needed to support your stay in Canada.
• Be honest in the application: Be truthful and do not attempt to hide any information, as attempting to do so may get you penalized.
• Get help from a professional: A professional such as a lawyer or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant can help you overcome inadmissibility and ensure your application meets the visitor visa requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions: Visitor Visa Canada

We answered some common questions about the visitor visa below:

If you’re planning to apply for a Canada visitor visa soon, please contact Elaar Immigration. Our Regulated Immigration Consultants can help you with your application and ensure you meet each visa requirement. Take the next step toward your Canada visit with Elaar Immigration’s assistance.