Visit Canada

A visitor visa, also referred to as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is an immigration document that allows foreign nationals to travel to and enter Canada. Unless you are from a visa-exempt country, you will need a visitor visa to enter Canada whether you are coming as a student, temporary worker, or simply to visit.

There are two types of Canadian visitor visas: single entry visas and multiple entry visas. A single-entry visa allows foreign nationals to enter Canada for one-time only. A multiple entry visa allows holders to enter and leave Canada as often as they want, as long as the visa is valid. Now a days, applicants are automatically considered for multiple entry visas and are only issued single entry visas under unique circumstances.

Multiple entry visitor visas permit the holder to travel to Canada for six months at a time, as many times as they want, as long as the visa remains valid. They can be valid for up to 10 years, up to the validity of the passport minus one month or at the discretion of the visa officer issuing it.

Who Needs a Visitor Visa

Everyone who wants to enter Canada who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or otherwise visa exempt, requires a visitor visa. Canadian permanent residents are not permitted to apply for a visitor visa, even if their permanent resident card has expired. They must instead apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD).

Visa-Exempt Countries

The only people, other than Canadian citizens and permanent residents, who do not require a visitor visa to enter Canada are individuals who are visa exempt. Canada has agreements with several countries that exempt citizens of those nations from requiring a visa to visit Canada for a period of up to six months. If foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries wish to visit Canada by air, they require a valid electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Extending a Visitor Visa

Visitor visas, whether single entry or multiple entry, allow foreign nationals to legally live in Canada for up to six months at a time. At the end of this period, your legal status will expire and you must leave Canada. Foreign nationals who would like to extend their stay beyond six months must apply to do so while their temporary resident status is still valid. You should apply for an extension at least 30 days before your status will expire. If your current visa expires while your extension application is still being processed, you may remain in Canada while waiting for a decision to be made. This is called maintained status.