Apply Online for a Canada Visitor Visa

Last updated: March 2023

From mountains and glaciers to lakes and forests, Canada's natural beauty is almost unparalleled. Whether you are planning to travel to Canada for tourism, business, compassionate reasons, or to visit friends or family, you're in the right place to obtain the Canada Visitor Visa.

The Canada Visitor Visa application via iVisa has been simplified and shortened by 50%, making it faster and easier to fill out. You'll also receive a step-by-step guide to the application process, and you'll be assigned an iVisa personal expert to help you from start to end, so you can get your visa without stress. Continue reading to find out more and how to apply!

What is the Canada Visitor Visa?

The Canada Visitor Visa is a travel document that allows you to enter Canada as a tourist, for business purposes, or to visit family and friends. The visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document proving that you meet the entry requirements for Canada.

The majority of the Canada Visitor Visa application process is done online. The only step you cannot do online is to bring your biometric information to your local visa application center. An appointment must be booked online, over the phone, through web chat, or in person before visiting the center.

Below we explain to you in more detail when you need to do this procedure.

What can I do with the Canada Visitor Visa?

• You can visit Canada for tourism, holidays, and/or vacations.

• You can visit your family or friends.

• You can perform business activities.

• You can transit through Canada.

What can't I do with the Canada Visitor Visa?

• You can't work in Canada during your stay as a visitor.

• You can't participate in long courses or study for long periods.

Who is eligible to get the Canada Visitor Visa?

This visa should not be confused with the Canada ETA, a travel authorization for certain nationalities. Most travelers need either an ETA or a visitor visa, not both. Check which document you need with our convenient Visa Checker Tool, and apply instantly.

Validity of the Canada Visitor Visa

The Canada Visitor Visa allows you to enter Canada as many times as you want since it is a multiple-entry visa. This travel document is valid for 10 years, and you can stay in Canada for up to 6 months per visit.

Your Canadian tourist visa can expire one month before your passport does, so make sure to visit Canada before your passport expires and that it will stay valid during your trip. Otherwise, you'll need to apply for a new visa.

Visa requirements and documents to apply for the Canada Visitor Visa

To apply online for this Canadian visa via iVisa, we need your up-to-date information and certain documents:

• Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive in Canada.

• Applicant photo: You will need to upload a digital passport-sized photo and bring one to your biometrics appointment. If you don't have a photo, use the iVisa digital photo service.

• Your IMM 5645 form: We will send you your form via email once you've applied online.

• Birth certificate, passport, letter of authorization, and parents' contact details in case of a minor.

Transiting through Canada

If you are traveling to another country, you may need to transit through Canada. In this case, you will need a specific document, depending on the following:

• How you will travel through Canada (by air, car, bus, train, or boat).

• How long it'll take you to transit through Canada.

• Your nationality.

• Other factors include whether you are a permanent resident of the United States or a U.S. visa holder.

You need the Canada Visitor Visa if you're from a country eligible for this visa, and you plan to visit Canada beyond the airport, or stay in Canada for more than 48 hours while transiting.

How to apply for the Canada Visitor Visa with iVisa?

With iVisa, the application process is very easy and fast. You'll just need to follow these steps to get your visa quickly and easily.

• Step one: Start the application, fill out the visa application form with your personal information, and with the help of the PDF guide we send you via email.

• Step two: Double-check that all the information in the visa application form is correct to avoid issues down the line. All details need to match your supporting documents. Once everything is right, you can pay the visa fee with a credit/debit card or PayPal.

• Step three: Upload all supporting documents and submit your visa application form. Make sure that the scans are legible.

• Step four: We will carefully review your application, so it is 100% government compliant and to avoid rejection. You will now be able to contact your iVisa Expert via email, WhatsApp, and even schedule a call via Calendly at any time. Your iVisa Expert is there for you to answer any questions you may have.

• Step five: Once we review your application, we will send you the instructions to book an appointment at your local visa application center, so they can take your biometric information.

You will also have to pay the visa government fees.

Once all info is submitted to the government, you'll receive a receipt that contains the tracking number of your visa, so you can track your application process online. Once you get approval, you will receive your new Canada Visitor Visa and the receipt via email from iVisa.

Costs and processing time for the Canada Visitor Visa

The costs and processing time depend on a few different factors, such as your nationality, your submitted information, and if you're traveling with a family member, for example. You can check your visa costs when you start the application process here on iVisa.

Traveling with minors to Canada

Minors and children from eligible countries must also apply for the Canada Visitor Visa. Parents or legal guardians must apply on their behalf. It is required to submit extra documents to apply for children (see the required documents section).

Benefits of getting your Canada Visitor Visa with iVisa

• 100% government compliant: Our team of iVisa Experts will review each answer and document you submit to ensure it's 100% compliant with government requirements.

• Unlimited access to your iVisa Expert: At iVisa, we assign you an iVisa Expert to guide you through the entire application from start to end and solve any questions you may have.

• Simplified form: At iVisa, you will only have to answer around 50% of the questions, which are shorter and clearer than the government website. It will be like filling out a short survey.

• Fill out the form at your own pace: Make changes whenever you want, and save your progress, so you do not have to start from scratch every time.

• Step-by-step guide: Once you apply, we give you a full manual with all the tips you need to answer the more difficult sections and more info about how to avoid rejections.

How to extend your Canada Visitor Visa

In order to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor, you need to apply for a Canadian visitor record. It is not a visa but a document that allows you to stay longer in Canada until a new expiry date. You must apply for a visitor record at least 30 days before your current visa expires.

You must apply online through the Canadian government website.

Fill out the Canada CBSA Declaration

It's also an excellent idea to submit the CBSA Declaration in advance. By submitting Canada's optional Advance CBSA Declaration, you can complete the country's electronic customs declaration before departure, which allows for faster border processing.

This modern initiative is part of a program that uses new digital tools to improve travel document processing. Fill it out in just a few minutes and enjoy a faster arrival experience in Canada.

COVID-19 restrictions and requirements

All travelers entering Canada by air, land, or sea after October 1, 2022, do not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, COVID-19 pre-entry and arrival tests, use ArriveCAN, or quarantine.

More questions about visiting Canada?

If you have another question about the Canada Visitor Visa, ETA, or other travel documents, let our expert customer service team know via online chat or email at [email protected]. They are available 24/7.