Canada is known for its stunning scenery, awesome mix of cultures, and welcoming communities
Recent statistics indicate that it draws millions of visitors each year for various reasons, including tourism, education, and work opportunities.
There are two types of visitor visas for Canada: single-entry visas and multiple-entry visas.
Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
What is a Visitor Visa?
A visitor visa, or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is a travel document that lets people from other countries visit Canada.
A visitor visa doesn’t offer the same benefits as other types of visas for those seeking permanent residency.
This visa lets you stay in Canada for a specific period, mainly for tourism, visiting family, or doing business for your startup.
If you’re not from a country that doesn’t need a visa, you’ll have to get a visitor visa to come to Canada, whether you’re just visiting, studying, or working temporarily.
Who Needs a Visitor Visa?
If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you need a visitor visa to enter Canada, unless you are from a visa-exempt country.
Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for a visitor visa, even if their permanent resident card has expired.
Instead, they must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD).
Canadian citizens, including those with dual citizenship, also cannot apply for a visitor visa.
They must travel with a valid Canadian passport.
Visa-Exempt Countries
Citizens from visa-exempt countries can visit Canada for up to six months without a visa. However, if they travel by air, they must get an electronic travel authorization (eTA).
Those coming by land or sea only need a valid passport.
U.S. citizens can enter Canada with a valid U.S. passport and do not need a visa or eTA for stays under six months.
U.S. permanent residents (Green Card holders) need an eTA to fly and must show a valid Green Card and passport to enter Canada.
Types of Visitor Visas for Canada
There are two types of visitor visas for Canada: single entry visas and multiple entry visas.
A single entry visa lets you enter Canada only once.
It is best suited for short visits to Canada, such as for tourism or a family event, especially if you do not plan to leave and re-enter during your trip.
A multiple entry visa lets you visit Canada for up to six months at a time and you can do this as often as your visa remains valid.
This visa is best for frequent travelers, like business professionals who need to visit Canada regularly or people with family in Canada who want to visit multiple times.
New Guidelines for Visitor Visas
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the rules for processing multiple-entry visitor visas.
This change only affects new applications and not existing visas.
Visa officers now have more flexibility to issue either single-entry or multiple-entry visas and decide how long they are valid, moving away from the old maximum of 10 years.
If you have a study or work permit and need a visa to enter Canada, you will automatically get a visitor visa, usually a multiple-entry visa.
If you leave Canada temporarily while studying and working, you do not need a new visitor visa to come back, as long as your permit and visa are still valid.
Eligibility Criteria for Visitor Visas
To apply for a visitor visa to Canada, you must meet these key requirements:
- You need a valid passport for the entire time you will be in Canada.
- You must show that you plan to leave Canada when your visit is over.
- You must have proof of funds to support yourself during your stay, covering costs like accommodation, food, and travel.
- You should not have a criminal record or pose a security threat to Canada.
- Some applicants might need to have a medical exam to ensure they do not risk the health of Canadians.
How to Apply
If you need a visitor visa to enter Canada, you can apply in three ways: online, with a paper application, or in person at a Visa Application Center (VAC).
Each family member, including dependent children, must fill out their own application, but you can submit all applications together.
Depending on your citizenship, you may need to provide biometric information with your application.
In Summary
There are two types of visitor visas for Canada, and you can choose the one that suits you best.
However, the IRCC has made some changes to how they issue these visas.
If you want to know how many times you can enter Canada, read our post about it.
To start your visa application process, contact Parsam Immigration here.
