Visitor Visa
A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document in your passport showing that you meet the requirements needed to enter Canada as a Visitor whether it is for tourism, business, family visits or for compassionate reasons.
There are three categories of visitor visa:
- Single entry Visa
- Multiple Visa
- Super Visa
You may also need a Visitor Visa if you are transiting through a Canadian airport on you way to your final destination.
How long can you stay?
Typically, visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. If you don’t get a stamp in your passport you can stay for 6 months from the date you enter or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Otherwise, at the port of entry, a border services officer may allow you to stay for a period less or more than 6 months. If so, they will either give you a Visitor Record document which shows the date you need to leave by or put the date you need to leave by in your passport.
Eligibility requirements:
- Valid travel document
- No criminal or immigration related convictions
- Good health
- Verify your admissibility to Canada
- Convince an immigration officer that you have significant ties to your home country, and you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
- Proof of financial capability to fund your stay
- Minor children have specific eligibility requirements depending on if they will be travelling alone, with their parents, or someone else