Canadian Visitor Visa

A visitor visa, referred to as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is an immigration document that allows foreign nationals to visit and enter Canada. Canada is home to many of visitors each year. In other word, many people visit Canada every year to enjoy the opportunities the country offers, including visiting family and friends. You may need a TRV If you wish to come to Canada for a temporary purpose.

There are two types of Canadian visitor visa:

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.

Applicant who wants to enter Canada who is not a permanent resident or Canadian citizen , or otherwise visa-exempt, needs a visitor visa. Canadian permanent residents are not permitted to apply for this visa, even if their permanent resident card has expired. They must instead apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, are also not permitted to apply for a this visa. They must be travelling on a valid Canadian passport. So, if you are transiting through or coming to Canada for business, you may need a business visitor visa.

First off, you need to find out whether you need a visa to travel to Canada. Depending on your travel document and the country that has issued the document, you may be exempted from a visa or Electronic travel Authorization or ETA.

If you are not exempted, you need to apply for visitor visa which is an official document which will be issued on your passport indicating the expiry date of your visa.

Usually They allow you to stay up to 6 months or you will get a stamp with a date on which you need to leave Canada.

The requirement to apply for a visitor visa in Canada

Valid travel document / passport
Good health condition
No criminal or immigration-related convictions – including criminal activity, human right violation, or organized crime.
Financial support or sufficient fund to stay and cover you expenses during your visit
Biometric in a VAC centre
You may need an invitation letter if you are planning to visit a friend or family

Steps to apply for a visitor visa in Canada

Collecting and sending documents
Online Application
Payment on demand and biometric
Doing biometrics – taking photos and fingerprints at the VAC
Send passport after acceptance to get visa

Required documents for application

Copy of passport (current and previous) of the applicant and companions with at least 6 months validity
Digital photo of the applicant and companions
Official translation of marriage certificate and birth certificate
Certificate of employment or education
Completed visa application form, personal family information, and travel history
Financial documents, including letter of financial ability, bank statement, long-term deposit certificate
Real estate documents, shares or securities, car title deed
Signed invitation with full details of inviter and applicant
Providing hotel and accommodation reservations during the trip

Letter of invitation

Information for the person writing the letter of invitation

complete name,
date of birth,
address and telephone number,
your relationship to the person,
the purpose of the trip,
how long the person plans to stay in Canada,
where the person will stay, and how he or she will pay for things, and
when the person plans to leave Canada.

Travel history or travel history

Travel history means that you have traveled to other countries in the past (last 5 years) and returned to your country of residence before the visa expires.
In addition to the number and time of foreign trips, the type of visa and destination countries are also very important. Countries such as America, Schengen area, England, Japan, or Australia will have a positive effect on the officer.

Financial ability to obtain a Canadian visitor visa

The visa officer will check your financial ability to pay for travel and stay in Canada. Although there is no legally defined financial limit for a Canadian tourist visa, the case officer must be convinced that the applicant and companions will have enough cash to pay the necessary expenses in Canada. The duration of the trip, the type and place of residence, or the number of companions will be effective factors in the officer’s decision.
Also, due to high medical costs, it is recommended to consider the approximate cost of health insurance (around $200 per month). On average, it is recommended to budget about 2,000 Canadian dollars per month per person, excluding accommodation costs.

Visitor visa application fee

Application fee: $100
Biometric fee (fingerprint): $85

Important note:

If you have done biometrics at one of the VAC centers of the Canadian Embassy within the last 10 years, you will not need to pay for fingerprinting again. All fees are in Canadian dollars and must be paid online before scheduling an appointment.

Duration of Visitor visa issuance

The duration of review of each case and application for a Canadian visitor visa is different depending on the conditions of the applicants. The embassy has not announced a specific time frame for reviewing visa application files, but depending on your nationality and place of residence, you can see the approximate duration of visa review and issuance. The best reliable source for predicting the duration of document review is the website of the Immigration Department.

Common reasons for visa rejection

Although many factors play a role in the approval or disapproval of a visitor visa, some of the common reasons for visa rejection are:

Inadequate travel records
Lack of family tie in the country of origin
Unconvincing travel plans or reasons
Unsuitable employment status in the country of origin or lack of employment
Insufficient financial ability of the applicant
Providing false information, having a criminal record or suspicion
Failure to complete the documents provided

How do you prove you will leave Canada at the end of your stay?

To obtain a Canadian temporary resident visa, it is very important to show your ties to the country of origin (country of citizenship or residence). This shows the immigration officer that you intend to return at the end of your stay and that you will likely return to your home country before your stay expires.

In general, you can use the following to prove this claim:

Travel history: shows that you have returned to your home country regularly.
Family members and close relatives: shows that you have strong family and social ties in your home country.
Property or Job: Shows that you have commitments in your home country that would encourage you to return.

The following documents can be useful to prove the mentioned items:

Letter of employment or leave from the employer: shows that you have a job in your country to which you will return.
Pay slip: shows that you have income in your country.
House or land title document: shows that you own property in your home country.
Documents related to financial investment: shows that you have invested in your country.
Documents related to trade or business: shows that you have an economic activity in your country.
Birth certificate or marriage certificate: shows that you have family in your country.
Tax payment papers: shows that you act as a responsible citizen in your country.
Insurance history of social
security organization: shows that you have social benefits in your country.

Note:

It is very important to provide strong and convincing evidence to prove the desire to return to the country of origin.
The stronger the documents you provide, the more likely you are to get a visa.
If you do not provide sufficient documents, your visa application may be rejected.

Canada visitor visa FAQs

Can I apply again after being rejected for a tourist visa?

Yes, you can reapply for a Canadian tourist visa immediately after your application is rejected. But before proceeding again, by sending additional documents in the new file, it is recommended to make sure that all the deficiencies and items of the previous file identified by the visa officer are eliminated.

If you apply with the same conditions as before, you will be rejected again.

What is a note officer and what is its importance?

You can find out about the details and the note that the officer left in your case by requesting the note officer of Canada. The note officer is very important in finding the main reasons for the rejection of your case. In addition to the list of all documents that have been registered and examined, this report also shows the steps of examining your case.

The note officer application form must be completed by a consultant or Canadian citizen with full details.

Can I convert a tourist visa to study or work after entering Canada?

Normally, you have to apply for a study or work visa from outside Canada. But the new public policy has made it possible for Iranians to apply for an open work permit or an open work visa from within Canada until February 28, 2025.

Is it important to have a Schengen visa to get a Canadian tourist visa?

Your travel history, especially in the last 5 years, is one of the most important factors in obtaining a Canadian tourist visa. Having a history of travel to European countries will significantly help to convince the visa officer that the purpose of your trip will be just to visit and you do not intend to stay in Canada.

How do I show my tie or family affiliation for a Canadian tourist visa?

You can show your dependencies such as strong family ties, decent job and income, business, real estate and assets to the visa officer by providing sufficient documents and documents. In general, Thai can be any type of economic, social or family dependency that compels you to return to your country of origin before the visa expires. Therefore, sending suitable and convincing documents will be very effective.

Do you need an immigration consultant to get a Canadian tourist visa?

The applicant is not required to have an immigration consultant for any type of visa. But an immigration consultant can make the decision-making process easier for the visa officer by preparing your visa application. Additionally, if your visa application is denied, a more detailed application will increase your chances of success in court.

If you decide to use the services of lawyers or consultants, you should definitely get help from lawyers or legal consultants so that they do not enter false information in the file because this can lead to the applicant being banned from entering the country for the next 5 years. Also, according to the order of the Immigration Department to use the services of legal immigration lawyers, any type of payment to centers without the approval of the Immigration Department and people without a Canadian legal license can lead to the rejection of the applicant’s case.

I have a passport of a European country. If I enter Canada with a European passport, can I use an Iranian passport to get a work permit in Canada?

So far, the new public policy has not announced any restrictions for Iranians residing in another country. As a result, you can apply for a work permit after entering Canada with an Iranian passport.

Is biometrics or fingerprinting only done in Turkey or can I do it in another country?

Fingerprinting is possible at any VAC center. If you are planning to travel to another country, you can find the nearest VAC center in the desired country at the time of your choice and make an appointment.

Visitor Visa in Canada