Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
Visitor Visa – Who are Visitors?
Visitors are persons who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and are legally authorized (have Visitor Visa) to enter Canada to:
- visit Canada on holiday (vacation),
- visit family,
- conduct business, etc.
Visitors are restricted in length of stay and subject to various conditions.
What is a Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa)?
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also referred to as a visitor visa, is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (either as a visitor, a student, or a worker).
What are the requirements you must meet for a TRV?
You must show the officer that you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and that you will be in Canada for a temporary stay.
You must also:
- satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay,
- show that you have enough money to maintain yourself and your family members in Canada and to return home,
- not intend to work or study in Canada unless authorized to do so,
- be law abiding and have no record of criminal activity,
- not be a risk to the security of Canada,
- provide any additional document requested by the officer to establish your admissibility, and
- be in good health (complete a medical examination if required).
Can I work or study during my stay in Canada?
Visitors are not allowed to work or study in Canada unless they are authorized to do so under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. In many cases, a work or study permit will be required.
A temporary resident may also take a program of study up to six months duration without having to obtain a study permit.
How to apply?
Step 1. Gather documents
Use the Document Checklist [IMM 5484] (PDF, 1.12 MB) to assist you in gathering the required documents to submit your application.
You must include the following along with any document that is not in English or French:
- the English or French translation; and
- an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they are not a certified translator)
Step 2. Complete the application
Filling out the application
The following are the forms that must be filled out and submitted:
- Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257] (PDF, 0.56 MB)
- Family Information (IMM 5707 or IMM 5645)
- Document Checklist [IMM 5484] (PDF, 1.12 MB)
- Document Checklist – Applicants in Canada [IMM 5721] (PDF, 0.91 MB), if applicable
- Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 0.78 MB), if applicable
- Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 1.53 MB), if applicable
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual [IMM 5475] (PDF, 1.52 MB), if applicable
Step 3. Pay the fees
Fees
There are two types of fees:
- an application processing fee;
- a biometric fee.
Find out if you need to give biometrics.
Use the table below to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid (all fees are in Canadian dollars). The processing fees must be included with your application. If you or your family members are required to provide biometric information, the biometric fee should be paid at the same time and the same way as the processing fee in order to avoid delays in processing your application.
Note: You may be required to pay fees in local currency.
| Application | $CAN |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa (including super visa) – per personSingle or multiple entry temporary resident visa What’s this? | $100 |
| Visitor visa – per family (1 fee per family of 5 or more people)Single or multiple entry temporary resident visa What’s this?;maximum fee for a family of 5 or more people applying at the same time and place | $500 |
| Transit Visa | No fee |
| Biometrics fees | $CAN |
|---|---|
| Biometrics (per person) | 85 |
| Biometrics (per family) (2 or more people)Maximum fee for a family of 2 or more people applying at the same time and place | 170 |
Fees are subject to change at any time.
How to pay the fees for your application
To pay your fees for your application you’ll need:
- a valid email address;
- access to a printer (you’ll need to print the receipt), and
- a credit card, Debit MasterCard® or Visa® Debit card.
Visit the link below and follow these instructions to pay:
- Go to Online Payment.
Step 4. Submit the application
You may send your application to a Visa Application Center (VAC) that serves your area or apply online.
