Overview
A Canada Visitor Visa — officially a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — is a sticker placed in your passport by IRCC that allows you to travel to Canada for tourism, business or family visits, usually for up to six months per visit. Most applicants apply entirely online, through a free IRCC account: you answer eligibility questions, receive a personalized document checklist, upload everything, pay online, then give biometrics if required. IRCC generally counts processing time from the day it receives your biometrics, not the day you submit the form.
Visa categories under this route
| Visitor visa — tourist | Standard tourism visits. |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa — business | Short business trips, meetings, conferences. |
| Visitor visa — family | Visiting family, including a spouse/partner sponsoring your permanent residence. |
| Super Visa | Longer stays for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens/PRs. |
| Transit visa | For travelers passing through a Canadian airport en route elsewhere. |
Documents checklist
- Valid passport
- Completed online application forms (generated per your IRCC account answers)
- Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications
- Proof of sufficient funds for your trip (bank statements, pay slips)
- Evidence of ties to your home country and a clear purpose for the visit
- Letter of invitation, if visiting family or for a specific business purpose
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a Visa Application Centre, if required
- Proof of a clean criminal record, if requested
Photo requirements
| Format | Digital upload as part of the IRCC Portal application, or a physical photo for paper applications |
|---|---|
| Background | Plain, light-colored background, no shadows |
| Expression | Neutral expression, both eyes open, no glasses glare |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Exact pixel/file-size specifications are generated for you by the IRCC Portal once you start your application — follow the on-screen requirements closely, as they're occasionally revised.
Step-by-step application process
1. Confirm you need a visitor visa (not just an eTA)
Check the official eligibility tool to see whether your nationality needs a full TRV or the simpler eTA.
2. Create or sign in to an IRCC Portal account
Answer the eligibility questionnaire — this generates your personalized document checklist.
3. Complete the application forms and upload documents
Fill in forms online and upload every document from your checklist.
4. Pay your fees online
Pay the application fee (and biometrics fee, if applicable) securely through the portal.
5. Give biometrics if required
Book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre for fingerprints and a photo. Biometrics are generally valid for 10 years for repeat visitors.
6. Wait for a decision
Processing time is counted from the day IRCC receives your biometrics. Track status through your online account.
Fees & processing time
| Processing time | Around 30 days on average from outside Canada (as of mid-2026), but varies by country and application volume — check IRCC's live processing-time tool |
|---|---|
| Biometrics validity | Generally valid for 10 years for visitor-visa applicants |
| Fee | Set by IRCC and shown at checkout in the portal; biometrics carries a separate fee |
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a visitor visa and an eTA?
An eTA is a lighter-weight electronic authorization for visa-exempt nationals flying to Canada. A visitor visa (TRV) is the full application required for nationals who aren't visa-exempt, or those arriving by land/sea without an eTA-eligible status.
Can I apply on paper instead of online?
A paper application is still possible in some circumstances, submitted at a Visa Application Centre, but the online IRCC Portal is the standard, faster route for almost everyone.
Does a visa guarantee entry?
No. A Canada Border Services Agency officer makes the final decision on entry and length of stay at the port of entry, even with a valid visa.
Sources reviewed: canada.ca (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — official IRCC Portal pages). Processing times and fees change regularly — always check the live IRCC tool before applying or booking travel.