A Canada tourist visa (visitor visa or TRV) lets you visit Canada for tourism, family or short business stays of up to six months.
Here’s how it works in 2026 — fees, processing times, documents and how to apply.
Canada Tourist Visa or eTA: Which Do You Need?
Canada uses two separate entry documents — a tourist visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Which one you need depends on your nationality and how you arrive. Travellers who already hold a valid Canadian visitor visa should use it.
Visa-required countries: India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain require a visitor visa before flying.
Citizens of the Philippines and Morocco may qualify for an eTA instead if they have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or hold a valid US non-immigrant visa — but only when flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport. Land or sea arrivals still require a visitor visa.
Visa-exempt countries: UK, most EU member states, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the UAE, and now Qatar (added on 25 November 2025) require an eTA when flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport. No eTA is needed for land or sea arrivals.
US citizens and lawful permanent residents: exempt from both. LPRs flying to Canada must carry a valid passport from their country of nationality, plus a valid green card. Entering by land or water directly from the US requires a green card and may not require a passport.
If you’re flying for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the same rules apply — Canada is not issuing a separate event visa, and match tickets do not replace visa requirements.
Types of Canadian Tourist Visa
IRCC visa officers decide on single- or multiple-entry status and the length of validity on a case-by-case basis. A visitor visa may be valid for up to 10 years, but it cannot be valid past the expiry of your passport or biometrics, whichever comes first. Each entry typically allows a stay of up to six months.
Single-entry visas may be issued at the officer’s discretion — for example, for a one-off visit such as an official Canadian government visit, or where country-specific procedures apply.
The Super Visa is a separate category for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows multiple entries over 10 years and stays of up to five years per visit, with a possible two-year extension from inside Canada.
Eligibility
To qualify for a visitor visa, IRCC requires you to satisfy several core criteria. The decision rests with a visa officer’s assessment of your overall application.
- Hold a valid passport or travel document
- Be in good health (a medical exam may be requested)
- Have no serious criminal or immigration violations
- Show strong ties to your home country — job, property, family, financial commitments
- Convince the officer you will leave Canada at the end of your authorised stay
- Prove you have enough funds for your trip and return travel
Required funds vary by trip length and accommodation. A two-week hotel stay needs noticeably more proof of funds than a two-week visit hosted by a relative.
Required Documents
Prepare these before starting the online application. Missing or weak documents are the most common cause of refusal.
- Valid passport or travel document (scan of the bio-page plus any pages with prior visas, stamps or markings)
- Recent passport-sized photo meeting IRCC photo specifications
- Proof of funds — typically the last six months of bank statements, salary slips or tax returns
- Proposed travel itinerary, including return or onward flights from Canada and hotel bookings (or hosting details). Tentative bookings are usually enough — you don’t need to pay in full before approval.
- Purpose-of-visit letter explaining your plans and ties at home
- Letter of invitation from your host in Canada (if visiting family or friends)
- Employment letter, leave approval or business documents (if self-employed)
- Travel history — copies of past visas, study or work permits
If a minor is travelling alone or with only one parent, IRCC and CBSA recommend a signed letter of authorisation from the non-accompanying parent or legal guardian (notarisation is not strictly required, but recommended). Custody, adoption or guardianship papers may also be needed where applicable.
Fees
IRCC charges a flat application fee plus a separate biometrics fee. Fees are paid in Canadian dollars during the online application.
| Fee Type | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa (single or multiple entry) | 100 per person |
| Biometrics — individual | 85 per person |
| Total per applicant | 185 |
| Family of 5 or more (visa fee cap) | 500 |
| Family biometrics cap (2 or more applying together) | 170 |
| Visitor record (extending stay from inside Canada) | 100 per person |
Biometrics are generally valid for 10 years. If you’ve given biometrics for a Canadian visa, study or work permit and they are still valid, you usually don’t need to give them or pay the fee again, though exceptions can apply. Always confirm current fees on the official IRCC fee list.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the IRCC secure portal. Paper applications are accepted only in narrow exceptions, such as accessibility needs.
Step 1: Create Your IRCC Account
Sign up for an IRCC secure account on the official Government of Canada visitor visa page. You’ll use it to upload documents, pay fees and track decisions.
Step 2: Complete the Application Forms
Complete the forms and questions generated by the IRCC Portal or your personalised checklist (this is normally based on form IMM 5257 and any supporting forms). Answer every question — leaving fields blank is a common refusal trigger.
Step 3: Upload Documents and Pay Fees
Upload scanned copies of your passport, photo, financial documents, itinerary and supporting letters. Pay the application fee plus biometrics fee using a credit card.
Step 4: Give Biometrics
If you applied online and paid the biometrics fee, your Biometric Instruction Letter typically appears in your IRCC account within 24 hours. Follow the deadline in your letter (usually within 30 days) to give your fingerprints and photo at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) — appointment availability varies by location.
Step 5: Submit Passport for Stamping
If approved, you’ll be asked to submit your passport to the VAC for visa stamping. Return times vary by country, VAC and courier service.
Processing Time
Processing times depend on where you apply from and the volume of applications IRCC is handling. They change frequently — always check the official IRCC processing-time tool on the day you apply. The figures below are illustrative examples only.
| Country | Approximate Wait (2026) |
|---|---|
| United States | Around 14 days |
| India | Around 88 days (6–10 weeks for many cases) |
| Philippines | 4–8 weeks |
| Pakistan | 8–12 weeks |
| Egypt | 6–10 weeks |
| Nigeria | Around 85 days |
| UAE / GCC offices | Highly variable; processing office assigned by IRCC |
Build in extra time for your biometrics appointment on top of the published wait, since VAC availability varies. As a general rule, apply as early as possible — high-volume markets such as India, Nigeria and the UAE often see longer waits.
For the most current wait time, use the IRCC processing-time tool on the day you apply.
Length of Stay, Validity and Extensions
The visa counterfoil (sticker) shows the validity period during which you may seek entry to Canada — it does not guarantee admission or set your length of stay. The actual length of stay is decided by the border officer at the port of entry — usually up to six months, sometimes shorter.
Look for a stamp or handwritten date in your passport. If there’s no date, the default authorised stay is six months from the day you entered.
To stay longer, apply for a Visitor Record at least 30 days before your status expires. The fee is CAD 100 and the application is filed online from inside Canada.
Common Reasons for Refusal
IRCC refuses visitor visas mainly when the officer is not satisfied you’ll leave at the end of your visit. Strengthen these areas before applying.
- Weak ties to home country — limited employment, no property, no family dependents
- Insufficient funds — bank balances that don’t match your trip plan
- Unclear travel purpose — vague itineraries, no return flights, missing host details
- Inconsistent travel history — overstays, refusals or visa violations elsewhere
- Incomplete documents — missing forms, unsigned letters, low-quality scans
- Misrepresentation — false statements or doctored documents (can trigger a five-year ban)
If refused, read the refusal letter carefully. You can re-apply with a stronger file, ask IRCC informally to reconsider, or seek legal advice about other remedies — including judicial review at the Federal Court of Canada — where appropriate.
Travelling to Canada from the GCC and India
Major source markets fly into Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Vancouver (YVR) and Calgary (YYC). Direct routes from major hubs to Toronto include Air Canada, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Air India and Saudia.
If you’re routing through the US, you may also need a valid US visa, ESTA or other authorisation depending on your nationality, immigration status and route — Canada and the US have separate entry requirements. A US visa alone does not authorise entry to Canada. US visa holders still need a Canadian visitor visa, although citizens of certain visa-required countries with a valid US nonimmigrant visa may qualify for an eTA when flying.
Compare fares on Wego flights to Canada and book hotels across Canada once your visa decision is in hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Canada tourist visa cost in 2026?
CAD 185 per applicant — CAD 100 for the visa plus CAD 85 for biometrics. Family caps of CAD 500 (visa) and CAD 170 (biometrics) may apply when applying together.
How long is a Canada tourist visa valid?
Most are issued as multiple-entry, valid up to 10 years or until your passport expires. Each visit allows up to six months in Canada.
Do I need to give biometrics every time I apply?
Usually no. Biometrics are generally valid for 10 years across most temporary residence applications, so within that window you usually don’t need to give them or pay the fee again — though exceptions can apply.
Can I work or study on a tourist visa?
A visitor visa does not authorise paid work. Most study in Canada requires a study permit, but a course or program of six months or less may be taken without a permit if it can be completed within your authorised stay in Canada.
What’s the difference between a tourist visa and a Super Visa?
A standard tourist visa allows up to six months per stay. A Super Visa, only for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or PRs, allows up to five years per stay.
Sources
- IRCC — Visitor visa (temporary resident visa)
- IRCC — Citizenship and immigration application fees
- IRCC — Check current processing times
- IRCC — Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): Who can apply
- IRCC — Super visa for parents and grandparents
- IRCC — Letter of invitation
- IRCC — Medical exams for visitors
- IRCC — Canada’s biometric requirement
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
