Visit Canada · 2026 Guide

Canadian Visitor Visas:
Every way to visit Canada.

Whether you need a Temporary Resident Visa, an electronic Travel Authorization, a Super Visa to visit family, or a business visitor permit, we help travelers prepare strong applications. Expert guidance from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) based in Vancouver.

Free Assessment Processing Times
Experience
30+ years
Certification
RCIC R411151
Languages
English · Español
Based in
Vancouver, B.C.
Index
05 visas · 04 categories
01
Visitor Documents
Visitor Visa (TRV) · electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
02
Business & Short-Term
Business Visitor Permit
03
Extended Family Visits
Super Visa for parents and grandparents
04
Stay Management
Visitor Record · extending your stay
Visit Canada

Five visitor pathways · the right one depends on your nationality

Whether you need a visa, an eTA, or qualify for a longer stay through the Super Visa is determined by your country of citizenship and what brings you to Canada. Hover or tap any card to see the details.

How we work

From consultation to approved visit

01

Eligibility check

We assess your purpose of visit, ties to your home country, and travel history to identify the right stream and flag any prior refusals or admissibility concerns.

02

Strategy & evidence

We build a tailored case with financial proof, travel itinerary, invitation letters, and a strong letter of explanation that addresses every officer concern in advance.

03

Submission to IRCC

We file the complete application through the official IRCC portal, coordinate biometrics if required, and manage every communication with the visa office on your behalf.

04

Decision & travel

We respond to any IRCC requests, brief you for entry at the Canadian border, and support extensions or status changes once you arrive in Canada.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Canada

The standard maximum is six months, but this is not automatic. CBSA officers determine your specific permitted stay when you arrive, based on your documentation and the purpose of your visit. They may authorize a shorter period if your return ticket, intentions, or financial proof suggest a brief visit. Your stamp or electronic record shows your authorized departure date. Maintaining valid status simply means leaving Canada on or before that date. Overstaying creates serious complications for any future visa, work permit, or permanent residence application.

An eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is a digital travel permission for citizens of visa-exempt countries flying to Canada. It costs $7 CAD, is processed within minutes in most cases, and remains valid for five years or until your passport expires. It's required only when arriving by air; visa-exempt nationals entering Canada by land or sea do not need one. If your country requires a visa, you cannot use an eTA, you must apply for a visitor visa instead. Full eTA enforcement at airline check-in resumed in February 2026.

The main difference is your country of citizenship, not your choice. A visitor visa, also called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV, is required for citizens of visa-required countries like India, Mexico, Brazil, China, the Philippines, and most African nations. It costs $100 CAD and processing takes 14 to 90 days depending on the visa office, with some countries reaching 80 days or more. An eTA is only available to citizens of visa-exempt countries such as the US, UK, EU, Japan, Australia, and South Korea.

Yes, but processing times are unusually long right now. Apply for a Visitor Record extension through IRCC at least 30 days before your authorized stay expires. As of April 2026, IRCC is reporting roughly 315 days to process Visitor Record applications due to a significant backlog. The good news is that if you apply before your status expires, you remain legally in Canada under "implied status" while waiting for the decision. The application costs $100 CAD and is filed using form IMM 5708.

The Super Visa is a long-term, multiple-entry visitor visa exclusively for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows stays of up to five years per visit and remains valid for up to ten years. Since March 31, 2026, applicants must show their host meets a Minimum Necessary Income of LICO plus 30%, assessed across either of the two preceding tax years, with the option to combine income with the visiting parent. Private medical insurance of at least $100,000 from a Canadian or OSFI-approved insurer is required.

No. Visitor status, whether through a TRV, eTA, or Super Visa, does not authorize employment in Canada. You also cannot enroll in a study program longer than six months. If you want to work, you need a work permit; if you want to study a longer program, you need a study permit. You can apply for either while in Canada as a visitor, but you must continue to maintain valid visitor status throughout the application. Restoration of status is possible if your visitor status expires during processing.

It depends on which visa you're applying for. Standard visitor visas and eTAs do not require medical insurance, although it is strongly recommended since provincial health plans don't cover visitors and emergency care can be very expensive. Super Visas, however, require it: applicants must show proof of paid private health insurance of at least $100,000 in coverage, valid for at least one year from the date of entry, covering healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation. The policy must be issued by a Canadian insurer or an OSFI-approved foreign insurer.

Visit Canada

Your visit to Canada deserves a strong application.

Book a free assessment with a licensed RCIC. We'll review your travel purpose, ties to home country, and prepare a TRV application built to be approved.

Free Assessment
30+years RCIC R411151 English · Español Vancouver, B.C.