Foreign nationals who wish to visit Canada may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also known as a visitor visa, or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on their country of citizenship. Visitor visa applications require demonstrating strong ties to the home country, sufficient funds, and a genuine intention to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay.
Program Streams
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
Required for nationals of visa-required countries. Can be issued as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, valid for up to 10 years or until passport expiry. Each entry is typically authorized for up to six months.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Required for visa-exempt foreign nationals (other than US citizens) travelling to Canada by air. Linked electronically to the passport and valid for five years or until passport expiry. Cost: CAD $7.
Super Visa
A multi-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or PRs, allowing stays of up to five years per entry (extendable to seven years). Requires proof of private medical insurance from a Canadian provider.
Key Facts
- Refusals are common when ties to the home country are not clearly demonstrated
- A well-prepared application with supporting documents significantly improves approval rates
- Previous refusals must be disclosed — failure to do so is misrepresentation
- Super Visa requires minimum $100,000 in Canadian medical insurance coverage
- Visitors can apply to extend their stay from within Canada before their status expires