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Canada Visitor Visa

A Canadian visitor visa application should clearly show why you are travelling, how the trip will be funded and why your circumstances support a temporary stay. Argus can help you organize the application around the purpose of travel, financial evidence, home-country ties and immigration history.

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Overview

What is a Canada visitor visa?

A visitor visa, also called a temporary resident visa (TRV), is a document placed in a passport showing that the holder met the requirements to travel to Canada as a temporary resident at the time the visa was issued.

A visitor visa does not guarantee entry. A border services officer makes the final decision on admission and length of stay when the traveller arrives in Canada.

Eligibility

Basic visitor visa requirements

Applicants must meet Canada's temporary-resident requirements. IRCC may assess whether you:

  • have a valid travel document;
  • are in good health;
  • have no disqualifying criminal or immigration-related issues;
  • have sufficient funds for the visit;
  • have credible reasons and ties that support leaving Canada at the end of the authorized stay; and
  • are admissible to Canada.
Application strategy

Purpose of travel, funds and ties

Purpose of travel

The documents should make the reason for the trip understandable: family visit, tourism, business visit or another temporary purpose.

Financial support

The application should show who will pay for the trip and that the available funds are reasonable for the proposed stay.

Ties outside Canada

Employment, business ownership, studies, property, finances and family responsibilities may help demonstrate that the visit is temporary. The relevant evidence varies by applicant.

Travel history

Prior lawful travel can be useful context, but it is not a mandatory guarantee of approval.

Application process

How a visitor visa application works

  1. Confirm that a visitor visa is the correct travel document. Some travellers need an eTA instead.
  2. Define the purpose and duration of the visit.
  3. Prepare supporting evidence. This may include an invitation letter, itinerary, financial documents, employment evidence and travel history.
  4. Submit the application and pay the applicable fees.
  5. Complete biometrics or medical requirements if required.
  6. Submit the passport if IRCC requests it after approval.
Documents

Documents commonly used in a visitor visa application

  • passport and identity documents;
  • invitation letter for a family or personal visit where relevant;
  • travel itinerary or proposed trip details;
  • bank statements and income evidence;
  • employment, business or school documents;
  • evidence of property or other ties where relevant;
  • previous visas, entry stamps and travel records; and
  • documents explaining who will pay for the visit.

The most useful documents are those that directly support the facts and purpose described in the application.

Fees and processing

Visitor visa fees and processing times

IRCC visitor visa processing times vary by country and by the circumstances of the application. Biometrics time may be separate from the published processing estimate. Fees can also change.

Most visitors are normally admitted for up to 6 months, but the border officer can authorize a shorter or longer period.

Common issues

Common visitor visa refusal concerns

  • unclear or weak purpose of travel;
  • insufficient evidence that the trip is financially realistic;
  • limited evidence of ties outside Canada;
  • inconsistencies between forms and supporting documents;
  • unexplained immigration or travel history;
  • concerns that the applicant may not leave Canada at the end of the visit; and
  • inadmissibility issues.

A previous refusal should be reviewed carefully before simply submitting the same application again.

Professional support

How Argus can help with a visitor visa application

Argus can review the purpose of travel, financial support, ties, invitation documents and prior immigration history, identify weaknesses before submission, prepare or review the application and assist with a new application after a refusal where appropriate.

FAQs

Canada visitor visa FAQs

How long can I stay in Canada as a visitor?

Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months, but the border services officer can authorize a different period.

Does a visitor visa guarantee entry to Canada?

No. The visa allows you to travel to a Canadian port of entry. A border services officer decides whether you may enter and how long you may stay.

Do I need an invitation letter?

An invitation letter is useful or required in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee approval. The applicant must still satisfy the visa officer.

Can I apply again after a refusal?

Yes, but a new application should address the reasons and evidence issues that affected the previous decision.

Can I work in Canada on a visitor visa?

A visitor visa does not normally authorize work in Canada. Separate work authorization may be required.

Official information

Current government sources

Immigration rules can change. These pages were reviewed against current official sources on September 23, 2026:

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Every application depends on the individual facts. A consultation can help identify the program requirements, documents and issues that are most relevant to your situation.