Temporary Resident Visa - Visitor Visa

A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document that we put in your passport. It shows that you meet the requirements needed to travel to Canada. A visa officer has discretion to issue you a single-entry visa or multiple entry visa, and decide how long it will be valid for. Generally, a visitor visa may be valid for up to a maximum of 10 years, or until the expiry of either your passport or biometrics, whichever comes first.

The entry document you need depends on: * the type of travel document you plan to travel with * the country that issued your travel document * your nationality * how you’ll travel to Canada for this trip

A valid visa and travel document don’t guarantee that you can enter Canada.

Why are you applying for a visitor visa? * To visit as a tourist * To visit for business * To visit your spouse or partner who has sponsored you for permanent residence * For a family visit What is your family member’s status in Canada? * Canadian citizen * Person registered under Canada’s Indian Act * Canadian permanent resident * Temporary resident in Canada * For compassionate reasons * To join a vessel as a marine crew member (known as a “seafarer”) * None of the above

To apply for a visitor visa to visit Canada on business, you need to qualify as a business visitor . To qualify, you must show that * you plan to stay for less than 6 months * you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market * your main place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada

The reason you’re travelling to Canada determines the way you apply and the documents you need to submit with your visa application. Follow the steps below to apply for your specific situation.

A visa officer has discretion to issue you a single-entry visa or multiple entry visa, and decide how long it will be valid for. Generally, a visitor visa may be valid for up to a maximum of 10 years, or until the expiry of either your passport or biometrics, whichever comes first.

Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. At the port of entry, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If that’s the case, they’ll put the date you need to leave by in your passport. They might also give you a document, called a visitor record†ircc.canada.ca , which will show the date you need to leave by. If you do not get a stamp in your passport, you can stay for 6 months from the day you entered Canada or until the expiry of your biometrics or your passport expires, whichever comes first. Super visa holders who enter Canada after June 22, 2023 can stay for 5 years. If you need a stamp, you can ask a border services officer for one. If you arrive at an airport that uses primary inspection kiosks†www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca , you may ask the border services officer for a stamp after you finish at the kiosk.

(2) Subject to subsections (3) to (5), the period authorized for the stay of a temporary resident is six months or any other period that is fixed by an officer on the basis of * (a) the temporary resident’s means of support in Canada; * (b) the period for which the temporary resident applies to stay; and * (c) the expiry of the temporary resident’s passport or other travel document.

(4) The period authorized for a temporary resident’s stay ends on the earliest of * (a) the day on which the temporary resident leaves Canada without obtaining prior authorization to re-enter Canada; * (b) the day on which their permit becomes invalid, in the case of a temporary resident who has been issued either a work permit or a study permit; * (b.1) the day on which the second of their permits becomes invalid, in the case of a temporary resident who has been issued a work permit and a study permit; * (c) the day on which any temporary resident permit issued to the temporary resident is no longer valid under section 63; * (c.1) in the case of a person who is required by section 10.01 of the Act to provide their biometric information, the day on which the period of 10 years following the latest day on which the person provided their biometric information under section 10.01 of the Act ends; or * (d) the day on which the period authorized under subsection (2) ends, if paragraphs (a) to (c) do not apply.

(5), the period authorized for the stay of a temporary resident is six months or any other period that is fixed by an officer on the basis of * (a) the temporary resident’s means of support in Canada; * (b) the period for which the temporary resident applies to stay; and * (c) the expiry of the temporary resident’s passport or other travel document. * Marginal note:Authorized period begins (3) The period authorized for the stay of a temporary resident begins on * (a) if they are authorized to enter and remain in Canada on a temporary basis, the day on which they first enter Canada after they are so authorized; * (a.1) if they have become a temporary resident in accordance with subsection 46(1.1) of the Act, the day on which their application to renounce their permanent resident status is approved; and * (b) in any other case, the day on which they enter Canada. * Marginal note:Authorized period ends (4) The period authorized for a temporary resident’s stay ends on the earliest of * (a) the day on which the temporary resident leaves Canada without obtaining prior authorization to re-enter Canada; * (b) the day on which their permit becomes invalid, in the case of a temporary resident who has been issued either a work permit or a study permit; * (b.1) the day on which the second of their permits becomes invalid, in the case of a temporary resident who has been issued a work permit and a study permit; * (c) the day on which any temporary resident permit issued to the temporary resident is no longer valid under section 63; * (c.1) in the case of a person who is required by section 10.01 of the Act to provide their biometric information, the day on which the period of 10 years following the latest day on which the person provided their biometric information under section 10.01 of the Act ends; or * (d) the day on which the period authorized under subsection (2) ends, if paragraphs (a) to (c) do not apply. * Marginal note:Extension of period authorized for stay (5) Subject to subsection (5.1), if a temporary resident has applied for an extension of the period authorized for their stay and a decision is not made on the application by the end of the period authorized for their stay, the period is extended until * (a) the day on which a decision is made, if the application is refused; or * (b) the end of the new period authorized for their stay, if the application is allowed. * Marginal note:Non-application (5.1) Subsection (5) does not apply in respect of a foreign national who is the subject of a declaration made under subsection 22.1(1) of the Act. * Marginal note:Continuation of status and conditions (6) If the period authorized for the stay of a temporary resident is extended by operation of paragraph (5)(a) or extended under paragraph (5)(b), the temporary resident retains their status, subject to any other conditions imposed, during the extended period.

You must meet some basic requirements to get a visitor visa. You must: * have a valid travel document , like a passport * be in good health * have no criminal or immigration-related convictions * convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country * convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit * have enough money for your stay * The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives. You may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.

You may need to show * a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and * other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not

If you got a letter from a person or company that invited you to Canada, bring that letter with you. A border services officer may ask to see it.

We may also ask you to * go to an interview with our officials in your country * send more information * get a medical exam * get a police certificate We’ll tell you what to do if you need to do any of these.

## What measures are in place for Ebola The following temporary measures are in place: * We’re temporarily suspending the immigration documents of foreign nationals who listed one of the affected countries as the last country of residence in their immigration application. * This means they can’t travel to Canada right now, even with a previously approved visa, permit or electronic travel authorization. * We’ll continue processing new and existing applications from those affected by these measures, but we won’t finalize any applications at this time. Once the measures end or are repealed, valid documents will no longer be suspended and we’ll begin making final decisions on applications again. As of July 20, 2026, foreign nationals cannot board a flight to Canada if they’ve been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for any period of time, within the past 21 days. Find out more about these measures

These measures are being applied based on the last country of residence in your application, not your citizenship.

Extended until September 28, 2026 Although the risk to Canada is low, to reduce the chances of Ebola entering Canada, we put temporary measures in place for foreign nationals living in * the Democratic Republic of the Congo * South Sudan * Uganda These measures are in place as of 23:59:59 ET on May 27, 2026, and will end at 23:59:59 ET on September 28, 2026.

You can use the IRCC Portal to apply for a visitor visa.

You must apply online. However, you can apply on paper if either * you can’t apply online, including for reasons of a disability, or * you’re travelling with an identity or travel document that was issued to a refugee, a stateless person or a non-citizen

### Visitor visa (including super visa) or extend your stay in Canada Fees | $CAN --- | --- Visitor visa - per person Single or multiple entry temporary resident visa ^{What's this? } ## Single or multiple entry temporary resident visa The same fee applies to both types of visas. We’ll decide which visa to give you based on your application.Find out more about the difference between single and multiple entry visas . | 100.00 Visitor visa – per family (1 fee per family of 5 or more people)Single or multiple entry temporary resident visa ^{What’s this? }; maximum fee for a family of 5 or more people applying at the same time and place | 500.00 Extend your stay as a visitor – per person | 100.00

You’ll get a letter in your IRCC account with instructions to submit your passport. You can’t travel to Canada until we put the visa in the passport you submit to us.

You must apply for a visitor record before your current status expires.

If you want to extend your stay as a visitor or change your status (from international student or worker to visitor, for example), you should apply at least 30 days before your current status expires.