Temporary Resident Visa for Canada
Call us at 1-866-760-2623 / (+1) 416-962-2623 or email us at [email protected]
Index
Getting a visa to visit Canada
Citizens of most countries who are not permanent residents of Canada require a visa to visit Canada even for a short time, as well as to transit (layover / change planes) inside Canada. If you fall into this category you must apply for a visa prior to your arrival in Canada or you will not be allowed to enter the country – this visa cannot be obtained upon arrival in Canada. If you are exempt from a visa, you still need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
If you want to visit Canada on holiday, visit relatives, conduct business, or travel to Canada for any other reason you must apply for what is called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). This document is issued at the Canadian embassy nearest you and is placed in your passport before you travel. This visa shows the border officer that you have met the requirements to be a temporary resident of Canada as a visitor, student, or worker.
If you have a criminal record or some other issue that may cause you to be inadmissible to Canada, you may need to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) to enter Canada.
Please note that you are not guaranteed entry into Canada even if you have been granted a visa – your entry into Canada is determined by the official at the port of entry.
How we can help you visit Canada
To discuss how you can get a visa to visit Canada, contact us for a consultation. We can determine whether or not you are eligible to apply for a visitor visa as well as advise you how you can prove you meet the requirements. Certain supporting documents are frequently used to demonstrate to the immigration officer that you should be granted a visa.
Immigroup will assist you throughout the entire application process from start to finish, including:
- Determining whether or not you are eligible to apply;
- Determining the likelihood of success for your visa application;
- Ensuring your forms or online application are complete and accurately reflect the details of your situation for maximum chance of success;
- Ensuring you have the necessary and appropriate documents to support your vis application and prove that you are not trying to immigrate to Canada;
- Providing guidance on how best to submit your application to the the right visa office or VAC, depending on your circumstances and location;
- Advising you of the rights and privileges a temporary resident permit affords you as well as what you can't do;
- Offering Top Priority service for extremely urgent cases, such as a death in the family;
- Determining the best way to proceed once the outcome of your application is reached (applying for permanent residence, renewing the visitor visa, re-application if necessary, etc.)
Contact us for a consultation to assist you with a visitor visa application.
Processing Times for Canadian Visitor Visas
If your temporary resident visa application will be submitted from outside Canada, the processing time for your visa application depends on the location of the office where you submit the application.
Processing times can range between 3 to 140 days on average, depending upon location and time of year though many visa offices process their applications in under one month’s time. For a complete list of visa offices and processing times, please refer to the following table.
Application timelines below are based on the processing time for a complete application. All timelines are averages and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that your application will be processed within the average length of time as approval is at the officer’s discretion.
If your application was submitted within Canada, the average processing time is 7-11 days.
Processing Time by Country of Residence as of November 2016
If you are a citizen of a country or territory marked in green, you do not normally need a visa, but need an eTA if entering Canada by air. (American citizens are normally exempt from both requirements.)
Country | Processing Time (Days) |
Country | Processing Time (Days) |
Country | Processing Time (Days) |
Country | Processing Time (Days) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | 54 | Djibouti | 6 | Lithuania | 18 | Senegal | 13 |
Albania | 7 | Dominica | 7 | Luxembourg | 18 | Serbia | 6 |
Algeria | 8 | Dominican Republic | 8 | Macao | 6 | Seychelles | 18 |
Andorra | 18 | Ecuador | 17 | Macedonia | N/A | Sierra Leone | 81 |
Angola | 31 | Egypt | 16 | Madagascar | 25 | Singapore | 20 |
Anguilla | N/A | El Salvador | 9 | Malawi | 30 | Slovakia | 18 |
Antigua and Barbuda | 18 | Equatorial Guinea | 18 | Malaysia | 19 | Slovenia | 18 |
Argentina | 4 | Eritrea | 71 | Maldives | 18 | Solomon Islands | N/A |
Armenia | 8 | Estonia | 18 | Mali | 14 | Somalia | 18 |
Aruba | 18 | Ethiopia | 7 | Malta | 18 | South Africa | 22 |
Australia | 16 | Fiji | 23 | Marshall Islands | N/A | South Korea | 25 |
Austria | 13 | Finland | 29 | Martinique | 18 | South Sudan | 18 |
Azerbaijan | 7 | France | 13 | Mauritania | 17 | Spain | 16 |
Bahamas | 18 | Gabon | 15 | Mauritius | 25 | Sri Lanka | 30 |
Bahrain | 101 | Gambia | 13 | Mexico | 6 | St. Kitts and Nevis | 11 |
Bangladesh | 18 | Georgia | 7 | Micronesia | 18 | St. Lucia | 11 |
Barbados | 10 | Germany | 7 | Moldova | 11 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 9 |
Belarus | 8 | Ghana | 80 | Monaco | 18 | Sudan | 102 |
Belgium | 14 | Greece | 8 | Mongolia | 8 | Suriname | 11 |
Belize | 4 | Grenada | 8 | Montenegro | 6 | Swaziland | 18 |
Benin | 119 | Guatemala | 8 | Morocco | 17 | Sweden | 25 |
Bermuda | 31 | Guinea | 14 | Mozambique | 31 | Switzerland | 19 |
Bhutan | 18 | Guinea-Bissau | 18 | Namibia | 20 | Syria | 100 |
Bolivia | 7 | Guyana | 10 | Nauru | N/A | Tahiti | N/A |
Bonaire | N/A | Haiti | 61 | Nepal | 28 | Taiwan | 8 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 21 | Holy See (Vatican City) | N/A | Netherlands | 6 | Tajikistan | 17 |
Botswana | 25 | Honduras | 11 | New Caledonia | 18 | Tanzania | 8 |
Brazil | 12 | Hong Kong | 7 | New Zealand | 19 | Thailand | 12 |
British Virgin Islands | N/A | Hungary | 18 | Nicaragua | 12 | Timor-Leste | 18 |
Brunei | 18 | Iceland | 18 | Niger | 20 | Togo | 92 |
Bulgaria | 5 | India | 27 | Nigeria | 96 | Tonga | N/A |
Burkina Faso | 14 | Indonesia | 4 | North Korea | 18 | Trinidad and Tobago | 7 |
Burma (Myanmar) | 31 | Iran | 55 | Norway | 28 | Tunisia | 10 |
Burundi | 10 | Iraq | 79 | Oman | 35 | Turkey | 4 |
Cambodia | 21 | Ireland | 30 | Pakistan | 35 | Turkmenistan | 18 |
Cameroon | 15 | Israel | 5 | Palestinian Authority (Gaza) | 114 | Turks and Caicos | 44 |
Cape Verde | 18 | Italy | 6 | Palestiniana Authority (West Bank) | 114 | Tuvalu | N/A |
Cayman Islands | 28 | Jamaica | 33 | Panama | 7 | Uganda | 12 |
Central African Republic | 18 | Japan | 22 | Papua New Guinea | 18 | Ukraine | 6 |
Chad | 14 | Jordan | 13 | Paraguay | 4 | United Arab Emirates | 30 |
Chile | 5 | Kazakhstan | 7 | Peru | 6 | United Kingdom | 15 |
China | 11 | Kenya | 5 | Philippines | 20 | United States of America | 20 |
Colombia | 18 | Kiribati | N/A | Poland | 6 | Uruguay | 4 |
Comoros | 18 | Kosovo | 7 | Portugal | 10 | US Virgin Islands | N/A |
Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 27 | Kuwait | 31 | Puerto Rico | 18 | Uzbekistan | 8 |
Congo, Republic of the | 15 | Kyrgyzstan | 8 | Qatar | 88 | Vanuatu | 18 |
Costa Rica | 10 | Laos | 21 | Romania | 6 | Venezuela | 9 |
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | 14 | Latvia | 18 | Russsia | 9 | Vietnam | 32 |
Croatia | 18 | Lebanon | 53 | Rwanda | 11 | Yemen | 18 |
Cuba | 8 | Lesotho | 18 | Samoa | N/A | Zambia | 19 |
Cyprus | 15 | Liberia | 92 | San Marino | N/A | Zimbabwe | 32 |
Czech Republic | 13 | Libya | 100 | Sao Tome and Principe | 18 | ||
Denmark | 28 | Liechtenstein | N/A | Saudi Arabia | 11 |
Costs of Canadian Visitor Visas
Visitor Visa Legal Fees
Our fees for temporary visitor visa applications are determined on a case-by-case basis, but Immigroup service fees usually range from around $750 for the simplest visitor visa application to around $2000 for extremely complicated matters. Top Priority service for clients who need to travel to Canada urgently carries additional costs. Please note that there is a minimum cancellation fee once work has begun on a file.
If you do not know where you stand, whether you are eligible to enter Canada, or how to proceed contact us for assistance.
Visitor Visa Government Fees
In addition to the legal fees paid to a consultant or lawyer to assist you with apply for a Canadian visitor visa, the applicant must also pay a fee to the Canadian government for filing their application, whether or not it's successful. Please see below:
- Temporary Resident Visa SINGLE ENTRY: $75 per person
- Temporary Resident Visa MULTIPLE ENTRY: $150 per person
- Temporary Resident Visa FAMILY: $400
- Transit Visa: no cost
Government application fees are subject to change at any time without notice and are not refundable from CIC regardless of whether or not the application is approved.
FAQs
Who Needs a Visa to Visit Canada?
Citizens of most countries in the world need a visa to enter Canada. This includes citizens of many countries in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. For a Complete list of countries whose citizens require a visa to enter or transit (change planes) in Canada, click here.
Citizens of certain countries are not required to have a visa to enter Canada as a visitor. These countries include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, many countries in Western Europe, Japan, and South Korea. For a complete list of countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Canada, click here.
What are the basic requirements for a TRV (Temporary Resident Visa / Visitor Visa)?
When visiting Canada, you must prove to the immigration officer that you do not intend to immigrate to Canada or stay in Canada permanently.
You must also show that you:
- will leave Canada at the end of your stay;
- will not work or study in Canada unless that is the purpose of your visa;
- have enough money to support yourself and accompanying family members while in Canada;
- have enough money to return home;
- are not a security risk to Canada;
- do not have a criminal record and are law abiding;
- are in good health.
You can be asked to provide any documentation pertaining to these and other requirements and you may be asked to complete a medical examination if necessary.
When you speak with Immigroup regarding a Visitor Visa to Canada, we will advise you which of these requirements you most need to stress that you meet given your background and circumstances. We will also tell you of any additional requirements that apply to your situation.
What are the requirements for Family Members accompanying you on a visitor visa?
For a TRV (Visitor Visa) application, ‘family members’ means your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent children, and their dependent children (your grandchildren).
‘Spouse’ means your partner with whom you have entered into a legal marriage.
‘Common-law Partner’ means your partner with whom you have been living for at least one year.
‘Dependent Children’ means your children or the children of your spouse or common-law partner who are
- 22 years old or younger and single, or
- financially dependent on you or your spouse since before 22 years old and still in school, or
- financially dependent since before 22 years old due to a medical condition.
Any of your family members who wish to visit Canada must file separate applications for a Visitor Visa (each family member will receive their own visa).
How long is a Visitor Visa valid?
The length of time you can stay in Canada depends on the officer reviewing your visa application as well as the officer granting you entry to Canada when you arrive. Either officer could limit the time you may stay in Canada. A visitor visa could be granted for as long as 2 years or as little as 1 week, although you may only stay in Canada for up to 6 months at a time.
If you do not require a visa to enter Canada, the border officer may still advise you that you may only stay for a certain amount of time such as 14 days. If they do not advise you of any length of time, you may stay for up to 6 months.
Overstaying a visitor visa can cause serious problems for you if you want to apply for immigrant status or even enter Canada temporarily in the future. You can even have problems gaining entry to other countries, such as the United States. If you are not sure how long you can stay in Canada once your visa is granted or once you arrive, contact us for a consultation. We will help you determine the best way for you to move forward.
What is a Super Visa?
In 2011 CIC stopped accepting parental sponsorship applications. However, CIC then began offering what’s called a Super Visa to people in this situation. So now parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Canada may be eligible to apply for a Super Visa.
The super visa allows you to stay in Canada for up to 2 years. Even if you would not normally need a visa to visit Canada, you would still need to apply for the super visa if you wish to stay longer than the standard 6 month timeframe.
Please note: Dependent children may not be included in an application for a super visa.
How do I get a super visa?
The requirements for the super visa are a little different than the regular visa. These include:
- Evidence of your parental or grandparental relationship to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- An invitation letter from your child or grandchild;
- Proof that your child or grandchild can support you and their family while you are in Canada (Your child or grandchild must meet the what’s called the Low Income Cut Off – LICO); Proof of medical insurance.
If you’re thinking of applying for a super visa, you can contact Immigroup for a consultation. We will help you determine your likelihood of success and we will detail the application procedure and types of evidence needed to support your case.
What is the Low Income Cutt Off (LICO) for Super Visas?
The LICO is the amount of money your child or grandchild needs to be making satisfy Citizenship and Immigration Canada that he or she can afford to support you (and your spouse) on a super visa. Unfortunately, the current income ammounts are not publicly available at this time. Contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada to find out the ammounts.
What happens if I overstayed on my Canadian Visitor Visa?
If you have stayed longer than the amount of time your visa was valid for, or that the length of time a border officer advised you that you may stay in Canada, this is an issue that could cause problems for your travel plans in the future.
You could be denied entry to Canada if you try to come again in the future, or even denied entry to other countries, such as the United States.
But, there is a solution. If you’ve overstayed your visa, it may be possible to restore your status and minimize any problems you may have. Contact us for a consultation to determine the best way to help you move forward.
Who needs a Visa to Come to Canada?
Citizens of the following countries normally require a visa to visit Canada for any purpose:
Afghanistan | Burundi | El Salvador | Israel* | Malawi | Nigeria | Somalia | Turkmenistan |
Albania | Cambodia | Equatorial Guinea | Ivory Coast | Malaysia | Oman | South Africa | Tuvalu |
Algeria | Cameroon | Eritrea | Jamaica | Maldives | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Uganda |
Angola | Cape Verde | Ethiopia | Jordan | Mali | Palau | St. Lucia | Ukraine |
Argentina | Central African Republic | Fiji | Kazakhstan | Marshall Islands | Palestinian Authority | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | United Arab Emirates |
Armenia | Chad | Gabon | Kenya | Mauritania | Panama | Sudan | Uruguay |
Azerbaijan | Chile | Gambia | Kiribati | Mauritius | Paraguay | Sudan, South | Uzbekistan |
Bahrain | China | Georgia | Korea, North | Mexico | Peru | Suriname | Vanuatu |
Bangladesh | Colombia | Ghana | Kosovo | Micronesia | Philippines | Swaziland | Venezuela |
Belarus | Comoros | Grenada | Kuwait | Moldova | Poland^ | Syria | Vietnam |
Belize | Congo, Democratic Republic of (DRC) | Guatemala | Kyrgyzstan | Mongolia | Qatar | Taiwan# | Yemen |
Benin | Congo, Republic of | Guinea | Laos | Montenegro | Romania | Tajikistan | Zambia |
Bhutan | Costa Rica | Guinea-Bissau | Lebanon | Morocco | Russia | Tanzania | Zimbabwe |
Bolivia | Cuba | Guyana | Lesotho | Mozambique | Rwanda | Thailand | |
Bosnia Herzegovina | Czech Republic | Haiti | Liberia | Namibia | Sao Tome e Principe | Timor l'este | |
Botswana | Djibouti | Honduras | Libya | Namibia | Saudi Arabia | Togo | |
Brazil | Dominica | India | Lithuania^ | Nauru | Senegal | Tonga | |
Bulgaria | Dominican Republic | Indonesia | Macao | Nepal | Serbia | Trinidad and Tobago | |
Burkina Faso | Ecuador | Iran | Macedonia | Nicaragua | Seychelles | Tunisia | |
Burma (Myanmar) | Egypt | Iraq | Madagascar | Niger | Sierra Leone | Turkey |
*Holders of valid Israeli Travel Document in Lieu of Passport only
^Holders of non-biometric passports only
#Only those whose passport does not contain their personal identification number
Who doesn't need a Visa to Come to Canada?
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visitor visa to visit Canada, provided they are carrying valid, correct travel documents. However, they need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). (American citizens are exempt from this requirement.)
Andorra | Croatia | Holy See (Vatican City)# | Korea, South | New Zealand | Slovakia | United Kingdom and all british overeas territories## |
Antigua and Barbuda | Cyprus | Hong Kong | Latvia | Norway | Slovenia | United States of America^^ |
Australia | Denmark | Hungary | Liechtenstein | Papua New Guinea | Solomon Islands | |
Austria | Estonia | Iceland | Lithuania^ | Poland^ | Spain | |
Bahamas | Finland | Ireland | Luxembourg | Portugal | St. Kitts and Nevis | |
Barbados | France | Israel | Malta | Samoa | Sweden | |
Belgium | Germany | Italy | Monaco | San Marino | Switzerland | |
Brunei | Greece | Japan | Netherlands | Singapore | Taiwan* |
#Includes holders of passports issued by the Holy See that are not citizens of Vatican City
*Passport must include personal identification number
Includes citizens of the following territories:
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn
- St. Helena
- Turks and Caicos
And it also applies to
- British overseas citizens
- Citizens of British Overseas Territories not listed above
- British Nationals (Overseas)
- British Subjects - provided the passport notes the "Right of Abode"
^^Includes permanent residents provided they can show their green card and proof of permanent residence
Processing Times by visa office for Canadian visitor visas
Your location | Average Processing Time (as of April 2016) |
---|---|
Afghanistan | 111 days |
Albania | 13 days |
Algeria | 12 days |
Andorra | 15 days |
Angola | 30 days |
Anguilla | 15 days |
Antigua and Barbuda | 15 days |
Argentina | 5 days |
Armenia | 5 days |
Aruba | 15 days |
Australia | 22 days |
Austria | 10 days |
Azerbaijan | 6 days |
Bahamas | 33 days |
Bahrain | 19 days |
Bangladesh | 19 days |
Barbados | 15 days |
Belarus | 5 days |
Belgium | 12 days |
Belize | 8 days |
Benin | 60 days |
Bermuda | 21 days |
Bhutan | 15 days |
Bolivia | 8 days |
Bonaire | No average available |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 12 days |
Botswana | 29 days |
Brazil | 17 days |
British Virgin Islands | No average available |
Brunei | 15 days |
Bulgaria | 8 days |
Burkina Faso | 15 days |
Burma (Myanmar) | 19 days |
Burundi | 22 days |
Cambodia | 19 days |
Cameroon | 16 days |
Cape Verde | 15 days |
Cayman Islands | 38 days |
Central African Republic | 15 days |
Chad | 12 days |
Chile | 11 days |
China | 12 days |
Colombia | 13 days |
Comoros | 15 days |
Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 18 days |
Congo, Republic of | 13 days |
Costa Rica | 13 days |
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | 16 days |
Croatia | 15 days |
Cuba | 8 days |
Cyprus | 15 days |
Czech Republic | 15 days |
Denmark | 10 days |
Djibouti | 15 days |
Dominica | 12 days |
Dominican Republic | 8 days |
Ecuador | 12 days |
Egypt | 9 days |
El Salvador | 17 days |
Equatorial Guinea | 15 days |
Eritrea | 46 days |
Estonia | 15 days |
Ethiopia | 13 days |
Fiji | 29 days |
Finland | 15 days |
France | 12 days |
Gabon | 13 days |
Gambia | 15 days |
Georgia | 8 days |
Germany | 12 days |
Ghana | 21 days |
Greece | 15 days |
Grenada | 13 days |
Guatemala | 15 days |
Guinea | 16 days |
Guinea-Bissau | 15 days |
Guyana | 12 days |
Haiti | 22 days |
Holy See (Vatican City) | No average available |
Honduras | 16 days |
Hong Kong | 7 days |
Hungary | 15 days |
Iceland | 15 days |
India | 19 days |
Indonesia | 4 days |
Iran | 31 days |
Ireland | 12 days |
Israel | 8 days |
Italy | 11 days |
Jamaica | 40 days |
Japan | 14 days |
Jordan | 33 days |
Kazakhstan | 7 days |
Kenya | 11 days |
Kiribati | 15 days |
North Korea | No average available |
South Korea | 16 days |
Kosovo | 14 days |
Kuwait | 18 days |
Kyrgyzstan | 6 days |
Laos | 24 days |
Latvia | 15 days |
Lebanon | 21 days |
Lesotho | 15 days |
Liberia | 15 days |
Libya | 24 days |
Liechtenstein | No available average |
Lithuania | 15 days |
Luxembourg | 15 days |
Macao | 7 days |
Macedonia | No average available |
Madagascar | 30 days |
Malawi | 15 days |
Malaysia | 16 days |
Maldives | 15 days |
Mali | 16 days |
Malta | 15 days |
Marshall Islands | No available average |
Martinique | No average available |
Mauritania | 17 days |
Mauritius | 23 days |
Mexico | 5 days |
Micronesia | 15 days |
Moldova | 13 days |
Monaco | 15 days |
Mongolia | 8 days |
Montenegro | 13 days |
Morocco | 13 days |
Mozambique | 31 days |
Namibia | 23 days |
Nauru | No average available |
Nepal | 21 days |
Netherlands | 10 days |
New Caledonia | No available average |
New Zealand | 22 days |
Nicaragua | 18 days |
Niger | 17 days |
Nigeria | 67 days |
Norway | 20 days |
Oman | 19 days |
Pakistan | 46 days |
Palestinian Authority (Gaza) | 44 days |
Palestinian Authority (West Bank) | 44 days |
Panama | 12 days |
Papua New Guinea | 15 days |
Paraguay | 5 days |
Peru | 6 days |
Philippines | 12 days |
Poland | 6 days |
Portugal | 15 days |
Puerto Rico | 15 days |
Qatar | 19 days |
Romania | 9 days |
Russia | 7 days |
Rwanda | 21 days |
Samoa | No average available |
San Marino | No available average |
Sao Tome and Principe | 15 days |
Saudi Arabia | 15 days |
Senegal | 13 days |
Serbia | 11 days |
Seychelles | 15 days |
Sierra Leone | 15 days |
Singapore | 20 days |
Slovakia | 15 days |
Slovenia | 15 days |
Solomon Islands | No average available |
Somalia | 15 days |
South Africa | 25 days |
Spain | 12 days |
Sri Lanka | 25 days |
St. Kitts and Nevis | 18 days |
St. Lucia | 11 days |
St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 12 days |
Sudan | 27 days |
South Sudan | 15 days |
Suriname | 9 days |
Swaziland | 15 days |
Switzerland | 13 days |
Syria | 29 days |
Tahiti | 15 days |
Taiwan | 7 days |
Tajikistan | 13 days |
Tanzania | 11 days |
Thailand | 12 days |
Timor-Leste (Timor oriental) | 15 days |
Togo | 21 days |
Tonga | No available average |
Trinidad and Tobago | 9 days |
Tunisia | 7 days |
Turkey | 4 days |
Turkmenistan | 15 days |
Turks and Caicos | 15 days |
Tuvalu | No average available |
Uganda | 12 days |
Ukraine | 5 days |
United Arab Emirates | 19 days |
United Kingdom | 6 days |
United States of America | 13 days |
Uruguay | 6 days |
US Virgin Islands | No available average |
Uzbekistan | 11 days |
Vanuatu | 15 days |
Venezuela | 8 days |
Vietnam | 40 days |
Yemen | 15 days |
Zambia | 21 days |
Zimbabwe | 29 days |
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