Visitor Visa (TRV)
A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document that is stick in your passport. It shows that you meet the requirements needed to enter Canada.
Most travellers need a visitor visa to travel to Canada. You may also need one if you’re transiting through a Canadian airport on your way to your final destination.
Types of Canadian visitor visas ?
There are two types of Canadian visitor visas: single entry visas and multiple entry visas.
A single entry visa allows foreign nationals to enter Canada for one-time only. A multiple entry visa allows holders to enter and leave Canada as often as they want as long as the visa is valid. You don’t need to choose which kind to apply for, applicants are automatically considered for multiple entry visas and are only issued single entry visas under unique circumstances.
Multiple entry visitor visas permit the holder to travel to Canada for six months at a time as many times as they want, as long as the visa remains valid. They can be valid for up to 10 years, but the exact validity period is at the discretion of the visa officer issuing it. If you have some other status document, such as a study permit or a work permit, and are not otherwise visa-exempt, you will automatically be issued a visitor visa allowing you to enter Canada to receive your permit. Usually, this is a multiple entry visa. If you choose to temporarily leave Canada during the course of your studies or temporary work, you will not need to apply for a new visitor visa to re-enter Canada as long as your permit and visa are both still valid.
How long can you stay ?
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 so, they’ll put the date you need to leave by in your passport. They might also give you a document, called a visitor record, which will show the date you need to leave by.
If you don’t get a stamp in your passport, you can stay for 6 months from the day you entered Canada or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you need a stamp, you can ask a border services officer for one
Who Needs a Visitor Visa ?
Everyone who wants to enter Canada who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or otherwise visa-exempt, requires a visitor visa.
Canadian permanent residents are not permitted to apply for a visitor visa, even if their permanent resident card has expired. They must instead apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD).
Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, are also not permitted to apply for a visitor visa. They must be travelling on a valid Canadian passport.
If you are transiting through or coming to Canada for business, not as a temporary foreign worker, you may need a business visitor visa.
Who can apply ?
You must meet some basic requirements to get a visitor visa. You must:
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have a valid travel document, like a passport
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be in good health
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have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
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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
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convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
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have enough money for your stay
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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.
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You may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.
Note: Requirements may vary, please contact our office for more information based on your situation.
Can I Extend my Visitor Visa ?
Visitor visas, whether single entry or multiple entry, allow foreign nationals to legally live in Canada for up to six months at a time. At the end of this period, your legal status will expire and you must leave Canada. Foreign nationals who would like to extend their stay beyond six months must apply to do so while their temporary resident status is still valid.
You should apply for an extension at least 30 days before your status will expire. If your current visa expires while your extension application is still being processed, you may remain in Canada while waiting for a decision to be made. This is called 'maintained status'(previously called implied status). You can also apply for permanent resident status, if you are eligible for one of Canada’s immigration programs.
Where our expertise helps
Our experts at Kingfisher Immigration can help you by:
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Conducting a FREE Assessment and determining your eligibility for a Visitor Visa
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Facilitating the Visitor Visa Application Process
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We can help you by advising what information the visa officer reviewing your application should know, and should review, before processing your application. We will be happy to assist you to ensure that the outcome is a positive one for you
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We can assist you to extend your Visitor Visa
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In case your Visitor Visa has been refused, don't worry, Contact Us we can assist with representation and re-submission of the same