Most people visiting Canada require a temporary resident visa. Exceptions include citizens of the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, most European Union nations, and several other countries.
To find out if you need a visa to visit Canada, go to
Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. Please note that this list only refers to visitor visas and does not cover work and study permits.
If you live in a country where a visa is required, it does not matter whether you plan to visit for a vacation, business, or to meet family and friends. For whatever reason you are entering Canada, you will need one of the following three visas:
Single Entry Visa
A single-entry visa allows you to enter Canada only once, usually for only six months.
Multiple Entry Visa
A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter Canada from another country multiple times within the dates stated on the visa. A multiple-entry visa may be valid for up to five years.
Transit Visa
A transit visa is required for anyone traveling through Canada to another country and whose flight will stop in Canada for less than 48 hours. In order to apply for this visa, you will be required to show valid travel tickets.
Other Requirements
In order to obtain any of the visas mentioned above, you must satisfy the visa officer that you will comply with the restrictions imposed on the visitor visa. These restrictions generally include not working in Canada, or studying in Canada for a period greater than six months.
You will also have to satisfy the visa officer that you will not remain in Canada past the duration of the visa. You can do this by showing sufficient ties, such as a job, home, and family in your home country.
Finally, as a foreign national you will be required to show that you have sufficient funds to take care of yourself during your stay in Canada.
If you are a foreign national, processing time guidelines suggest that you should apply for a visitor visa at least one month before you intend to travel.
Article courtesy of
Ryan Rosenberg &
Steven Meurrens, Canadian Immigration Lawyers based in Vancouver BC.
Copyright 2012 © No text or graphical material may be copied without the express written permission of Larlee Rosenberg.