FAQ

A Canadian Visitor Visa (TRV) is an official travel document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to eligible foreign nationals from visa-required countries. It is generally placed in the applicant's passport and permits travel to a Canadian port of entry, where a border services officer determines admissibility and the authorized period of stay.

Foreign nationals from visa-required countries generally need a valid visitor visa to travel to Canada.

Applicants must generally:

• Hold a valid passport or travel document.
• Demonstrate a genuine temporary purpose for visiting Canada.
• Have sufficient funds for their intended visit.
• Satisfy Canadian immigration and admissibility requirements.
• Demonstrate that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.
• Provide supporting documents appropriate to their circumstances.

A Canadian Visitor Visa may be issued for purposes including:

• Tourism and sightseeing.
• Visiting family members or friends.
• Attending weddings or family celebrations.
• Attending business meetings or conferences.
• Participating in eligible short-term events.
• Visiting a spouse or common-law partner.
• Other legitimate temporary visits.

Yes. Retired individuals may apply to visit Canada for tourism or to visit family. Supporting evidence may include pension income, savings, property ownership, family relationships, and other relevant circumstances.

Common supporting documents may include:

• Valid passport or travel document.
• Proof of financial resources.
• Employment or business documentation.
• Travel itinerary and intended accommodation.
• Invitation letter, where applicable.
• Evidence of family, employment, or financial ties.
• Previous travel history.
• Proof of relationship to a Canadian host, where applicable.
• Other documents requested by IRCC.

Yes. Canadian citizens and permanent residents may invite eligible relatives for temporary visits. The invitation should accurately explain the relationship, purpose of travel, intended duration, accommodation arrangements, and financial support, where applicable.

Yes. International students and temporary foreign workers legally residing in Canada may invite their parents or other relatives to visit.

Yes. Financial assistance from a family member or another person may be considered. Applicants should provide credible evidence of the sponsor's financial capacity, relationship to the applicant, and the nature of the proposed support.

Most visitors are authorized to remain in Canada for up to six months per entry. A border services officer may authorize a shorter or longer stay, depending on the circumstances.

Visa validity determines the period during which the visa may be used to travel to Canada. Authorized stay determines how long the visitor may legally remain in Canada after entering. A ten-year multiple-entry visa does not authorize an uninterrupted ten-year stay.

Yes, if the visa is valid for multiple entries.

Certain short-term courses or programs lasting six months or less may be undertaken without a study permit, subject to applicable conditions. Longer academic programs generally require a study permit unless an exemption applies.

Certain foreign nationals holding valid Canadian study permits or work permits may apply for a new TRV from inside Canada when they meet IRCC's eligibility requirements.

Common reasons include:

• Insufficient evidence of temporary resident intentions.
• Weak employment, family, or financial ties.
• Inadequate financial documentation.
• Unclear purpose of travel.
• Inconsistent information or unsupported claims.
• Previous immigration violations.
• Criminal, medical, or other inadmissibility concerns.
• Misrepresentation or failure to disclose relevant information.

Potentially. Applicants may request reconsideration where there is a credible basis, such as a significant factual or procedural error. Reconsideration is discretionary and does not guarantee that IRCC will reopen the application

In appropriate circumstances, an applicant may seek leave and judicial review before the Federal Court of Canada. Strict filing deadlines apply, and judicial review generally examines the legality and reasonableness of the decision rather than simply reassessing the application.