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Visitor Visa
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Visitor Visa
Who needs a Visitor Visa?
Visa-exempt Countries
- Andorra
- Anguilla
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Republic of Korea
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montserrat
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Pitcairn Island
- Poland
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Falkland Islands
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Hong Kong SAR
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Romania
- Saint Helena
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
Visitor Visa vs. eTA
what's the difference?
Visitor Visa (TRV)
A visitor visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is a physical document called a counterfoil that is placed in your passport. It’s required for citizens of non visa-exempt countries and allows entry to Canada for tourism, business, or visiting family and friends, typically for up to six months. It is often issued as a multiple-entry visa (MEV) and is usually valid for up to 10 years, the MEV lets you leave and re-enter Canada multiple times, as long as each stay is six months or less.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a digital entry requirement for travelers from visa-exempt countries flying to Canada. It’s linked to your passport and allows you to visit Canada for purposes like tourism, business, or visiting family and friends. An eTA is usually valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During this time, you can visit Canada multiple times without reapplying, with each stay typically allowed for up to six months.
How to apply for a Canadian Visitor Visa
Find out if you need a Visitor Visa
To find out if you need a Canadian visitor visa, you can use the Government of Canada's online tool, which assesses your nationality and travel intentions to determine if you need a visa and the appropriate entry requirements.
Create a GC Key Account
If you need a visitor visa, set up an online GCKey account on the Canadian government’s official website. This account will act as your portal for completing the application form, uploading necessary documents, paying the visa fee, and tracking the status of your application.
Complete Your Application
Fill out the visitor visa application form through your GCKey account, upload the required documents such as a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds, travel itinerary, and any additional documents like a letter of invitation or proof of ties to your home country, and pay the visa fee.
Provide Biometrics
If you haven’t provided biometrics (fingerprints and photo) in the past 10 years, or if your biometrics have expired, you will need to schedule and attend an appointment at a designated location. After submitting your application, follow the instructions in the biometrics collection letter sent by IRCC to complete this step.
Await Decision and Travel
Track your application status through your GCKey account while awaiting a decision from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If approved, you’ll receive a passport request, and after submission, your passport will be returned with the visa affixed. If your application is denied, you’ll receive an explanation for the decision.
The Canadian visitor visa application process can be a handful, with complex steps like completing the application, providing biometrics, and gathering extensive documentation. Cantrust Visa can handle all these details for you, allowing you to focus on packing your bags and preparing for your trip to Canada.
Visitor Visa FAQs
A Visitor Visa and an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) both allow you to enter Canada, but they serve different purposes and apply to different travelers:
- Visitor Visa: This is a physical document placed in your passport. It is required for citizens of countries that are not visa-exempt. A visitor visa allows you to enter Canada for tourism, business, or to visit family or friends, typically for up to six months.
- eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization): This is an electronic entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. It’s linked to your passport and allows you to visit Canada for similar purposes as a visitor visa. An eTA is typically valid for up to five years or until your passport expires.
In summary, whether you need a visitor visa or an eTA depends on your nationality and mode of travel.
A Canadian Visitor Visa typically costs CAD $100 when applied for directly through the Government of Canada. Processing times can vary, generally taking from several weeks to a few months depending on your specific circumstances, application volume, and country of origin.
At Cantrust Visa, we offer a streamlined Visitor Visa application service for USD $500. This fee covers assistance with the application process and ensures timely and accurate submission.
An eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for Canada costs CAD $7 when applied for directly through the Government of Canada. Approval is usually granted within minutes, but it can take up to a few days in some cases.
At Cantrust Visa, we offer a convenient eTA application service for USD $30. Our service ensures that your application is completed accurately and promptly.
Under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, there are three main categories for young individuals to work and travel in Canada:
- Working Holiday: This allows you to work and travel in Canada for up to 12 or 24 months, depending on your country of citizenship. It’s ideal for those who want to experience life in Canada while funding their travels.
- Young Professionals: This category is for those who have a job offer in Canada that is directly related to their field of study or career. It allows you to work in Canada for up to 12 or 24 months, depending on your country of citizenship.
- International Co-op (Internship): This is designed for students who need to complete an internship or co-op placement as part of their studies. It allows you to work in Canada for up to 12 months.
Eligibility and specific details may vary depending on your country of citizenship, so it’s best to check the IEC website for the most accurate information.
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