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Immigration and Visa Services
When planning a temporary visit to Canada, understanding the available entry options is essential. Visitors may apply for a Visitor Visa, suitable for tourism, visiting family or friends, or attending business meetings, typically allowing stays of up to 6 months. For extended visits with family, the Super Visa offers multiple entries over 5 years per visit, specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Citizens of visa-exempt countries may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), while others require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for entry. Each option has specific requirements, including proof of ties to the home country, financial sufficiency, and intent to depart Canada after the visit.
A Visitor Visa, or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is required for anyone wishing to visit Canada temporarily. Issued by a Canadian visa office, this document confirms that the bearer meets the entry requirements as a visitor. It can be singleentry or multiple-entry, generally allowing a stay of up to six months, as determined by the border services officer.
To qualify, applicants must have a valid passport, be in good health, and may need a medical examination depending on their country of origin and length of stay. They must also have a clean criminal record and demonstrate strong ties to their home country, such as employment, assets, or family, to assure their return. Additionally, they must prove they have sufficient funds for their visit and may need a letter of invitation from a Canadian resident outlining the visit's purpose and details.
A Visitor Record in Canada allows individuals who initially entered with a visitor visa, eTA, or valid passport to extend their stay as a visitor, worker without a work permit, or student without a study permit. It provides a new expiry date, indicating the extended period until which you are permitted to stay in Canada.
A Visitor Record is essential for individuals seeking to extend their stay in Canada under categories such as visitor, worker without a work permit, or student without a study permit, or for those changing their temporary resident status from a study permit or work permit to visitor status. Regardless of your initial entry method into Canada, whether it was through a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), obtaining a Visitor Record is necessary if you plan to extend your stay under these circumstances. To ensure compliance with Canadian immigration regulations, it is recommended to apply for a Visitor Record at least 30 days before your current status expires.
The Super Visa is intended for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who want to visit Canada for extended periods. Valid for up to 10 years, it allows stays of up to five years at a time without needing renewal.
To qualify, applicants must have a host in Canada—either their child or grandchild —who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. The host must meet minimum income requirements and provide a letter of invitation with a promise of financial support, co-signed if necessary by their spouse or commonlaw partner. Applicants must apply from outside Canada and undergo an immigration medical exam.
Super Visa holders must have health insurance from a Canadian or approved international insurer, covering at least $100,000 in emergency expenses for a minimum of one year. When reviewing applications, officers assess ties to the home country, the purpose of the visit, family situation, and the home country's stability. Demonstrating a genuine intention to leave Canada at the end of the visit is crucial.
A Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) is an official document that shows you meet the requirements to enter Canada. It is placed in your passport and allows you to visit Canada for a short period, typically up to six months.
Most travelers need a Visitor Visa to enter Canada, except for those from visa-exempt countries.
You can apply online or on paper. You will need to provide various documents, including your passport, proof of financial support, and a letter of invitation if applicable.
The initial duration is usually up to six months. However, the border services officer will determine the length of your stay upon entry.
The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time without renewing their status.
To be eligible, you must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, provide a letter of invitation from your child or grandchild, prove that your host meets the minimum income requirement, and have valid Canadian medical insurance for at least one year.
You apply for a Super Visa much like a Visitor Visa, but you must also provide additional documents such as proof of relationship, the letter of invitation, and proof of medical insurance.
The Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years, allowing multiple entries. Each stay can be up to five years.
A Visitor Record is a document that extends or changes the conditions of your stay in Canada. It is not a visa and does not guarantee re-entry if you leave Canada.
You should apply for a Visitor Record before your current status expires if you wish to extend your stay or change conditions (such as study or work restrictions) while you are in Canada.