Visit Visa
Most travellers entering Canada will need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Sometimes, when you apply for a visa to visit Canada, you may be asked to provide a letter of invitation from someone in Canada.
Visa officers assess you to decide whether you meet the terms of Canada's immigration law.
Eligibility
You must meet some basic requirements to get a visitor visa. You must:
- have a valid travel document, like a passport
- be in good health
- have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
- 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
- convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
- have enough money for your stay
- 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.
How long you can 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.
Extend your stay in Canada
If you want to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor (stay in Canada longer), you need to apply before your current status expires.
If your application to extend your stay in Canada is approved, you will be provided with a visitor record.
A visitor record:
If you want to extend your stay as a visitor or change your type of permit, you should apply at least 30 days before your status expires.
The expiry date for your status is on:
If your application to extend your stay in Canada is approved, you will be provided with a visitor record.
A visitor record:
- is a document that says how long you can stay in Canada
- includes an expiry date
- that’s the date that you must leave Canada by
If you want to extend your stay as a visitor or change your type of permit, you should apply at least 30 days before your status expires.
The expiry date for your status is on:
- the stamp in your passport (this is NOT the date included on your visitor visa)
- if you don’t have a stamp in your passport, the expiry date is 6 months from the day you entered Canada
- your study permit
- your work permit or
- your visitor record (if you’ve already extended your stay)
Super visa (for parents and grandparents)
A super visa lets you visit your children or grandchildren for up to 2 years at a time. It’s a multi-entry visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a super visa, you must:
- be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
- have a signed letter from your child or grandchild who invites you to Canada that includes:
- a promise of financial support for the length of your visit
- the list and number of people in the household of this person
- a copy of this person’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document
- have medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is:
- valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry
- at least $100,000 coverage
- have proof that the medical insurance has been paid (quotes aren’t accepted)
- apply for a super visa from outside Canada
- be allowed to enter Canada
- take an immigration medical exam
- meet certain other conditions