Canada welcomes millions of visitors every year who come to explore its cities, natural landscapes, and cultural experiences. A visitor visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), allows eligible individuals to travel to Canada for tourism, visiting family and friends, or attending short-term business activities. Visitor status is typically granted for a limited period and must comply with the conditions set by Canadian immigration authorities.
Who Needs a Visitor Visa
Foreign nationals from certain countries of citizenship require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). It allows foreign nationals from visa-required countries to travel to Canada for a temporary stay. Individuals may apply for a visitor visa for purposes such as tourism, visiting family or friends, or attending short-term business meetings or events. (sometimes business visa might be required). To obtain a visitor visa, applicants must demonstrate that they meet the requirements of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this includes proving they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay, have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their visit, and provide the necessary documentation to support their application.
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
Some travellers need a Temporary Resident Visa before arriving in Canada, while others may only require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when flying to the country. eTA is usually valid for 5 years or until the expire date of your passport, whichever comes first and is linked to your current passport.
The following foreign national are eligible for eTA:
- Citizens of certain countries (click here to find out if you are visa-exempt);
- Individuals lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.
Applicants must demonstrate that their visit is temporary and that they have sufficient ties to their home country, financial resources, and a clear purpose for their trip.
A Temporary Resident Visa does not permit a foreign national to work while in Canada.
Super visa for parents and grandparents
The Super Visa is a special long-term visitor visa available to eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Unlike a standard visitor visa, the Super Visa allows multiple entries to Canada and stays of up to five years per visit. Applicants must meet additional requirements, including purchasing eligible Canadian medical insurance, providing a written invitation and financial support commitment from their child or grandchild in Canada, and completing an immigration medical examination. Our firm provides guidance throughout the Super Visa application process to help families reunite and spend extended time together in Canada.
Business Visitors
Some foreign nationals may enter Canada as business visitors for the purposes of attending business meetings, seminars, conferences or provide certain after-sales services in Canada. They are not allowed to enter Canadian labour market (cannot work and be remunerated in Canada). They must clearly declare their purpose of visit and obtain TRV or eTA depending on their eligibility.
After-Sales Services
An after-sales Canadian work permit is a part of a business visitor work exemption that allows foreign nationals to enter Canada to provide after-sales or lease services without needing a work permit. These services include:
- Repairing, servicing, or supervising work on equipment, machinery, or software manufactured and purchased outside Canada.
- Installing, setting up and testing commercial equipment, machinery or software, provided it requires proprietary or product-specific knowledge.
- Training or supervising Canadian workers on the use of the equipment, machinery or software.
Important considerations:
- After-sales terms must be in the original agreement of purchase and sale
- Visitor Record is usually issued
- Must not enter Canadian labour market
- The person who provides after-sales services does not have to come from the same company the equipment was purchased from, it can be from the third-party service provider, conditions apply.
Preparing a Visitor Visa Application
A well-prepared visitor visa application helps demonstrate that you meet the requirements to enter Canada temporarily. This may include travel plans, proof of financial support, invitation letters if visiting family or friends, and documentation showing ties to your home country such as employment or property. Submitting a complete and clear application can help reduce delays and strengthen the overall application.
Foreign nationals who are planning to enter Canada, must be admissible to Canada, based on medical and criminal admissibility. In certain cases, an individual who is inadmissible to Canada may apply for Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) to overcome admissibly issues.
Visa Categories
- Visit Canada
- Business Visitors
- Work in Canada
- Solutions for Employers
- Intra-Company Transfers
- International Mobility Program
- Provincial Nominees Program
- Study in Canada
- Supervisa
- Family Sponsorship
- Permanent Residence
- Citizenship
- PR Card Renewal
- Extend your status in Canada
- Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C)
- Asylum & Refugees
- Removal Orders
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