Canada Visa for Indian Citizens

All Indian nationals require a visa to visit Canada, whether for business, study, tourism, or for visiting family and friends. As such, there is a broad range of Canada visa for Indian citizens options that cover all of those needs. 

Canada’s captivating landscapes, including the Boreal forests, majestic Rocky Mountains, and the vast Canadian Prairies; dynamic cities; and welcoming communities are key attractions for visitors. 

The Canadian visa for Indian citizens categories provide access to memorable experiences, cultural exploration, and opportunities to connect with the country’s diverse heritage, making Canada an attractive destination for Indian citizens looking to visit and immerse themselves in its rich culture. 

For those interested, Canada offers a range of opportunities for studying, working, and even establishing a life in this vibrant nation. 

The range of Canada visa options for Indian citizens includes the Canadian Tourist Visa for those who want to have a short-term stay in the country, the Canada Start-Up Visa for entrepreneurs, work permits for those seeking employment, study permits for students, and the Express Entry system for those pursuing permanent residency. 

In this article, we’ll explore these visa categories, explaining their benefits, requirements, and all the detailed information necessary to help Indian citizens understand which Canada visa they might need to travel to Canada or to work and live in the North American country. 

Canada Visa Types

Canada Tourist Visa

The Canada Tourist Visa, also known as the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or the Canada Visitor Visa, is for those seeking temporary stays in the country. Intended for tourism, family visits, or business meetings, the Canada Tourist Visa isn’t suitable for those seeking permanent residency or the right to work in Canada.

Canada Tourist Visa eligibility criteria: To be eligible for the tourist visa, you have to meet certain eligibility criteria. Generally, as stated by the Canadian government, this includes:

• Having a valid travel document (a valid Indian passport, with a validity period of at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Canada)
• Being in good health
• Having no criminal or immigration-related convictions
• Providing sufficient proof to convince an immigration officer at the visa office that you have ties — such as a job, home, financial assets, or family — that will take you back to India
• Convincing an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit and not stay past the visa’s expiry date
• Having enough funds for your stay
• If you are staying with a friend or family member, you might need a letter of invitation from them.

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. Although you don’t necessarily need travel insurance, it is advisable to purchase travel insurance that can cover any medical expenses you might incur during your time in Canada.

Canada Visitor Visa checklist

• Valid passport
• Passport-sized photographs
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay
• Travel itinerary, including flight bookings
• Travel history
• Invitation letter, if applicable
• Proof of ties to India (e.g., employment, property)
• Bank statements and financial documents
• Employment letter
• Purpose of visit documentation in the form of a cover letter (e.g., tourism, business, family visit)
• Biometrics: Schedule an appointment for biometric data submission, if required.
• Application fee: Pay the relevant fee.
• Submission: Submit your application online or at a Visa Application Center (VAC).
• Interview: Attend an interview, if requested by the immigration authorities.
• Processing time: Be prepared for processing time, which can vary depending on your visa type.
• Passport submission: Once your application is approved, submit your passport for visa stamping.

Canada Tourist Visa process

To obtain a TRV, applicants must prove their ties to their home country, ensuring their intention to return after their visit. The visa is typically granted for up to six months, with options for single or multiple entries. Multiple-entry visas allow for numerous visits over a period of up to ten years.

To apply, individuals must submit the necessary visa application form and supporting documents and pay the associated processing fee. Depending on the circumstances, extensions may be possible.

Applicants also need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photographs) as part of the application process. You may also be asked to attend a visa interview to clarify any information provided in your application.

The processing time for a Canada tourist visa is a maximum of eight weeks.

Canada Tourist Visa fees

The application fee for a Canada tourist visa for Indian citizens is CAD $100, though there may be additional charges, such as a CAD $85 biometrics fee. 

CAN Plus Visa

The CAN Plus Visa (also known as the CAN+ Visa) is a program that offers expedited processing for a Temporary Resident Visa application. 

The program was extended into India in 2014, so if you’re an Indian citizen who has visited Canada within the last ten years and/or holds a valid US visa at the time of your application, you could be eligible. 

As well as faster processing, another benefit is that you don’t need to submit financial documents with your application. 

Family Sponsorship

As part of the family class immigration program, Canada offers a Family Sponsorship Visa. The Family Sponsorship Visa enables Indian nationals who are also Canadian citizens or have permanent resident status in Canada to request permission for family members to visit Canada or immigrate to Canada permanently. Permanent residents in Canada can sponsor the following relatives: 

• Common-law partner 
• Dependent children 
• Parents 
• Grandparents 
• Brother/sister* 
• Nephew/niece* 
• Grandson/granddaughter* 

You can only sponsor your brother/sister, nephew/niece, grandson/granddaughter if they: 

• Have lost their parents and are dependent on you 
• Are minor children (below 18 years of age) and are not married 
• Are a relative by a common law

Canada Super Visa

The Canada Super Visa is for temporary visits by parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It is not for permanent residency; it is for extended temporary stays for family reunification.

Eligible relationships: It specifically caters to parents and grandparents.

Validity: The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa and is typically valid for up to ten years, allowing parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods, up to two years per visit.

Financial support: While financial support is expected during visits, it is not the same as the financial commitment required for permanent residency.

Transit Visa

If you’re transiting through a Canadian airport to go to another country or other countries in 48 hours or less, as an Indian national, you will need a Transit Visa. There is no fee for the Transit Visa. 

The Canada Transit Visa, also known as the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program, is available to Indian citizens who are traveling through Canada to reach their final destination in another country. This visa allows travelers to make brief stops in Canada without the need for a regular Canadian visa. 

Indian nationals can take advantage of this program if they meet certain criteria, including having a valid visa for their final destination and connecting flights booked. 

The transit stay is typically limited to 48 hours. Travelers must remain in the international transit area and are not allowed to leave the airport during their stopover. It’s essential to check the specific requirements and restrictions with the official Canadian immigration website or the nearest Canadian Embassy (the Canadian Embassy in India is in New Delhi) or Consulate before planning a transit through Canada. 

If Indian travelers wish to visit Canada during their 48-hour transit, they will need to apply for a regular visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) before their trip. The Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program is designed specifically for travelers who are only transiting through Canada and do not intend to enter the country. 

If someone wants to leave the airport and explore Canada during their stopover, they must obtain a visitor visa in advance and meet all the entry requirements, such as demonstrating the purpose of their visit, financial support, and ties to their home country. It’s crucial to apply for the appropriate visa and adhere to Canadian immigration regulations to ensure a smooth and legally compliant visit to Canada during the transit. 

Canada Study Permit

If you intend to study in Canada, you will need to apply for a Canada Study Permit. For a Canada study permit or student visa application, you must meet the following requirements:

Letter of Acceptance: You must first receive a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.

Sufficient funds: You should be able to demonstrate that you have enough money to cover your tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and any family members who accompany you, and the return transportation costs.

Clean criminal record: You may be required to provide a police certificate (sometimes known as a criminal records check) to prove that you have no criminal record (a background check).

Medical examination: In some cases, you may need to undergo a medical exam, particularly if you plan to study in Canada for more than six months.

Immigration medical insurance: You might be required to show proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Canada.

Statement of purpose: You may be asked to provide a statement of purpose explaining your study plans, which includes your intention to return to your home country after your studies.

Passport: You need a valid passport.

Photographs: You will be asked for recent passport-sized photographs.

Biometrics: In some cases, you will need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photographs) as part of the visa application process.

Payment of application fee: There is a fee associated with applying for a study permit.

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): You will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

Express Entry

Express Entry is an online system that the Government of Canada uses to manage immigration applications from skilled workers, covering three programs: Canadian Experience Class (for professionals who have already worked in Canada), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (for qualified and experienced professionals), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (for qualified professionals with technical expertise and international work experience). 

Express Entry requirements: 

The visa requirements to apply for Express Entry and gain a permanent resident card: 

• Share your Express Entry profile on the Government of Canada website. You will need to self-assess yourself. 
• Your profile will be graded based on Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Your profile will be assigned points with the help of a Canada Permanent Resident Visa points calculator. 
• Top-scoring profiles will be allowed to submit their application through Express Entry draws that happen every two weeks. 

Qualified applicants who have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) must submit their application for a Permanent Resident Visa within 60 days of receiving the invitation. 

Those who receive ITAs to become permanent residents via this route are required to upload the following documents: 

• Police certificates 
• Proof of funds 
• Birth certificate, if you’re declaring dependent children 
• Use of a Representative form, if you have hired a representative 
• Common-law union form, if you have declared your marital status as “common-law” 
• Marriage certificate, if you have declared your marital status as “married” 
• Divorce certificate and legal separation agreement, if you have declared your marital status as “divorced” 
• Death certificate, if you have declared your marital status as “widowed” 
• Adoption certificate, when a dependent child is listed as “adopted” 
• You may also be asked to submit additional supporting documents. 
• Most Express Entry candidates have their applications processed in between six and twelve months. 

Business Immigration Program

If you are a successful Indian entrepreneur who is seeking new opportunities in Canada, a country that offers a range of social benefits and business incentives, the Business Immigration Program could be ideal for you. 

Under this program, Canada’s federal and provincial/territorial governments welcome business immigrants, providing a range of services to assist foreign nationals in starting a new enterprise or taking over an existing Canadian business. The Canadian government also provides support for business immigrants to get settled in the country with several pathways to permanent residence (PR), eventually enabling them to become Canadian citizens. 

There are various requirements and processes for the federal and territorial options. This program is relatively easy to navigate and only involves a two-step process. You just need to have a work permit. Once you meet all the work permit terms and conditions, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa. 

Federal Business Programs

Canada’s federal immigration programs, such as Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs, provide Indian citizens with diverse pathways to permanent residency, aligned with their skills and aspirations.

Canada Start-Up Visa

If you are an entrepreneur who intends to immigrate from India to Canada in order to establish a business or take over an existing Canadian business, the Canada Start-Up Visa (SUV) would be ideal for you. 

This program gives entrepreneurs a PR visa and access to investment in the country’s private sector. Under this scheme, you get the opportunity to connect and network with angel investors, venture capitalists, and other business enthusiasts. The program makes it easier for foreign nationals to create and expand successful start-ups.  

The SUV is a fast, cost-effective, and reliable immigration stream into Canada that provides PR from day one. Unlike other business immigration paths, the PR status is not tied to the success of the business. 

To be eligible for the Canadian Start-Up Visa program, the Canadian government requires applicants to prove their business ideas are innovative, creative, and ready to compete globally. Additionally, entrepreneurs must ensure their start-up creates job opportunities for Canadian residents. 

You must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for the Canada Start-Up Visa program: 

• Support from an authorized designated organization (a venture capital fund must agree to invest CAD$ 200,000 in your business, an angel investor group must agree to invest $75,000, while a business incubator must only endorse the business)
• Basic proficiency in English or French (CLB 5 or greater)
• Cannot be inadmissible to Canada for medical, security, or criminality reasons
• Two plus years of post-secondary education (preferred)
• Business ownership or management experience (preferred)

Buy a Business and Move to Canada

Under the Federal Government’s Owner-Operator Program, entrepreneurs can buy or establish a new business in Canada, enabling them to qualify for a temporary work visa. 

The Buy a Business and Move to Canada is not a formal government program, but it enables immigrant investors to get a Canada work visa and then apply for PR after a year. 

Provincial/Territorial Programs

Canada offers several provincial and territorial visa immigration programs that provide Indian nationals with various pathways to permanent residency in Canada, catering to their skills, experience, and qualifications.

Provincial Nominee Programs

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and are interested in settling in a particular province.

Provincial Nominee Program requirements

You must meet the following requirements to apply under the Provincial Nominee Program:

• Fulfill all nominee non-express stream requirements cited by the province or territory
• Be nominated under that stream

Atlantic Immigration Program

Under the Atlantic Immigration Program, formally called Atlantic Immigration Pilot, a highly-skilled foreign worker or international student who has graduated from a Canadian education institution can apply for PR in Canada. This visa program aims to enable skilled foreign workers and graduates to occupy positions in provinces that locals cannot fill.

This program is only applicable in four provinces in Canada: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

You must first apply for permanent residence through the province or territory you were nominated by for the Atlantic Immigration Program. After a province or territory endorses you for permanent residency, you can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a permanent resident permit. An IRCC officer will assess your application and make a decision based on Canadian laws for immigration.

Atlantic Immigration Program requirements

You must meet the following requirements to apply under the Atlantic Immigration Program:

• Proof of qualifying work experience
• Proof of qualifying education
• Fulfill language requirements
• Proof of financial stability that ensures that you can support yourself and each family member when you relocate to Canada

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Visa Options for Indian Citizens