Introduction
Thinking of working, traveling, studying, or moving to Canada? You will need the correct visa, but with all the different types, how do you pick the right one?
Canada visas are endorsements on your passport that grant you official permission to enter and stay in the country for a specific time. They are a form of authorization from the Canadian government that you can use as an official document for going in and out of the country.
In this article, we will break down the visa types for Canada, entry requirements, costs, and the visa application process.
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Do you need a visa for Canada?
For example, citizens of visa-exempt countries (such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, most European Union countries, and others) do not need a visa for short stays, usually up to six months. However, if you are from a visa-exempt country and flying to Canada, you will most likely need an eTA.
Citizens of visa-required countries (such as Albania, Colombia, Dominican Republic, and others) must obtain a valid visa before they visit Canada, regardless of the method of travel. Various Canada visas are available for work, travel, study, and permanent residence. The citizenship and immigration services in Canada are responsible for processing all types of new visas.
Note: Foreign nationals who already hold a valid status in Canada (e.g., work permit, study permit, temporary resident, or permanent residence) don’t need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to return to Canada.
Canadian Visa Types
Canada provides a variety of visas to foreign nationals for different purposes, whether temporary or permanent. Temporary visas are nonimmigrant visas with limited time frames, while immigrant visas can provide a permanent resident status, so you can stay for a longer period.
Tourist Visa (Visitor Visa)
A Canada tourist visa is temporary permission for tourism purposes and a nonimmigrant visa. In this country, it is known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or a visitor visa. With it, you can explore local attractions and enjoy recreational activities for up to six months. You can use it to visit family members or friends who live in Canada or take short courses that don’t require a study permit. This is often a multiple-entry visitor visa you can continue using until it expires.
- Visa validity: up to 10 years
- Application fee: CAD $100
- Visa requirements: valid passport, proof of intent to leave, sufficient funds, clean criminal record, application forms, and other additional documents
Working Visas
A Canadian work visa, also known as a work permit, is a limited residence permit that gives foreign nationals the legal right to work in Canada. You can obtain either an employer-specific or an open work permit. It is specifically designed for people who’ve landed on a job offer from a Canadian employer. You can extend your stay with these Canadian visas by renewing them three to four months before they expire.
- Visa validity: one to three years
- Application fee: CAD $155
- Visa requirements: job offer, valid passport, proof of qualification, sufficient funds, no criminal record, and other additional documents
Study Permit
A study permit is a separate document in Canada for international students that lasts for the duration of the courses plus 90 days. Officials require visas of this type so foreigners can attend full-time studies, vocational training, and academic research. The study permit allows you to reside in Canada for your educational activities.
- Visa validity: the length of your study programs, plus 90 days
- Application fee: CAD $150
- Visa requirements: letter of acceptance, valid passport, sufficient funds, application forms, clean criminal record, letter of explanation, Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Immigrant Visas
Canadian immigrant visas are permanent residence programs like the Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Start-up Visa, and Self-Employed Persons Program. They allow you to live permanently in Canada.
Permanent residents (PRs) get a PR card that provides access to healthcare coverage, federal and provincial programs, free education, and other benefits. Permanent residents can sponsor their dependent family to move with them.
- Visa validity: five years, can be renewed
- Application fee: CAD $2,385 (for processing and right of permanent residence fee)
- Visa requirements: apply through immigration programs, valid passport, settlement funds, clean criminal record, additional information, and other supporting documents
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a screening process for visa-exempt foreign nationals who want to travel to Canada by plane. This entry requirement is a type of pre-check from border control that determines whether you can enter the country. You apply online before you book your flight.
- Validity: up to five years, or until the passport expires
- Application fee: CAD $7
- Requirements: valid passport from a visa-exempt country, email address, payment method
Canadian Visa Application Process
To apply for Canada visas, you must:
- Check to see if you are eligible. Choose a type of visa you need (e.g., visitor visa, student permit, or work visa) and make sure you meet the basic requirements.
- Fill out an online application form. Visa applicants who require visas must complete forms based on the type of visa they select. Immigration law has different visa requirements for Canadian visitors and those who apply for permanent residence.
- Collect the documents. Visa applicants usually need a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds, a travel itinerary, biometrics, proof of a medical exam, and other supporting documents. Contact the Canadian government or consulate for additional information on citizenship and immigration services.
- Pay the visa fees. There are different visa fees for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. For example, you can expect to pay CAD $100 for a visitor visa or CAD $2,385 for permanent residence application fees.
- Wait for processing. The processing times vary based on the type of visa and your home country. In most cases, wait times with immigration services can take a couple of weeks to a few months. Canada family sponsorship visas can take a year or more. The consular officer can schedule a visa interview if they need more official documents or other information.
- Visa issuance. After your application is approved, you will receive a notification. For TRV (visitor visa) that includes a visa sticker, for study or work permits a Port of Entry (POE), and for permanent residence a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
Canada Visa Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for Canadian visas, you will need:
- Valid passport
- Clean criminal record
- Ties to a job offer, family members, financial assets, or a home country that prove your intention to leave Canada after the visa ends
- Sufficient funds to support yourself or dependent family members
- Medical exam
- Biometrics
- Proof of legal guardian (for applicants under 18)
How much does a Canadian visa cost?
The fees vary based on the type of visa or permit you apply for, and the number of visa applicants included in your Canada visa application. The table below provides the standard visa fees in Canadian dollars.
| Visa type or travel document | Common application fees |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa | – $100 per person – $100 to extend your stay as a visitor – $239.75 to restore visitor status |
| Work visa | – $155 per person (including extensions) – $100 for open work permit holder – $394.75 to restore your worker status |
| Study permit | – $150 per person (including extensions) – $389.75 to restore your student status |
| Immigrant visa | – $2,385 (including processing and right of permanent residence fee) – $1,525 for including a spouse or a partner – $260 per child |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | $7 |
Note: These visa fees are subject to change by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
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