Canada Visas: The Different Types to Live, Work, and Study

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.

Note: These visa fees are subject to change by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.

• We have helped hundreds of clients from 35+ countries in all the top residency by investment and citizenship by investment programs. With an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the area, we provide our clients with solid guidance. 
• Our team has never had a case rejected. Our 100 percent approval rate sets us apart from our competitors and guarantees that you can expect a successful application.
• Our transparent pricing covers all the processes from opening your bank account, document certification, and legal due diligence to investment and submission. As there is one fee for the entire process, you can be confident that you will not face any hidden costs later.
• All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server. You can be safe knowing that your personal data is treated with the utmost security.
• Global Citizen Solutions provides an all-encompassing solution. Our support can continue even after you receive your passport. We offer additional services such as company incorporation, Trusts, and Foundations formation.
• The BeGlobal Onboarding System® allows you to access the status of your application every step of the way, something that sets us apart from our competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Visas

What are the different types of visas available for Canada?

Canada offers immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Permanent resident (immigrant) visas are for those who want to live there permanently, while temporary, nonimmigrant visas, such as work permits, study permits, or visitor visas, are for short-term stays.

How do I apply for a Canada visa online?

To submit a Canada visa application online, you must visit Canada.ca, which is the official portal of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can also apply at the Canadian embassy or consulate in your home country to receive your new visa.

What documents are required for a Canadian visa application?

As a principal applicant for a new visa, you must provide a national identity document, details of your visit to Canada, a passport, proof of funds, a clean criminal record, bank statements, and visa photos for the new visa. Depending on the visa type, you may need a letter of invitation from a Canadian resident, proof of employment or studies, and proof to return to your home country.

What is the processing time for a Canada visa?

The average processing times vary based on the type of new visa and the foreign country you apply from, which can include:

• Visitor visa: 20 days
• Study permit: 8 to 11 weeks
• Work permit: 6 weeks or over
• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): 5 minutes or within 72 hours

Another foreign country like India, China, and Pakistan, may face longer processing times due to a large number of applicants.

Who needs a visa to enter Canada?

People from most countries need a visa to enter Canada, unless they already have an active status, like a work visa, study permit, or permanent residence. If you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, like Japan or Australia, and you fly to Canada, you will most likely need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

How much does it cost to apply for a Canada visa?

The cost of a Canadian visa varies by type. For example, you can spend $100 on a visitor visa, $7 on an Electronic Travel Authorization, and $150 on a study permit, or $155 for a work permit. Permanent residence fees are more expensive, at $2,385, and increase with each dependent family member. They also come with a long visa application process. The Canadian government can increase the fees for a new visa with every inflation and adjust wait times based on demand.

What are the photo requirements for a Canada visa?

To meet the Canada visa requirements, your photo must be unaltered, 35mm x 45mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″) in size, and in full frontal view. You can use a simple white or light-colored background and maintain a natural expression. Consult with officers at a Canadian embassy or consulate to ensure you meet the visa requirements.

How do I apply for a Canada visa from the USA?

As a US citizen, you don’t need a visitor visa to stay in Canada for up to 180 days. You also don’t have to obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). You only need a valid Green Card or passport or other proof of status in the United States.

What is the difference between an eTA and a Canadian visa?

The main difference between an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and a Canadian visa is their purpose. The eTA is not a visa; it’s a permit to enter the country by plane. This pre-screening tool is for travelers from visa-free countries. A new visa, like a visitor visa or a work permit, is a formal authorization to enter the country for a specific purpose, such as for business, studying, or settling there.

Do you need to schedule a visa interview in Canada every time you get a new visa?

No, you do not need to schedule a visa interview whenever you get a new visa. Interviews are not mandatory for all visa applications in a foreign country. But if the immigration services officer does an interview where you require visas, that usually means they need more information or other documents before you can receive your new visa. In that case, yes, it is mandatory.

Do Canadian citizens need a Schengen Visa?

No. Canadian citizens don’t need a Schengen Visa for an intended stay of up to 90 days in 180 days. You can easily visit certain countries in the Schengen area, such as Greece, Austria, Croatia, and Sweden, for short and temporary stays without a visitor visa.