Overview
Most visitors to Canada need either a visitor visa (temporary resident visa, or TRV) or, when flying in, an electronic travel authorization (eTA), depending on their citizenship. Whether you are visiting family, accompanying a child at school, touring or attending business meetings, officers look closely at your purpose of visit, finances and ties to your home country. We help you choose the right document, present a clear and honest application, and advise on the Super Visa when parents or grandparents want longer stays.
Who it’s for
- Tourists and families visiting relatives or friends in Canada
- Parents accompanying a minor child who is studying in Canada
- Business visitors attending meetings, conferences or trade shows
- Students taking a short course or program of six months or less
Key requirements
- A valid passport and, depending on your citizenship, a visitor visa or an eTA
- A clear, genuine purpose of visit, such as tourism, family, business or a short course
- Proof of enough funds for your stay, from your own resources or a host in Canada
- Ties to your home country — such as employment, family, property or studies — showing you will leave at the end of your stay
- Where relevant, an invitation letter from your host in Canada, with proof of their status
- Biometrics for most visa applicants, and a medical exam or police certificate if requested
How it works
- 01
Confirm what you need
We check whether you need a visitor visa or an eTA, and whether a Super Visa or another permit would better suit your plans.
- 02
Build your supporting evidence
We help you document your purpose, finances, employment and family ties, and prepare invitation letters and a clear travel plan.
- 03
Submit & give biometrics
We file your application online, guide you through biometrics and respond to any requests from the visa office.
- 04
Travel to Canada
If approved, the visa is placed in your passport; an eTA is linked to it electronically. The border officer decides how long you may stay.
- 05
Extend if needed
If you need more time, we can help you apply to extend your stay before your visitor status expires.
Advantages
- A multiple-entry visa can allow repeat visits while it is valid — up to 10 years, depending on your passport and the officer's decision
- eTA applications are simple and completed entirely online
- Business visitors can attend meetings, conferences and trade events without a work permit
- Parents and grandparents of citizens and permanent residents may qualify for a Super Visa allowing stays of up to five years at a time
Good to know
- Visitors cannot work in Canada, and switching to study or work status from inside Canada is possible only in limited situations.
- An approved visa or eTA does not guarantee entry — the border officer makes the final decision when you arrive.
- Incomplete or inconsistent information is a common reason for refusal, and misrepresentation can lead to a five-year ban.
FAQ
What is the difference between a visitor visa and an eTA?
Citizens of visa-required countries need a visitor visa, which is placed in the passport. Travellers from visa-exempt countries need only an eTA — an online authorization linked to the passport — when flying to or through a Canadian airport. U.S. citizens need neither.
Can my parents stay in Canada longer than six months?
Visitors can apply from inside Canada to extend their stay. Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents may instead qualify for a Super Visa, which allows stays of up to five years at a time.
My visa was refused. Can I apply again?
Yes. There is generally no waiting period, but reapplying with the same information is unlikely to change the result. We review the refusal reasons and help you address them before you reapply.
Last reviewed: October 2026. This page provides general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often — we confirm the latest requirements for your situation during your consultation.