Visit Canada for tourism, family, or short business trips
A Canadian visitor visa, also called a temporary resident visa, lets visa-required travellers come to Canada for a temporary purpose such as tourism, family visits, or eligible business visits. Some travellers need an eTA instead of a visa, depending on nationality and method of travel.
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months, unless the border officer authorizes a shorter or longer stay. If you need more time in Canada, you should apply to extend your stay before your authorized stay expires.
What you must prove
Visitor visa applicants usually need to show:
- a valid passport or travel document
- enough money for the visit and return travel
- clear purpose of travel
- ties to the home country such as job, family, property, studies, or business
- credible travel history where available
- invitation letter if visiting family, friends, or a Canadian host
- no criminal, security, medical, or immigration inadmissibility issue
- intent to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay
The file should answer the officer's practical questions: Why are you going? Why now? Who is paying? Where will you stay? What will make you leave on time?
Visitor visa vs Super Visa vs Business Visitor
Choose the right page for your purpose:
- Super Visa for eligible parents and grandparents who need longer stays
- Business Visitor for meetings, conferences, trade shows, or other non-labour-market business activities
- Study Permit if the course is longer than 6 months or requires a permit
- LMIA-Based Work Permit or LMIA-Exempt Work Permit if you will work in Canada
Invitation letters
An invitation letter can help, but it does not guarantee approval. The applicant still needs to prove eligibility, funds, ties, and temporary intent. The host should include status in Canada, address, relationship, visit purpose, dates, support offered, and contact details.
Official reference
For current visitor rules, see IRCC's Visit Canada page.
