Question 1

What is a Canada Visitor Visa (TRV)?

Accepted Answer

A Canada Visitor Visa, officially called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is a document issued by IRCC that allows foreign nationals from visa-required countries (including India) to travel to Canada for temporary purposes — tourism, visiting family, or business meetings. The TRV is stamped as a counterfoil in your passport and is not a work permit or study permit. A TRV gives you authorisation to travel to Canada — the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the port of entry makes the final decision on entry and authorised length of stay (typically 6 months).

Question 2

How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?

Accepted Answer

A standard TRV allows stays of up to 6 months per entry, as stamped in your passport by the CBSA officer at the port of entry. The officer may authorise a shorter or longer stay at their discretion. The 6-month stay is per entry — each time you enter Canada (if you hold a multiple-entry visa), a new 6-month period begins. You can apply for an extension (Visitor Record) before your authorised stay expires if you wish to remain longer. The TRV visa validity (up to 10 years) is separate from the authorised stay duration — you must leave Canada before the authorised date, even if the visa counterfoil is still valid.

Question 3

How much does a Canada visitor visa cost?

Accepted Answer

The application fee for a Canada Visitor Visa (TRV) is CAD 100 per person. The biometrics fee is CAD 85 per person, or CAD 170 for a family of 2 or more applying together at the same time. There is a family cap — a family of 5 or more applying together pays a maximum CAD 500 application fee. These are government processing fees and are non-refundable even if the visa is refused. The Super Visa costs the same (CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics). The Transit Visa (ATV) is free — no application fee and no biometrics fee.

Question 4

How long does Canada visitor visa processing take from India?

Accepted Answer

As of April 2026, standard visitor visa (TRV) processing from India takes approximately 25 days for online applications. Paper applications take longer — approximately 40–60 days. Processing times are not guaranteed and vary based on application volume, completeness of your documents, and whether IRCC requests additional information. Super Visa processing from India takes approximately 169 days. Apply at least 8 weeks before your planned travel date. Do not book non-refundable flights until your visa is approved.

Question 5

What is the 10-year multiple-entry visitor visa?

Accepted Answer

IRCC generally issues multiple-entry visitor visas valid for up to 10 years or one month before the passport expires, whichever comes first. A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter and exit Canada multiple times during the visa validity period, with each stay up to 6 months (as authorised by the CBSA officer). However, the visa officer has discretion — a single-entry visa or a shorter-validity multiple-entry visa may be issued based on the purpose of the visit, travel history, and ties to home country. A 10-year visa does not mean you can stay in Canada for 10 years continuously — it means the visa is valid for entries over that period.

Question 6

What documents do I need for a Canada visitor visa?

Accepted Answer

Core documents include: valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your intended stay, digital passport-style photographs meeting IRCC specifications, proof of funds (bank statements for the last 3–6 months, salary slips, income tax returns), travel itinerary including flight bookings (recommended: hold, do not purchase) and accommodation details, evidence of ties to India — employment letter with approved leave, property documents, family ties (proof that you will return), invitation letter from a host in Canada with proof of their status (citizenship or PR card copy), travel history — copies of previous visas from Canada, USA, UK, Schengen countries, or Australia, and biometrics collected at a VFS Canada centre.

Question 7

What is the Canada Super Visa for parents and grandparents?

Accepted Answer

The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Key features: allows stays of up to 5 years per entry (since June 22, 2023), valid for up to 10 years or passport expiry, requires CAD 100,000 minimum emergency medical insurance coverage from a Canadian insurance company (valid for at least 1 year from entry), requires a signed invitation letter including a promise of financial support from the host child or grandchild, and the host must meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (LICO). The Super Visa is an alternative to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) PR stream for parents who need long-stay but not permanent immigration.

Question 8

Can I extend my stay in Canada as a visitor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you wish to stay in Canada beyond the authorised period stamped in your passport, you must apply for a Visitor Record (extension) before your current status expires — ideally at least 30 days before expiry. You can apply online through your IRCC secure account. The application fee is CAD 100. If your application is submitted before your status expires, you have implied status (maintained status) and can lawfully remain in Canada until a decision is made. A Visitor Record extends your stay but is not a visa — you cannot travel outside Canada and re-enter with it. If you leave Canada, you need a valid TRV to re-enter.

Question 9

Why are Canada visitor visas refused for Indians?

Accepted Answer

Common refusal reasons under IRPR section 179 include: insufficient proof of financial support to cover the stay in Canada, weak ties to India — inability to demonstrate that the applicant will return home (employment, property, family obligations, business ownership), incomplete travel history — lack of previous international travel to countries with strong immigration systems, purpose of visit not credible — vague travel plans or mismatch between stated purpose and documents, family ties in Canada outweighing ties in India, and failure to provide requested documents or information. A refusal letter will cite the specific legal ground. You may re-apply with stronger documentation addressing the refusal reason — there is no mandatory waiting period before reapplying.

Question 10

What is a Canada Transit Visa and who needs it?

Accepted Answer

A Canada Transit Visa (Airport Transit Visa — ATV) is a free document for citizens of certain visa-required countries (including India) who are transiting through a Canadian international airport without entering Canada. The ATV is valid for up to 48 hours and allows you to remain in the sterile transit area of the airport. It is free — no application fee and no biometrics fee. Not all visa-required nationals need an ATV — check the IRCC list of countries whose citizens require a Transit Visa. If your itinerary includes a Canadian stopover where you must collect baggage and re-check, leave the sterile transit area, or stay overnight outside the airport, you need a full TRV, not an ATV.

Canada Visitor Visa FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Common questions.
Clear answers.

What is a Canada Visitor Visa (TRV)?

How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?

How much does a Canada visitor visa cost?

How long does Canada visitor visa processing take from India?

What is the 10-year multiple-entry visitor visa?

What documents do I need for a Canada visitor visa?

What is the Canada Super Visa for parents and grandparents?

Can I extend my stay in Canada as a visitor?

Why are Canada visitor visas refused for Indians?

What is a Canada Transit Visa and who needs it?

Ready to apply for a Canada Visitor Visa?

Canada Visitor Visa FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Common questions. Clear answers.

What is a Canada Visitor Visa (TRV)?

How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?

How much does a Canada visitor visa cost?

How long does Canada visitor visa processing take from India?

What is the 10-year multiple-entry visitor visa?

What documents do I need for a Canada visitor visa?

What is the Canada Super Visa for parents and grandparents?

Can I extend my stay in Canada as a visitor?

Why are Canada visitor visas refused for Indians?

What is a Canada Transit Visa and who needs it?

Ready to apply for a Canada Visitor Visa?

Common questions.
Clear answers.