There are different Canadian visitor visas available and it is important to know which one you need based on what you are travelling for.
Family reunification remains one of the pillars of Canadian immigration programs. Along with that, Canada is packed with amazing tourist attractions and business opportunities; it’s a country whose borders are always open to welcome visitors. To visit Canada the first thing you need is a visitor visa, a document that shows that you are eligible to enter Canada.
Who is considered a visitor?
Visitors are persons who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and are legally authorized to enter Canada to:
- Visit Canada on holiday (vacation)
- Visit family,
- Conduct business.
Types of Canadian Visitor Visas
- Family Visits
This is the most popular type of Canadian visitor visa. It allows the holder to stay in Canada for six months at once for as long as the visa remains valid. This visa is for people who are not citizens or visa-exempt but want to visit their family in Canada. These visas are usually multiple Canadian multiple entries and can be valid for as long as a decade. Its duration is dependent on the issuing visa officer.
- Tourist Visa
If you are coming to Canada for pure pleasure, without family support, you can apply for a tourist visa. Most visitors can stay up to 6 months, but it is at the discretion of the immigration officer. The documents required are about the same as for the family visit except for the invitation letter
- Business Visitor Visa
The Canadian business sector is a bubbling one that receives investors from all over the world all year round. This is the reason why a Canadian business visitor visa is important. It allows its holder to stay in Canada for short periods for business activities like training, conferences, and interviews. Business meetings and the likes. It’s important to note that the Canadian visitor visa is not a work permit, to enter the Canadian workforce you need to apply for a work permit separately.
- Transit Visa
The transit visa is a free document given to anyone travelling through a Canadian airport to a final destination. It shows that you are eligible to travel through a Canadian airport and it is valid for 2 entries at most before it expires.
Canadian Visitor Visa Requirements:
The documents required for a Canadian visitor visa varies based on the purpose of travel but we will make a list of all the possible documents you will be required to upload (for online applications) or submit (for physical applications)
- Valid national passport not less than 6 months close to expiry
- 2 recent passport photographs with white background, not more than 90 days old
- Medical clearance certificate
- Bank statement for proof of funds
- Affidavit or a detailed invitation letter from your relatives if you have plans to live with them during your stay.
- Additional documents are required by the local visa office
- Clean photocopy of your return ticket and travel itinerary
- Proof of Covid-19 vaccination or test (depending on the country of the applicant)
- Clean criminal records and no previous immigration-related crimes
More documents may be required at the discretion of Immigration.
The Canadian visitor visa can be applied for online or offline, regardless of the platform you choose to apply through, the application process and steps are more or less the same.