Canada Visitor Visa

The Visitor Visa is divided into two types: multiple entry and single entry visas.

Every visa applicant is automatically considered for multiple entry visas by default. A multiple entry visa allows for unlimited travel in and out of Canada for six months at a time. It will be valid for up to 10 years or one month before your passport expires, whichever occurs sooner. You must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date on your visa.

Meanwhile, a single entry visa only allows you to travel into Canada once. You may only be eligible for a single entry visa if:

• you are eligible for a fee-exemption and the purpose of your entry to Canada is limited (such as, for an official visit by a foreign national)
• you are taking part in a one-time special event in Canada
• there are approved country-specific procedures or guidelines in place.

In most cases, once you have left Canada, you will need to reapply for another visa to enter Canada again.

As a visitor visa applicant, the documents you will need to provide will vary based on the reasons for your visit.

In addition, most applicants will need to qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption. This means that you must have had 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine accepted for travel, or a mix of 2 accepted vaccines, or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 14 days before the date of travel.

You must upload proof of your vaccination status to your ArriveCAN online account prior to travel.

As an example, the following documents will be included in a visa application for a fully vaccinated tourist:

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination status (uploaded to ArriveCAN)
• ArriveCAN receipt (electronic or paper)
• Identity document, such as a valid passport from the list of approved countries
• Completed Family information (IMM 5645) form
• Use of a representative (IMM 5476) (only if a family member is applying on behalf of the applicant or third parties)
• Minor children documents (documents needed depend if the child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone)

Furthermore the following items are considered optional to include in the visa process, but may help prove that you are eligible for a visitor visa:

• Travel history and history of previously issued visas
• Itinerary for stay, such as flight and hotel details and registrations for events
• Bank account statements (to prove your ability to financially support yourself during your stay)
• Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475)

It is important to know what documents you need to submit during the visitor visa Canada application process. You should also complete the Document Checklist [IMM 5484] form and include it in with your application form and supporting documents.

If you are between the ages of 14 and 79 and it is your first time applying for a Visitor Visa, it may be the case that you will need to provide biometric information to support your application.

Typically, you will need to give your biometrics after you submit your application, pay the biometrics fee, and hear from the Canadian government about what to do next.

The biometrics fee is typically $CAN 85 per person.

You will normally have to make an appointment at an official visa office known as a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in order to supply your biometrics. There are several VACs located internationally. During your appointment, they will typically collect the following information from you:

• Biographic data: Name, date of birth, and other personal details of an applicant as listed on the biographic data page of the applicant’s passport or travel document
• 10 fingerprints: Fingerprints of the applicant, captured electronically during the biometrics collection session, using an electronic fingerprint-capture device
• Photograph: A digital photograph of the applicant

People applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) will generally not need to provide biometrics.