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2021-02-03T12:00:00

2023-08-25T05:38:00

Plan your unforgettable Canadian adventure with ease! Discover how to apply for a tourist visa to Canada and explore its stunning

Everything You Need to Know About Canada's Tourist Visa

Kelia Losa Reinoso is a qualified content writer with a Master of Arts degree in Journalism and Media Studies

Dreaming of experiencing Canada's breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and diverse culture? Embarking on a journey to this captivating country starts with understanding the ins and outs of obtaining a tourist visa.

Whether you're planning a short visit to reconnect with family, explore stunning natural wonders, or discover urban delights, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to navigate the process seamlessly.

From eligibility criteria and application procedures to travel restrictions and tips for a successful application, we've got you covered. Let us unravel everything you need to know about tourist visas for Canada with your top questions answered below.

Canada's Tourist Visa: Your Questions Answered

You may be wondering how you can visit Canada and what procedure you need to follow. Get ready to uncover all the answers as we dive into the details of tourist visas, from eligibility and application procedures to travel tips and restrictions.

What is Canada’s Tourist Visa?

In essence, it allows you to travel to and around Canada for a limited period, typically up to 6 months. It's important to note that while on a tourist visa, engaging in work or study activities is prohibited, aligning with the visa's intended scope and restrictions. Its primary purpose is to enable tourists to experience Canada's wonders and connect with its way of life.

What is the Difference Between a Tourist Visa and an eTA?

When planning a trip to Canada, it's crucial to understand the distinction between a Tourist Visa and an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). These two entry permits serve different purposes and apply to different travelers.

Tourist Visa

A Tourist Visa, also known as a Visitor Visa, is a traditional visa that allows foreign nationals to enter Canada for a temporary stay, typically up to six months. It's a document placed in your passport and is obtained through a Canadian consulate or embassy. Tourist Visas are typically required for citizens of countries that are not visa-exempt or eligible for an eTA.

eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

An eTA, on the other hand, is an electronic entry requirement designed for visa-exempt foreign nationals who are traveling to Canada by air. It's a simpler and faster way to gain entry clearance than a full-fledged visa. The eTA is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It's crucial to note that the eTA is only applicable if you're flying to Canada; if you're arriving by land or sea, you won't need an eTA.

How do I Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa?

Step 1: Complete Online Application

Visit the official Canadian immigration website and fill out the tourist visa application form accurately.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Collect necessary documents such as a valid passport, travel itinerary, proof of funds, travel history, and a letter of invitation (if applicable).

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the required visa application fee through the online portal using a valid payment method.

Step 4: Biometrics Appointment

Schedule and attend a biometrics appointment at a local Application Support Center (ASC) if instructed.

Step 5: Submit Application

Submit your completed application form and supporting documents online through the official portal.

Step 6: Wait for Processing

Wait for your application to be processed. This may take several weeks, so be patient.

Step 7: Attend Visa Interview (if required)

If asked, attend an interview at the nearest Canadian consulate or embassy.

Step 8: Receive Visa Decision

You will be notified of the visa decision. If approved, follow the instructions to receive your passport with the visa.

What Documents Do I Need For a Tourist Visa?

How much does the canadian tourist visa cost.

A Canadian tourist visa otherwise known as a visitor visa or even a temporary resident visa costs CAD100 and allows you to stay in Canada for up to 6 months but is valid for ten years or until your passport expires. If it’s your first time applying for a Canadian visa, you must include your biometrics (fingerprints and photos) at an additional cost of CAD85.

Who is Eligible for a Canada eTA?

If you are a citizen of a country that is visa-exempt in Canada, then you are eligible for an eTA and you will need one to in order to get into the country. Those who are not visa-exempt will need to apply for tourist visas. The list of eTA eligible countries are listed in the table below:

How Do I Apply for an eTA?

Step 1: visit the official website.

Go to the official Canadian government website dedicated to eTA applications.

Step 2: Check Eligibility

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for an eTA. Most travelers from visa-exempt countries require an eTA to enter Canada by air.

Step 3: Gather Documents

Have your valid passport, a credit card, and your travel details ready.

Step 4: Start Application

Begin the online application by providing personal information, passport details, and travel plans.

Step 5: Answer Questions

Respond to a few questions about your health, criminal history, and travel purposes.

Step 6: Submit Payment

Pay the eTA processing fee using a credit card. The fee is typically lower than a traditional visa.

Step 7: Review and Submit

Carefully review the information you've provided before submitting the application.

Step 8: Wait for Approval

In most cases, you'll receive a decision within minutes. However, it's recommended to apply at least a few days before your departure.

Step 9: Check Your Email

If approved, you'll get an email with your eTA confirmation. It's electronically linked to your passport.

Step 10: Travel to Canada

Board your flight to Canada. When you arrive, the airline staff will verify your eTA before you can board.

Does Canada have any COVID-19 Travel Restrictions?

As of October 1, 2022, the border measures related to COVID-19 have ceased for all individuals arriving or coming back to Canada via air, land, or sea.

Top Tourist Destinations in Canada

Now that you know how to visit Canada, let’s get you excited about traveling around the Great White North. Whether you’re exploring Canada with a group tour or planning your own itinerary, here are some of the must-see sights in Canada.

The Cabot Trail is one of the Seven Wonders of Canada and is located in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. With 26 hiking trails that range from easy strolls to challenging climbs - all leading to panoramic views of canyons, highlands, waterfalls, and coastlines, you have plenty of hiking adventures to plan in Cape Breton.

Ski at Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America located in Whistler, British Columbia. Plan your ski trip from January to March right in time for fresh snowfall and the best skiing and/or snowboarding experience. The resort further offers sophisticated lounge-style restaurants and bars where you can feast with incredible views of Blackcomb Mountain.

Sightsee in Old Montreal

If hiking and action-packed snow activities do not tickle your fancy, you might enjoy exploring the quaint cobblestone streets and architecture from the 16th century in Montreal - Quebec’s largest-French speaking city. A visit to the city is not complete without a stop at the Notre-Dame Basilica and Habitat 67. And don’t forget to indulge your sweet tooth with a frozen maple syrup lollipop from Sugar Shack.

Take a Cruise to Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls are world-famous waterfalls situated in Ontario, Niagara Falls. It’s one of the top tourist destinations in Canada, and for good reason. The thundering of 3,160 tons of water every second gives any spectator goosebumps. You can choose how you want to experience this natural world wonder with many unique and exciting activities that can be pre-booked on Tripadvisor, like a cruise that takes you as close as possible to the falls.

Inside Banff National Park you’d discover plenty of gems, including Lake Louise. The famous crystal clear turquoise water makes it one of the most Instragrammable lakes in the world. Canoeing is an iconic activity for travelers visiting Canada, and for CAD105, you and three friends can hire a canoe for one hour to paddle across Lake Louise, take in incredible nature, and spot small creatures in the park.

Chill at a Hip Gastown Bar in Van-City

Gastown is Vancouver's oldest neighborhood that seamlessly combines old style with contemporary elements. It’s home to the hottest restaurants and bars, making it a great pick for an incredible night out. You’ll also enjoy shopping at the city's independent fashion boutiques and modern gift stores while exploring the many art galleries that line the cobblestone streets.

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Canadian Visit Visa Fees and Cost

A record breaking 21.13 million international citizens visited Canada in 2018, an increase from 20.8 million in 2017, according to an article by Destination Canada. Each year tourist visit to the country contribute approximately $102.5 billion to the economy! In fact, 2018 was the fifth consecutive year of a consistent increase in arrivals to the country. New flight routes and changes in the Canadian visa helped push the numbers up.

Planning to visit this unique nation begins with filling up the Canadian Visa Application Form online. For this, you need to create an account, through which all the formalities can be completed. You can also submit the form in person at the Canadian embassy in your home country. Most travelers entering Canada require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization. The visa lets you stay for a period of up to six months. 

Apply Online

💡 Tip: Buy travel health insurance before your trip.

Check out popular travel insurance plans and choose one that suits you.

Most plans only cost less than $20 a day.

What’s the Cost & Fees of Canadian Visa

Along with the visa fee, you also need to pay a processing fee. This is basically the Embassy Fees for Canada. The amount is determined by the type of visa you are applying for: 

• Temporary Residence Fee
• Permanent Residence Fee
• Family Sponsorship Fee
• Citizenship Fee
• Service Fee

Here’s a look at the various visa fees for temporary residence for international travelers to Canada: 

Canada Visitor Visa Fees 

Canadian visa – electronic travel authorization fees, canadian visa – work permit fees, canadian visa – study permit fees, canadian visa – biometric fees.

The biometric fee is part of your visa cost. Costs of digital photo and fingerprint are covered under this. Apart from this, if you have submitted the visa at the Visa Application Center, the core service costs are included.

How to Pay Canada Visa Application Fees

In order to pay the fees, you need a valid email address, access to a printer and a credit or Canadian debit card. After the payment is done online, print the receipt. Make sure the barcode is visible. Remember that the only method of payment is online.

The visa fee is non-refundable, under all circumstances. In case of visa rejection, the fee needs to be paid one again when reapplying. There are no exemptions in such cases. If you are a visa exempt visitor, applying for a super visa, you are not required to make any payments.

The next step after payment of the fees is to submit all the documents at your nearest Canadian embassy.

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Canadian Immigration Processing Fees

A standard set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), government processing fees must be submitted along with most visa applications. These fees are the same regardless of your nationality or country of origin.

The government processing fees for a permanent or temporary resident visa will depend on the number family of members that are accompanying the principal applicant, and are separate from any fees paid to an authorized representative, such as an attorney. Please note these fees are subject to change by IRCC without notice.

Permanent Residence Fees

Permanent residence fees vary from program to program, depending on the immigration stream to which you apply.  Applicants should note that once their application has been approved, they will be required to submit a payment for the Right of Permanent Residence Fee , a separate fee that must be paid by all approved applicants, regardless of which program they apply under.

Business Immigration Processing Fees

Economic immigration processing fees.

The following processing fees apply to:

• Quebec Skilled Workers
• Provincial Nominee Programs
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot
• Federal Skilled Workers

Family Sponsorship Processing Fees

Right of permanent residence fee.

The fees listed above do not include the $500 Right of Permanent Residence fee (RPFR), which must be paid once an application for permanent residence has been approved. This fee applies to all applicants and/or sponsored persons who are not dependent children or protected persons. The RPFR may be paid along with with required processing fees at the time of applying to avoid delays. In the event an application for permanent residence is denied and the applicant has prepaid the RPFR, this fee will be refunded. Note that all other processing fees are non-refundable .

Citizenship Processing Fees

Temporary residence fees.

Similar to how permanent residence processing fees vary from program to program, temporary resident fees will differ depending on the type of visa.

Visitor Visa Processing Fees

Electronic travel authorization (eta) processing fees.

Visa-exempt travellers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents will be subject to a $7 electronic Travel Authorization fee. The eTA does not guarantee entry to Canada, and may be valid for up to five years.

Work Permit Processing Fees

Study permit processing fees, biometrics fees.

Every person submitting the following applications, must include fingerprints and a photo (biometrics):

• Work or Study Permit (excluding US nationals)
• Permanent Residence
• Refugee or Asylum

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Pay your fees

Our permanent residence fees have increased

The fees for all permanent residence applications increased on April 30, 2024. If you paid your fees before April 30, but have not yet submitted your complete application, you will need to pay the difference .

You can pay your fees in different ways depending on the fee type and where you are paying from. Answer the questions below to get payment instructions.

How to pay your fees

What type of application are you submitting?

What are you paying for?

• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
• International Experience Canada (working holiday, international co-op or young professionals)
• Restoration of temporary resident status
• Study permit (including extensions)
• Temporary resident permit
• Visitor visa (including super visa) or to extend your stay
• Work permit (including extensions)

Which permanent residence program or document are you applying for?

• Agri-food pilot
• Atlantic immigration program
• an Express Entry application
• adding a spouse or dependent child after I already applied
• Right of permanent residence fee (RPRF)
• Health-care worker permanent residence pathway
• Humanitarian and compassionate
• Pathway to permanent residence - Family reunification for Ukrainian nationals
• Pathway to permanent residence – In-Canada families of Canadian victims of recent air disasters
• Permanent resident card
• Permanent resident travel document
• Permit holders class
• Protected person
• Provincial nominee — not Express Entry
• Quebec business immigration program
• Quebec-selected skilled workers
• Right of permanent residence fee — not Express Entry
• Rural and northern immigration pilot
• Self-employed people
• Start-up visa
• Temporary public policy for Hong Kong residents
• Temporary public policy to further facilitate access to permanent resident status for out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
• Temporary resident to permanent resident pathway (TR to PR Pathway)
• Adopted children and other relatives
• Parents and grandparents
• Spouse, partner or children
• Adult (18 and over)
• Minor (under 18)
• Stateless adult (18 or over) born to Canadian parent
• Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)
• Search for your record of citizenship
• Renounce your citizenship
• Resume your citizenship
• Access to information request
• Authorization to return to Canada
• Rehabilitation
• Employer compliance
• Verify your status or replace an immigration document
• Study permit
• Visitor visa (including super visa)
• Work permit
• Temporary Public Policy for Out-of-Status Construction Workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Top questions about paying your fees

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• I got a refund but it was not the same amount I paid. Why?

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Find out how to request a refund and which fees are eligible.

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IRCC Deputy Minister Transition Binder 2024 – Temporary Immigration: How Visitors Come to Canada

[ Redacted ] appears where sensitive information has been removed in accordance with the principles of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act .

• International tourism generated approximately $16B in 2022. Visitor volumes fluctuate, but the overall trend has been upward year-over-year.
• All foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada are screened for inadmissibility (health, security and criminality). Nearly all visitors are screened before they travel; the level of screening corresponds to the perceived level of risk and is determined largely by a traveller’s nationality.
• Visitors generate tourism revenue, reunite friends and family, and also promote social and cultural connections.
• Visa policy is politically sensitive: lifting a visa communicates trust and partnership, imposing a visa negatively impacts bilateral relationships.

Current Program

• Screening aims to “push the border out,” manage migration, and protect the health, safety and security of Canadians.
• Screening aims to issue visas only to genuine visitors who can support themselves during their temporary stay in Canada, and will not remain in Canada without status.
• All inadmissibility assessments require a case-by-case analysis based on the facts of the case and the evidence before the decision maker.
• Cases may be flagged for additional screening based on information provided by the individual applying to come to Canada, security screening indicators or any adverse information that may be flagged in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) or the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) systems. IRCC may refer such cases to the CBSA or the Canadian Security Intelligence Service for a more in-depth review.
• By law, all visitors require a visa to travel to Canada, unless otherwise exempt.
• Higher risk nationals must apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) and enrol their biometrics (fingerprints and photograph).
• Lower risk nationals travelling to or through Canada by air must apply online for a light-touch electronic travel authorization (eTA).
• Application: Collects comprehensive details and supporting documents
• Screening: Requires biometrics; includes an assessment of a traveller’s intent
• Review: Manual review by officer; passport and TRV counterfoil physically inspected
• Validity: Up to 10 years; multiple entries (in majority of cases)
• Fee: $100 + $85 biometric fee
• China and India are the top visa-required source countries
• Application: Fully digital; collects basic, self-declared traveller information
• Screening: Light-touch (for example, known immigration history)
• Review: Most applications automatically approved by system in minutes
• Validity: Up to five years; multiple entries
• United Kingdom, France and Mexico are the top eTA source countries

Visa Policy Framework

• safety and security concerns
• passport integrity
• bilateral benefits
• the performance of the traveller population in question (for example, asylum claims and visa refusals)

Recent Developments

• On June 6, 2023, Canada lifted the visa on known travellers Footnote 1 from 13 countries to support post-pandemic economic recovery and tailor visitor screening more toward individualized risk (beyond just a traveller’s nationality). These countries include the Philippines, Thailand, Morocco, Seychelles, Argentina, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Panama, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. These are considered “partial visa lifts” because now, these countries produce two streams of visitors: those who need a visa, and those who only need an eTA.
• [ Redacted ]

Visitors Program Modernization

• Improving how visitors, students and workers come to Canada will be an early deliverable under the Digital Platform Modernization initiative and will allow IRCC to keep up with increasing temporary resident volumes. IRCC will shift away from primarily issuing physical documents to issuing digital visas and immigration permits, while improving the data the Department uses for screening.
• A shift to digital visas and immigration permits is critical to our ability to effectively respond to a crisis, better support clients’ needs and expectations for modern digital services, and reduce the Department’s reliance on outdated paper processes that add to processing times. Clients would no longer wait without their passports while we add a visa counterfoil sticker and instead could travel as soon as we approve their application. At the border, it means shorter wait times as arriving international students and workers would no longer need to be sent to a CBSA officer to print a paper immigration permit.
• Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom already issue digital visas, while the United States and the European Union are moving ahead with this approach. This underscores the need for Canada to keep pace in a tight market for international tourism and the attraction of talent.
• To strengthen program integrity while shifting to digital visas and permits, IRCC is seeking to introduce a digital capture feature to accurately collect clients’ biographic passport information and verify the authenticity of their travel documents remotely.
• The Department is also working with the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and INTERPOL to increase immigration information sharing to better screen our clients based on their interactions with our closest allies, and to ensure they hold legitimate travel documents.

Advice And Representation

• Many foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada receive advice or representation from an immigration or citizenship representative, including immigration and citizenship consultants. Canada has taken decisive action to improve oversight, strengthen enforcement, and increase accountability among consultants.
• IRCC is supporting the development and implementation of a new governance regime for consultants. The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants is an arm’s-length body that is mandated under the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act (College Act) to regulate consultants. It opened on November 23, 2021, and is subject to government oversight. The full implementation of the governance regime requires the development by the Department of regulations pursuant to the College Act (anticipated in 2025).
• The Department is also developing an administrative penalties and consequences regime which will allow IRCC to issue monetary penalties to consultants, lawyers and unauthorized practitioners who violate the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or the Citizenship Act while providing advice or representation. The regime is anticipated to take effect in 2025 through amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and Citizenship Regulations.

Upcoming Milestones

• Canada is pursuing visitor screening based on the individual risk posed by each traveller. Today’s visa policy is largely based on nationality, but countries do not fit neatly into two risk categories—all countries contain lower- and higher-risk travellers.
• In response to increased visitor demand and modern client expectations, IRCC recognizes that a shift to the digital delivery of visas and permits is necessary to remain competitive. Initial stakeholder engagement with the air industry and Canada’s M5 partners is underway; the goal is to launch a digital visa pilot in 2025.

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