Visitor Visa

Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)

Every year, Canada welcomes tens of millions of visitors from around the world. You may visit Canada as a tourist, to see family and friends, or to attend business activities or short-term studies.

Whether you plan to stay for a few days or several months, you must meet Canada’s temporary resident requirements and demonstrate that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

Who Needs a Visitor Visa or eTA?

Most foreign nationals need either:

A Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa, TRV), or
An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

to travel to or transit through Canada by air.
Which one you need depends on your citizenship, passport, and travel document.

What Is a Visitor Visa?

A Visitor Visa (TRV) is a document placed in your passport that allows you to travel to Canada and request entry at the border.

It does not guarantee entry — the final decision is always made by the border officer.

Visitor visas can be issued as:

Single-entry visa (allows one entry), or
Multiple-entry visa (allows multiple entries while valid)

Who Can Apply for a Visitor Visa?

Most people who are not:

Canadian citizens
Canadian permanent residents
Or from visa-exempt countries

must apply for a visitor visa.

Important notes:

Canadian citizens
Canadian permanent residents
Or from visa-exempt countries

Why Visitor Visa Applications Are Often Refused

Visitor visas are refused most commonly because the officer is not convinced that the applicant will leave Canada.

Key risk factors include:

Weak home country ties
Poor travel history
Unclear purpose of visit
Financial concerns
Family or immigration ties to Canada
Previous refusals or overstays

Important: Visa Validity Is NOT Guaranteed

Canadian visa officers now issue visitor visas with validity and number of entries based entirely on individual assessment, including:

Your purpose of travel

Your travel history

Your financial situation

Your overall risk profile

Your ties to your home country

Your immigration history

A visa may be issued for a short period or a longer period. There is no default length and no automatic matching to passport expiry.

Length of Stay in Canada

Even if you hold a multiple-entry visa, each stay in Canada is determined by the border officer, usually:

Up to 6 months, or
A shorter or longer period if the officer decides

The officer may also issue a visitor record with a specific departure date.

Single-Entry Visa

A single-entry visa allows you to enter Canada one time only.

It is usually issued when:

The purpose of travel is limited or specific
The applicant qualifies for a fee exemption
The visit is for a special or one-time event
Country-specific or case-specific rules apply

After you leave Canada, you normally need a new visa to return, unless you are only visiting the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon and return within the authorized period.

Visa-Exempt Travellers and eTA

Citizens of visa-exempt countries do not need a visitor visa.

However:

If they travel to Canada by air, they usually need an eTA
If they travel by land or sea, they generally only need their passport

Special cases:

U.S. citizens do not need a visa or eTA and may travel with a valid U.S. passport
U.S. permanent residents (Green Card holders) are visa-exempt but need an eTA to fly to or transit through Canada

How We Help

At PermaLink Immigration, we:

Assess your real approval chances honestly
Identify risk factors before you apply
Design a strong, logical application strategy
Prepare proper supporting documents and explanation letters
Help you avoid wasting refusals and damaging your future record

Apply the Right Way

A visitor visa is not just a form — it is a legal assessment of your intent and credibility.

📞 Contact us before you apply to make sure your case is prepared properly and strategically.