you want to travel to Canada, but aren’t sure if you want to spend a long time there? Do you plan to do tourism for a couple of weeks, but don’t know what type of visa you should get?
The tourist visa, or visitor visa, is the best solution if you want to travel to Canada for less than six months. However, depending on your nationality, you may not need to apply for a visa to enter the country.
What is the Canadian visitor visa?
If you want to travel to Canada, you will need a visa or a tourist permit, which allows you to travel around the country for a while. A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document that shows that you meet the necessary requirements to enter the country.
The vast majority of travelers need a visitor visa to travel to and live in Canada. You may even need to get one of these visas if you are simply transiting through a Canadian airport on your way to your final destination.
With this type of visa, as a general rule, you can stay in the country for up to six months. Upon your arrival, the border services officer can decide whether to grant you a stay of 6 months or less, although this is not usually the case.
They will usually simply mark your passport with the date by which you must leave the country.
What will I need? A tourist visa or an eTA (Electronic Transit Authorization)?
Before applying for a Canadian tourist or visitor visa, make sure you need one. You can check it through this link. Depending on your nationality and the document you will be using to use to travel, there may be two different possibilities:
- That you need a tourist or visitor visa.
- That you need an Electronic Transit Authorization (eTA).
Although both documents serve the same function, they are not exactly the same. You will have to dedicate a little more time to the process, if you want to apply for a tourist visa or Visitor Visa.
In the event that you only need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), you should not apply for a tourist visa. This authorization will be electronically linked to your passport while you are in the country. Some of the countries that only require eTA’s are Spain, Chile and Mexico.
In case you need to get a tourist visa, the process will take a little more time, but not exceedingly so. You can complete the application online.
When you start doing the process online, you may be asked to submit your fingerprints and photograph, depending on your country of origin. Similarly, the speed at which you receive confirmation that your visa is granted will vary depending on your nationality.
How much does a Canadian tourist visa cost?
If you want to get a tourist visa to enter Canada, you will have to pay at least $100 Canadian dollars. Prices vary slightly depending on your country of origin.
If all you need is an eTA, the application will only cost $7 Canadian dollars and you will most likely receive the approval notification in your email a few minutes after you complete the online process.
What am I entitled to as a tourist in Canada?
- The right to study for a maximum from 6 months.
- The right to travel for business purposes
- The right to visit friends and relatives who live in Canada.
- The right to travel to and from Canadawithout restriction.
Who is eligible for a tourist visa in Canada?
To obtain a visitor visa, some basic requirements must be met:
- Have a valid travel document, like a passport.
- Be in good health.
- Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions.
- Convince an immigration officer that you have ties, such as a job, a home, or financial or family assets, that will draw you back to your home country.
- Convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit.
- Have enough money for your stay . The amount of money you will need will depend on how long you will be staying, and whether you will be staying in a hotel or with friends or family.
- You may also need a medical examination and a letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.
Who is not admissible to Canada?
Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You may be inadmissible for a number of reasons, including being involved in:
- Some type of criminal activity.
- Human rights violations.
- Organized crime.
You may also be turned away for security, health or financial reasons.
How should I apply for a tourist visa in Canada?
To apply for a visa, the best option is to complete the entire process online. You can start the process by clicking here. Why do we recommend that you do it over the Internet?
- The consular officers automatically receive your request.
- Processing time is much shorter than by physical mail.
- Incomplete applications are returned. The online application process helps ensure that your application is complete before you can submit it.
- If they need more documents from you, you can quickly submit them online.
- You can check on the status of your application by signing into your account.
When you complete the online process…
You will most likely need submit your fingerprints and photograph (biometrics).
After paying the biometric fee and submitting the application, they will send you a message requesting your biometric data. The letter will tell you how and where you should give your biometric data. You have up to 30 days to provide your biometric data (photo and fingerprints), in person.
You may also be asked to go to an interview with Canadian officials in your home country, submit additional information, or obtain a medical examination and/or a criminal background check.
Most visa applications are processed within a few weeks. Processing times depend on the visa office and if any additional steps need to be taken.
If your application is approved, the visa will be stamped inside your passport.
We hope this article has guided you on which steps to take to secure a tourist visa for Canada.
If you have any questions, please contact us!
