To visit Canada, you will need to apply for a visa. Please note that a visa is not the same as a passport and does not allow you to enter the country; it merely allows you to apply for entry clearance at a Canadian border or any port of entry.
By law, visitors must have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if they fly into Canada or transit through a Canadian airport.
You could be denied entry if you do not have an eTA when arriving in Canada. The visa application process takes about ten minutes and can be done online.
A personal interview may be required before receiving a visa, depending on what type of business the applicant is involved with and how long they have been in their current location.
The consulate can also request additional information or documents, such as educational degrees and diplomas, family background information, bank statements, employment history, health records etc. It usually takes four weeks after all necessary documentation is submitted before the visa can be processed.
Some other requirements for visiting Canada include travelling with financial resources to maintain oneself during their stay in Canada, proof of ongoing medical insurance coverage valid in Canada or other countries visited during the trip and being free from any communicable diseases upon entering.
Any visitors wishing to work while in Canada must provide evidence of suitable accommodations, adequate income that covers living expenses and a job offer in Canada.
Foreign nationals seeking temporary resident status must also submit evidence of ties to their home country and meet the eligibility criteria.
All visitors must provide detailed itineraries, including dates and addresses for where they plan to go within Canada, so officers can identify where each wishes to enter the country.
Tourists who travel to Canada under the Temporary Resident Visa program will only be granted a one-year stay period.
Visitors staying longer than one year in Canada should ensure they apply for Permanent Resident Status.
Once granted, this visa can only be taken away if the person no longer meets the criteria for becoming a permanent resident and decides to leave Canada before two years elapsed since acquiring their permanent residence card.
Suppose a visitor wishes to extend their stay past one year. In that case, they need to file a new application with supporting documents showing why they would like to remain in Canada and detailing how long their requested extension would last.
Citizenship and Immigration Services will review the extension request before granting approval or denial.
