Canada · Visitor visa (temporary resident visa)
Canada visitor visa: who needs one and how to apply
In brief
Citizens of the countries and territories on IRCC's visa-required list need a valid visitor visa and a valid passport to visit or transit through Canada. The list marks the countries whose citizens may instead use an eTA for air travel if they meet the conditions.1 The visitor visa page lists the processing fee as $100 per person or $500 for a family of 5 or more, plus a biometrics fee of $85 per person or up to $170 per family where eligible.2 IRCC processes most visitor visa applications in a few weeks or less; times depend on the visa office and on extra steps such as an interview, a medical exam or a police certificate.3
Apply only on the official site: canada.ca. Other websites are not the government's.
Checked 5 Nov 2026Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)Report a change
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsIn brief
- In brief
- At a glance
- Who needs one
- Official website
- Fee
- Fee history
- Biometrics
- Validity and stay
- How to apply
- Processing time
- Temporary measures
- Agents
- Warnings about other sites
- Transit
- Recent changes
- Canada visitor visa for Indian citizens
- Canada visitor visa for Filipino citizens
- Canada visitor visa for UAE citizens
- FAQ
- Sources
- About this page
Canada visitor visa at a glance
| Who needs it | Citizens of the countries and territories on IRCC's visa-required list need a valid visitor visa and a valid passport to visit or transit through Canada. The list marks the countries whose citizens may instead use an eTA for air travel if they meet the conditions.1 |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | The visitor visa fee is CAN$100.00 per person, the same for single and multiple entry; IRCC decides which visa to give.4 |
| Biometrics fee | The biometrics fee is CAN$85.00 per person, a maximum of CAN$170.00 for a family of 2 or more applying at the same time, and a maximum of CAN$255.00 for a group of 3 or more performing artists applying for work permits at the same time.4 |
| Valid for | A visa officer decides whether to issue a single- or multiple-entry visa and its validity: generally up to 10 years, or until the passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.5 |
| Stay per visit | Most visitors can stay up to 6 months; the border services officer may allow less or more and then marks the leave-by date in the passport.6 |
| Where to apply | Applications are made online in the IRCC Portal; fees are paid at the end of the application with a valid credit or debit card.2 |
| Official website | portal-portail.apps.cic.gc.ca7canada.ca8 |
| Decision | IRCC processes most visitor visa applications in a few weeks or less; times depend on the visa office and on extra steps such as an interview, a medical exam or a police certificate.3IRCC's official processing-time tool shows visitor visa times by country of application. The times are not a maximum or a guarantee: an application may take longer.9 |
Who needs a Canada visitor visa
Citizens of the countries and territories on IRCC's visa-required list need a valid visitor visa and a valid passport to visit or transit through Canada. The list marks the countries whose citizens may instead use an eTA for air travel if they meet the conditions.
If you’re a citizen of any of the countries or territories listed below, you need a valid visitor visa and a valid passport to visit or transit through Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026Show the list: 144 countries and territories
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Cuba
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
DR Congo
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macao
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
North Macedonia
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Israel, Romania and Taiwan are on the visa-required list only for certain documents: Israel's “Travel Document in Lieu of National Passport”, Romanian non-electronic passports (such as temporary passports), and Taiwan passports other than an ordinary passport with the personal identification number. Israeli national passports, Romanian electronic passports and Taiwan ordinary passports with the personal identification number are on the eTA list instead.
Israel (Travellers must have a valid Israeli “Travel Document in Lieu of National Passport”.) ... Romania (holder of a non-electronic passport, such as a temporary passport) ... Taiwan (Travellers must have a passport other than an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number.)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026Stateless people and holders of a refugee travel document also need a visa to visit or transit through Canada.
Stateless individuals and those with a refugee travel document also need a visa to visit or transit through Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026A visitor visa is needed for any method of travel, including by air, car, train, bus or boat (including cruise ships).
You need your visitor visa to enter Canada by any method of travel, including by air, arriving at a Canadian airport car, train, bus or boat (including cruise ships)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026Since 26 May 2026, citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia who meet certain requirements may apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa for air travel.
As of May 26, 2026, citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia who meet certain requirements may be eligible to apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa, to travel to Canada by air.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 30 Sep 2026
Official website
portal-portail.apps.cic.gc.ca: where to apply
Use the IRCC Portal to apply for these applications: ... Sign in to the IRCC Portal
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 18 Oct 2026canada.ca: official information
A website might be a fake or a scam if: ... it looks like an official Government of Canada site but it is only in one language and does not have the Canada.ca URL or a URL that ends with “.gc.ca.”
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked
How much a Canada visitor visa costs
The visitor visa fee is CAN$100.00 per person, the same for single and multiple entry; IRCC decides which visa to give.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checkedA family of 5 or more people applying at the same time and place pays a maximum of CAN$500.00 in visa fees; the children must qualify as dependants.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checkedThe visitor visa page lists the processing fee as $100 per person or $500 for a family of 5 or more, plus a biometrics fee of $85 per person or up to $170 per family where eligible.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026
Canada visitor visa fee history
Each amount with the act or notice that set it, newest first.
- From 6 February 2014 the fee for a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) is CAD 100 for single or multiple entry, replacing CAD 75 for a single-entry and CAD 150 for a multiple-entry visa. Set by: Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, SOR/2014-19 (registered 29 January 2014; Canada Gazette, Part II, 12 February 2014), replacing section 296 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227). Government of Canada · checked
- A biometrics fee of CAD 85 was set for temporary resident visa (visitor visa), study permit and work permit applicants who must give biometrics; the requirement began on 4 September 2013 for citizens of Colombia, Haiti and Jamaica, with later 2013 dates for other listed nationalities. Set by: Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, SOR/2013-73 (registered 26 April 2013; Canada Gazette, Part II, 8 May 2013), section 4, adding section 315.1 to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Government of Canada · checked
Biometrics: fingerprints and a photo
The biometrics fee is CAN$85.00 per person, a maximum of CAN$170.00 for a family of 2 or more applying at the same time, and a maximum of CAN$255.00 for a group of 3 or more performing artists applying for work permits at the same time.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checkedUnless exempt, you give fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) when you apply for a visitor visa.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026Exempt from biometrics include Canadian citizens and existing permanent residents (with an exception for some PR card renewals), visa-exempt nationals coming only to visit, heads of state or government, diplomatic or official visa holders, US visa holders transiting through Canada, applicants whose biometrics are on file for a pending PR application, children under 14 and applicants over 79 (no upper age exemption for asylum claimants).
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026Temporary residence applicants give biometrics only once every 10 years, but no visa or permit can be issued for more than 10 years from the date biometrics were given.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026Biometrics are given in person, by appointment, at a visa application centre (or a designated Service Canada office in Canada or a US Application Support Center in the US); booking is free. IRCC tells applicants to find collection sites only through its official website to avoid fraud.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 4 Oct 2026
How long the visa lasts and how long you can stay
A visitor visa (temporary resident visa) is an official document placed in your passport showing that you meet the requirements to travel to Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 14 Oct 2026A visa officer decides whether to issue a single- or multiple-entry visa and its validity: generally up to 10 years, or until the passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 30 Sep 2026Most visitors can stay up to 6 months; the border services officer may allow less or more and then marks the leave-by date in the passport.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked
How to apply for a Canada visitor visa
Apply only on the official site: canada.ca. Other websites are not the government's.
You must apply online; paper applications are only for people who can't apply online (for example because of a disability) or who travel on a document issued to a refugee, a stateless person or a non-citizen.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026Applications are made online in the IRCC Portal; fees are paid at the end of the application with a valid credit or debit card.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026After applying, wait for the biometrics instruction letter and book the biometrics appointment as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your planned travel date; renew it before applying if needed.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026IRCC does not accept any passport issued by Somalia, non-machine-readable Czech passports, South African temporary passports or Venezuelan provisional passports.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026Basic requirements: a valid travel document, good health, no criminal or immigration-related convictions, ties that will take you home, convincing the officer you will leave at the end of the visit, and enough money for the stay.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 30 Sep 2026
How long a Canada visitor visa takes
IRCC processes most visitor visa applications in a few weeks or less; times depend on the visa office and on extra steps such as an interview, a medical exam or a police certificate.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 30 Sep 2026IRCC's official processing-time tool shows visitor visa times by country of application. The times are not a maximum or a guarantee: an application may take longer.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 1 Nov 2026The tool says its estimate includes the time to give biometrics, while the visitor visa page says the processing time does not include it; the official pages disagree.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 1 Nov 2026The visitor visa page says processing times vary by country and do not include the time needed to give biometrics.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 14 Oct 2026
The times change often, so we give no number here: check IRCC's tool for the country you apply from.
Temporary measures
Temporary Ebola measures: foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda are temporarily not permitted to travel to Canada, and IRCC is not finalizing applications from those countries.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 1 Nov 2026IRCC's temporary Ebola measures were extended until November 27, 2026.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026
Immigration agents
If you use an immigration agent (consultant, lawyer or Quebec notary), they must be licensed to represent you or give advice.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 14 Oct 2026IRCC says an immigration agent (consultant, lawyer or Quebec notary) must be licensed to represent you or give advice.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 26 Oct 2026
Official warnings about other sites
Only what governments, regulators and courts have published, quoted word for word. We don't label any website ourselves.
IRCC warns that criminals can copy a real website or build a professional-looking one, and that some websites claim to be official Government of Canada sites or their partners to trick people into paying them money.
It’s easy for criminals to copy a real website or build one that looks professional. Websites may claim to be official Government of Canada sites or their partners. Others may claim to offer special immigration deals or guaranteed high-paying jobs. They do this to trick people into paying them money.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 31 Jul 2026IRCC says a website may be fake if it charges for application forms and guides, which are free on the IRCC website, or if it looks official but does not have the Canada.ca URL or an address ending in “.gc.ca”.
A website might be a fake or a scam if: you are asked to pay to access application forms and guides. IRCC only charges fees to process your application. Forms and guides are free on the IRCC website. ... it looks like an official Government of Canada site but it is only in one language and does not have the Canada.ca URL or a URL that ends with “.gc.ca.”
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checkedIRCC says a website may be a scam if the company’s or representative’s credentials cannot be found on it, and that paid representatives must be authorized, meaning members in good standing of the designated body for their group.
the company’s or representative’s credentials cannot be found on the site. Paid representatives have to be authorized. This means they are a member in good standing of the designated body for their group.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checkedIRCC tells applicants to use its official website to find a visa application centre for biometrics, to avoid fraud.
To avoid fraud, use our official website to find your local visa application centre, Service Canada (Canada only) or a United States (U.S.) Application Support Center (U.S. only) location.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 4 Oct 2026
Transit through Canada
Most travellers need a visitor visa to travel to Canada, and may also need one when transiting through a Canadian airport.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 30 Sep 2026
Recent changes
- Since 26 May 2026, citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia who meet certain requirements may apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa for air travel. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 30 Sep 2026
Canada visitor visa for Indian citizens
Visa required
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checkedIndia is on IRCC's list of countries and territories whose citizens need a visitor visa. Citizens of the countries and territories on IRCC's visa-required list need a valid visitor visa and a valid passport to visit or transit through Canada. The list marks the countries whose citizens may instead use an eTA for air travel if they meet the conditions.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026
Everything for this trip: Canada visa for Indian citizens.
Canada visitor visa for Filipino citizens
Visa required
Or: ETA instead of a visa, only when flying in, if you held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or now hold a valid US nonimmigrant visa. Stay: normally up to 6 months.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checkedThe Philippines is on IRCC's list of countries and territories whose citizens need a visitor visa. Citizens of the countries and territories on IRCC's visa-required list need a valid visitor visa and a valid passport to visit or transit through Canada. The list marks the countries whose citizens may instead use an eTA for air travel if they meet the conditions.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026
Every destination for this passport: Philippines passport.
Canada visitor visa for UAE citizens
ETA, 6 months ETA only when flying in; by land or sea a passport is enough.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checkedThe UAE is not on IRCC's list of countries and territories whose citizens need a visitor visa. Citizens of the countries and territories on IRCC's visa-required list need a valid visitor visa and a valid passport to visit or transit through Canada. The list marks the countries whose citizens may instead use an eTA for air travel if they meet the conditions.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026
Every destination for this passport: United Arab Emirates passport. Canada eTA: who needs one and how to apply
FAQ
How much does a Canada visitor visa cost?
The visitor visa fee is CAN$100.00 per person, the same for single and multiple entry; IRCC decides which visa to give. The biometrics fee is CAN$85.00 per person, a maximum of CAN$170.00 for a family of 2 or more applying at the same time, and a maximum of CAN$255.00 for a group of 3 or more performing artists applying for work permits at the same time. A family of 5 or more people applying at the same time and place pays a maximum of CAN$500.00 in visa fees; the children must qualify as dependants. The visitor visa page lists the processing fee as $100 per person or $500 for a family of 5 or more, plus a biometrics fee of $85 per person or up to $170 per family where eligible.
How long does a Canada visitor visa take?
IRCC processes most visitor visa applications in a few weeks or less; times depend on the visa office and on extra steps such as an interview, a medical exam or a police certificate. IRCC's official processing-time tool shows visitor visa times by country of application. The times are not a maximum or a guarantee: an application may take longer.
Do Indians need a visa for Canada?
Indian citizens: visa required, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, checked 4 Nov 2026. India is on IRCC's list of countries and territories whose citizens need a visitor visa. See Canada visitor visa for Indian citizens.
Do I need to give biometrics for a Canada visitor visa?
Unless exempt, you give fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) when you apply for a visitor visa. Temporary residence applicants give biometrics only once every 10 years, but no visa or permit can be issued for more than 10 years from the date biometrics were given.
How long can I stay in Canada as a visitor?
Most visitors can stay up to 6 months; the border services officer may allow less or more and then marks the leave-by date in the passport. A visa officer decides whether to issue a single- or multiple-entry visa and its validity: generally up to 10 years, or until the passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.
Can I use an eTA instead of a visitor visa?
Citizens of the countries and territories on IRCC's visa-required list need a valid visitor visa and a valid passport to visit or transit through Canada. The list marks the countries whose citizens may instead use an eTA for air travel if they meet the conditions. Since 26 May 2026, citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia who meet certain requirements may apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa for air travel.
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): who needs one, entry rules and by nationality
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): fee, how to apply and temporary measures
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): processing time
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): fee and biometrics
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): who needs one, validity and stay, transit and recent changes
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): validity and stay
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (canada.ca): official website
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC Help Centre, modified 2026-11-03): official website and warnings about other sites
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): processing time and temporary measures
- Government of Canada (Canada Gazette, Part II, regulation and Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement): fee history
- Government of Canada (Canada Gazette, Part II): fee history
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): biometrics
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): biometrics
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): biometrics and warnings about other sites
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): validity and stay, processing time and agents
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): how to apply
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (canada.ca, “Online and telephone immigration scams”): warnings about other sites
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): entry rules
More: Canada entry rules by nationality · Canada eTA · Canada transit visa · Canada for US green card holders · all visa guides.
About this page
By the Visa Almanac editorial team. Every rule, fee and date on this page comes from the official sources listed above, each read on the day shown; where they are silent, we say so. Editorial policy · Change log
- Updated
- 5 Nov 2026
- Last checked
- Official sources
- 18