Depending on your nationality, you might need a visitor visa to visit Canada. Even though requirements are frequently changed, this article will help you to find out whether you need a visitor visa and how to apply for it.
Every year, more than 35 million people visit Canada. Visitors come to Canada as tourists, temporary workers and students. Depending on factors such as your country of origin, nationality, nature of the visit and the international agreements between your country of origin and Canada, you may or may not require a visitor visa.
In Canada, the visitor visa is called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV for short. It is issued by Canadian consulates, high commissions and embassies around the world on behalf of and in cooperation with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) include the following categories of visas and permits:
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is Canada’s government body in charge of regulating and providing information on visas for tourists, students, workers, etc. CIC has a standard process for applications made outside of Canada. A standard application form covers the application for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for any of the above categories.
This means that you use a single form to apply for any of the above visas and/or permits. Any consulate, high commission or embassy of Canada will be able to provide you with the necessary information and forms to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa.
Please note that Province of Quebec has a separate process in allocating temporary worker permits and temporary student permits. If you plan to visit Quebec, you will be required to obtain permission from the Quebec immigration office prior to filing a Citizenship and Immigration Canada application. Ask for information in a Canadian consulate or embassy.