Visitor Visa/ ETA

The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a document issued by a Canadian Immigration Visa Office outside Canada, showing that the holder has satisfied the requirements for admission to Canada as a visitor. TRVs may be for single entry or multiple entry. As a general rule, visitors are admitted for a period of six months. 

Possession of a valid TRV does not necessarily mean that you will be allowed to admit into Canada as a visitor. At the Canadian Port of Entry, all visitors must demonstrate that they are visiting Canada temporarily and have no intentions of staying in Canada permanently. Officers at the Port of Entry can deny admission to all persons who, in their opinion, do not intend to leave Canada at the expiry of their visitor status.

In order to qualify for Canadian Visitor Visa you must:

• Prove the Canadian visa officer that you wish to visit Canada and have no intentions of staying permanently in Canada.

• Demonstrate that you have enough ties to your home country.

• Show that you have enough resources for your visit to Canada and to return home.

• Not work or study in Canada unless authorized to do so.

• Be in good health and be willing to conduct a medical exam if required.

• Not have any criminal record and be willing to get police clearance done if required.

• Not pose any risk to the Canadian security.

TRV is required from countries those are not visa-exempt, however, if you are from one of the countries which do not require a TRV to visit Canada, then you might have to get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The fee for an eTA is CAD $7, and according to their official website, most applications are approved within minutes of applying. You may need to submit documents before your application can be approved. If this happens to you, an email will be sent with instructions within 72 hours.

Applying for the visitor visa is often easier said than done. It is not as straightforward as it appears. You may meet all the requirements for the visitor visa, however, if you do not properly demonstrate that you will exit the country at the end of your authorized stay, visa officer making a decision on your matter will most likely refuse your application.