Canada Visitor Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

🇨🇦 Canada Visitor Visa Guide:  Eligibility  ·  Documents Required  ·  Processing Time  ·  Application Process  ·  FAQs

Canada Visitor Visa (TRV) FAQs for Indian Nationals

Do Indian nationals need a visa to visit Canada?

Yes. Indian passport holders require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada. A TRV can be issued as a single- or multiple-entry visa and may be valid for up to 10 years or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first; the visa officer decides the entry type and validity (see IRCC entry requirements by country).

How much bank balance is required for a Canada visitor visa?

IRCC does not specify a fixed minimum. You need to show you have enough money to cover your stay, return travel, and expenses without working in Canada. There is no official amount, so any figure quoted online is not an IRCC rule. IRCC asks for at least 6 months of account details, including balances, to understand your financial situation; large unexplained deposits can raise questions. See our proof of funds guide.

How long does Canada visitor visa processing take?

IRCC publishes visitor visa processing times by country and they change over time, so use IRCC's processing times tool for the current estimate. IRCC says its times are not a maximum or a guarantee and an application may take longer. Biometrics, requests for more documents and passport return are separate steps to plan for; our processing time guide explains each stage. Apply well ahead of your travel date.

What are the most common reasons for Canada visitor visa refusal?

Refusal letters commonly relate to whether the officer was satisfied that the applicant will leave Canada at the end of their stay (for example ties to home, purpose of travel or financial position), incomplete documents, or admissibility concerns. The letter states the grounds on your file, so read it carefully before deciding whether and how to reapply. See our refusal reasons guide.

Can I apply for a Canada visitor visa if I've been refused a US or UK visa?

Yes. A refusal from the US or UK does not automatically affect your Canada TRV application. However, you must disclose previous refusals on the Canadian application form — not disclosing them can be treated as misrepresentation.

What is the Canada visitor visa fee?

IRCC lists the visitor visa processing fee as CAD $100 per person (CAD $500 for a family of 5 or more). The biometrics fee is separate: CAD $85 for an individual, or up to CAD $170 for a family applying together, unless you are exempt. Check IRCC's How to apply for a visitor visa page for current fees.

Is there a Canada Super Visa for parents?

Yes. The Canada Super Visa is a multi-entry visa specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, allowing stays of up to 5 years per visit. See our Canada Super Visa eligibility guide for details.

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More Questions About Canada Visitor Visa

Rules are easier to follow with a real file in view: the retired applicant visiting an adult child and the salaried applicant attending a wedding show how stay length, funds and return plans were documented.

Can I work in Canada on a visitor visa?

No. A Canada visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa — TRV) does not authorise any form of employment, whether paid or unpaid. Working without a valid work permit is a violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and can result in visa cancellation, deportation, and a ban from Canada. If you wish to work in Canada, you must apply for a work permit through the appropriate stream before undertaking any employment activities.

How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?

A Canada visitor visa can be issued for up to 10 years (or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever is earlier) and may allow single or multiple entries. However, the actual duration of each stay is determined by the border officer at the port of entry — they stamp your passport with an authorised stay period, typically up to 6 months. Your visa may be valid for 10 years but you are only permitted to stay for the period granted each time you enter. Always check your entry stamp carefully.

Can I extend my stay in Canada on a visitor visa?

Yes — you can apply to extend your authorised stay from inside Canada by applying online through the IRCC portal. You must submit the extension request at least 30 days before your current stay expires. If you apply on time, you can continue to stay while your extension is being processed (this is known as "maintained status"). You will need to provide a valid reason for the extension, proof of sufficient funds, and demonstrate genuine intent to depart Canada once your extended stay ends.

Do I need biometrics for a Canada visitor visa?

Yes — most applicants, including most Indian passport holders, must provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) with a first visitor visa application; children under 14 and applicants over 79 are exempt. You pay the biometrics fee (CAD 85 per person, or up to a maximum of CAD 170 for a family applying together) with the application, then receive a biometrics instruction letter. You have 30 days from the date on the letter to give your biometrics at a Visa Application Centre; in India you book an appointment through the website of your chosen centre (IRCC's where to give biometrics page lists the locations). Once given, your biometrics remain valid for 10 years, and you generally do not need to give them again for each application while they are valid, unless IRCC tells you otherwise. See our biometrics guide.

What is the processing time for Canada visitor visa from India?

IRCC's processing time for an application from India depends on the volume of applications it is handling and on your file. IRCC's processing times tool measures from the day IRCC receives your complete application until it makes a decision, and IRCC says the estimate is not a maximum or a guarantee. Other timing factors to plan for include biometrics appointment availability, any request for more documents, and passport submission and return after a decision; check IRCC's notes on how biometrics time is counted for your application type. Apply well ahead of your travel date.

Official sources: IRCC – How to apply for a visitor visa, visitor visa eligibility, biometrics, processing times, how long you can stay as a visitor. IRCC decides every application; IndoWorld Visa & Education Services helps applicants prepare but cannot guarantee a visa. Related guides: eligibility, documents required and invitation letter.

🇨🇦 Canada Visitor Visa Guide:  Eligibility  ·  Documents Required  ·  Processing Time  ·  Application Process  ·  FAQs

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