🇨🇦 IRCC Visitor Visa (TRV), eTA & Visitor Record Guide 2026
Canada Tourist Visa & eTA Visitor Entry Guide 2026
Understand which Canadian entry document you need, current 2026 fees, eTA and visitor-visa validity, visitor-stay limits, biometrics, application requirements, and how to extend visitor status from inside Canada.
1. Do you need a Canadian eTA or visitor visa?
Canada does not use one universal visitor document for everyone. The entry document depends on the traveller's citizenship or nationality, passport or travel document, and method of travel. Most travellers need either a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa or TRV) or an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), but not both.
Do not decide between a TRV and eTA from a simplified list of nationality alone. Use IRCC's current 'Check if you need a visa or eTA' tool because citizenship, travel mode and travel document can change the answer.
Decision Framework
travellerType: Citizen of an eTA-required country travelling to Canada by air
usualDocument: eTA and valid passport
importantRule: No visitor visa is normally required for the flight, provided the traveller is otherwise eligible.
travellerType: Citizen of an eTA-required country arriving by car, bus, train or boat
usualDocument: Valid passport
importantRule: An eTA is generally not required for entry by land or sea.
travellerType: Citizen of a visa-required country
usualDocument: Visitor visa and valid passport
importantRule: Some citizens of selected visa-required countries may instead qualify for an eTA when flying if they meet all special eligibility conditions.
travellerType: Citizen of a selected visa-required country with previous Canadian visa or qualifying U.S. non-immigrant visa
usualDocument: Potentially an eTA when flying
importantRule: The traveller must meet every special eTA condition. If any condition is not met, a visitor visa is required.
travellerType: U.S. citizen
usualDocument: Proper U.S. travel documentation, normally a valid U.S. passport
importantRule: U.S. citizens are exempt from the Canadian eTA and visitor-visa requirement.
travellerType: U.S. lawful permanent resident
usualDocument: Valid passport or acceptable travel document plus valid proof of U.S. permanent-resident status
importantRule: U.S. lawful permanent residents are exempt from the eTA requirement and do not normally need a visitor visa.
travellerType: Canadian citizen, including dual Canadian citizen
usualDocument: Valid Canadian passport for air travel
importantRule: Canadian citizens cannot apply for an eTA or Canadian visitor visa for entry as a Canadian citizen.
travellerType: Canadian permanent resident
usualDocument: Valid PR card or Permanent Resident Travel Document, as applicable
importantRule: Canadian permanent residents do not use an eTA or visitor visa to return to Canada as permanent residents.
Important2026 ChangeAs of May 26, 2026, eligible citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia can qualify for the special eTA pathway instead of a visitor visa when flying, if they meet the stated requirements. Other selected visa-required countries also have conditional eTA eligibility.
2. eTA versus visitor visa: 2026 comparison
An eTA is an electronic travel authorization mainly used by visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to or transiting through Canada by air. A visitor visa is a temporary resident visa placed in a passport for travellers who require one. They serve different entry-document functions and neither guarantees admission to Canada.
| Feature | eTA | Visitor visa (TRV) |
|---|---|---|
| Current base fee | C$7 | C$100 per person |
| Main use | Air travel or air transit for eligible eTA travellers | Travel or transit where a visitor visa is required |
| Validity | Up to 5 years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first | Officer decides validity; generally up to 10 years or until the passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first |
| Typical processing | Most approved within minutes; some take several days | Varies by country and application; check IRCC's current processing-time tool |
| Biometrics | Not required for an eTA application | May be required, depending on the applicant and applicable exemption |
| Does it guarantee entry? | No | No |
| Can the traveller work or study just because they have it? | No | No |
Key Points
- An eTA is electronically linked to the passport used for the application. If you get a new passport, you generally need a new eTA.
- A valid visitor visa does not itself authorize a specific length of stay. The border services officer determines the authorized period at entry.
- A visitor visa can be single-entry or multiple-entry. The officer decides which type to issue.
- Most eligible visitors can travel repeatedly during an eTA's validity, but each entry remains subject to Canadian admissibility and temporary-resident requirements.
3. Current 2026 visitor visa fees and biometrics
The standard Canadian visitor-visa processing fee is C$100 per person. IRCC also has a family maximum of C$500 when a family of 5 or more qualifying members applies at the same time and place. Biometrics are a separate charge when required.
Biometrics Notes
- Not every visitor-visa applicant must provide biometrics; eligibility and exemptions depend on the applicant.
- Biometrics fees are not part of the C$7 eTA fee.
- A family applying together can qualify for the applicable biometrics maximum instead of paying an unlimited C$85 per person.
- IRCC's fee list is the authoritative source if fees change.
4. How long can a visitor stay in Canada?
Most visitors can stay in Canada for up to 6 months. This is an authorization-of-stay rule, not a statement about how long the entry visa remains valid. A border services officer can authorize a shorter or longer period and can record the required departure date.
Stay Rules
- If the officer stamps your passport and gives a departure date, you must leave by that date.
- If the officer issues a visitor record, the expiry date on that document controls your authorized stay.
- If there is no passport stamp and no visitor record, most visitors can stay for up to 6 months from the date of entry, subject to the applicable passport and status rules.
- A multiple-entry visitor visa that remains valid for several years does not give the holder permission to remain continuously in Canada for that entire visa-validity period.
- The visitor must continue to meet the conditions of temporary residence and must leave by the end of the authorized stay unless their status is lawfully extended or changed.
5. Visitor visa validity is not the same as a 10-year guaranteed visa
Canadian visitor-visa applicants are considered for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, and the visa officer decides the type and period of validity. IRCC states that a visitor visa may generally be valid for up to a maximum of 10 years, or until the expiry of the applicant's passport or biometrics, whichever comes first.
Validity Rules
- A 10-year validity period is a maximum, not an entitlement.
- The officer has discretion over whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.
- The officer also decides how long the visa remains valid within the applicable maximum.
- A passport expiring earlier can shorten the visa's effective validity.
- Biometrics expiry can also affect the maximum visa validity under IRCC's current rule.
- Visa validity does not determine the length of an individual stay in Canada.
6. Visitor visa eligibility and evidence you should prepare
IRCC assesses whether a visitor meets the temporary-resident requirements. The applicant generally needs a valid travel document, must be admissible, must satisfy the officer that they will leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay, and must have enough money for the proposed visit. The amount of money required varies with factors such as trip length and accommodation arrangements.
There is no fixed universal bank-balance number that guarantees a visitor visa. IRCC expressly notes that the money required depends on factors such as the length of the stay and whether the applicant will stay in a hotel or with relatives or friends.
Eligibility Factors
factor: Purpose of visit
whatToExplain: Describe tourism, family visit, conference, business meeting or another legitimate temporary purpose clearly and consistently.
factor: Ties outside Canada
whatToShow: Evidence such as employment, business, home, financial assets, family responsibilities or other circumstances demonstrating meaningful reasons to return.
factor: Financial capacity
whatToShow: Evidence that you can reasonably pay for the proposed trip, taking into account duration, accommodation and other expenses.
factor: Travel history
whatToShow: Previous visas, passports and compliant travel can provide useful context where applicable, but no single travel-history pattern guarantees approval.
factor: Admissibility
whatToConsider: Criminal, security, medical, financial and other inadmissibility provisions can affect eligibility.
factor: Consistency
whatToCheck: Your application, supporting documents and travel explanation should be accurate and internally consistent.
7. Visitor visa application process
Visitor-visa applicants generally apply online through an IRCC account or the applicable IRCC portal, provide the required forms and supporting documents, pay the applicable fees, and provide biometrics if required. IRCC may request an interview, additional information, a medical examination or a police certificate depending on the case.
Application Steps
- Use IRCC's current eligibility and entry-document tools to determine whether you need a TRV.
- Prepare the requested application information and supporting documents.
- Explain the purpose and proposed duration of the visit.
- Upload evidence supporting your finances and ties to your home country where relevant.
- Pay the visitor-visa processing fee and the biometrics fee if biometrics are required.
- Submit the online application.
- If IRCC sends a biometric instruction letter, complete biometrics at an official collection location as instructed.
- Respond promptly if IRCC requests an interview, additional documents, a medical examination or a police certificate.
- If approved, follow IRCC's instructions for passport submission so the visa can be issued.
- Before travelling, verify the visa, passport validity, travel dates and supporting documentation.
Processing Time RuleDo not use a generic number such as '2 weeks to 3 months' for Canadian visitor visas. IRCC's processing time varies by country and application circumstances. Use the official live processing-time tool for the applicant's specific location.
8. eTA application process and common mistakes
The eTA application is completed online. The current government fee is C$7. Applicants need a valid passport, an email address and a credit or debit card. Most applications are approved within minutes, although some take several days and may require additional documents.
Eta Steps
- Use only the official Government of Canada eTA application site.
- Enter the passport information exactly as shown in the passport.
- Pay the C$7 fee immediately after completing the form.
- Monitor the email address used in the application.
- If IRCC requests more information, follow the instructions within the specified timeframe.
- After approval, verify that the passport number in the approval email matches your passport exactly.
- Travel with the same passport that is electronically linked to the eTA.
Common Mistakes
- Entering an incorrect passport number.
- Assuming an eTA is sufficient for a traveller who actually needs a visitor visa.
- Assuming an eTA guarantees admission at the airport.
- Assuming an eTA authorizes work or study.
- Applying through an unofficial third-party website that charges additional fees.
9. Extending your stay inside Canada with a visitor record
A visitor who wants to stay in Canada longer than their current authorized period generally applies for a visitor record. A visitor record is not a visa; it is a document used to extend or define temporary-resident status inside Canada.
Extension Rules
- Apply before your current temporary-resident status expires.
- IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before the current authorized stay expires.
- The extension fee is currently C$100 per person.
- The applicant should explain why additional time in Canada is needed and provide supporting evidence as requested.
- Applying before status expires can allow the person to remain in Canada under maintained status while IRCC processes the extension, subject to the applicable rules and conditions.
- The visitor record specifies the new expiry date if the extension is approved.
- A visitor record does not by itself function as an entry visa for a later return to Canada.
Re Entry WarningIf you leave Canada after receiving a visitor record, the visitor record alone does not guarantee re-entry. You must have the appropriate entry document for the circumstances, such as a valid visitor visa or eTA, and still satisfy the requirements for admission.
Important TimingThe safest planning rule is to determine your actual status-expiry date first, then submit the visitor-record extension application before that date. The '30 days' figure is an IRCC recommendation for when to apply, not a legal automatic extension of stay.
10. What to carry when arriving in Canada
Possessing the correct eTA or visitor visa gets the traveller to the point of examination; it does not guarantee admission. The border services officer can assess identity, admissibility, purpose of visit and whether the traveller will comply with the temporary-resident conditions.
Arrival Checklist
- Valid passport or acceptable travel document.
- Valid visitor visa or eTA when required.
- Return or onward travel information where appropriate.
- Evidence of accommodation.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for the proposed visit.
- Invitation letter or supporting family/business documents where relevant.
- Documents explaining the purpose of the trip.
- Evidence of employment, business or other ties outside Canada where useful to the case.
- Any required medical, immigration or special-status documents.
Officer DecisionThe border services officer makes the final decision on whether the traveller is admissible and how long they may remain in Canada. If the officer sets a specific departure date in a passport stamp or visitor record, that date controls the authorized stay.
11. Common mistakes that can cause visitor-entry problems
Many visitor problems arise because applicants confuse the validity of an entry document with authorization to remain in Canada or assume that an approved eTA or visa guarantees admission.
Mistakes
mistake: Treating a 10-year visitor visa as permission to stay for 10 years
correction: Visa validity and authorized stay are different. Most individual visits are normally authorized for up to 6 months unless the officer decides otherwise.
mistake: Assuming every visa-exempt traveller needs an eTA regardless of travel method
correction: For most eTA-required nationalities, the eTA is an air-travel requirement; land and sea entry generally does not require an eTA.
mistake: Assuming every citizen of a visa-required country can get an eTA
correction: Only specific visa-required-country nationals who meet all special conditions can use the eTA pathway when flying.
mistake: Treating the C$85 biometrics charge as mandatory for every visitor-visa applicant
correction: Biometrics depend on the applicant and applicable exemptions; family maximums also apply where eligible.
mistake: Using a generic visitor-visa processing-time claim
correction: Processing times vary by country and case; use IRCC's live processing-time tool.
mistake: Assuming a visitor record is a re-entry visa
correction: A visitor record extends status inside Canada but does not itself guarantee re-entry.
mistake: Working or studying without the proper authorization
correction: An eTA or visitor visa does not by itself authorize work or study.
mistake: Showing documents that conflict with the stated purpose of the trip
correction: Visitor applications should be truthful, coherent and supported by documents consistent with the declared temporary purpose.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It depends on your citizenship, travel document and how you will enter Canada. Citizens of eTA-required countries generally need an eTA when flying, while travellers from visa-required countries generally need a visitor visa. However, certain citizens of selected visa-required countries can qualify for an eTA instead when flying if they meet specific conditions. U.S. citizens and Canadian permanent residents have separate exemption rules. Use IRCC's current visa/eTA checker for your exact situation.
The visitor-visa processing fee is currently C$100 per person. A family of 5 or more applying together at the same time and place can pay a maximum C$500 visitor-visa fee. Biometrics, when required, are C$85 per individual, with a maximum C$170 family biometrics fee for eligible family applications.
A visitor visa can generally be valid for up to 10 years, but 10 years is a maximum rather than a guarantee. The visa officer decides whether to issue a single- or multiple-entry visa and how long it will be valid, subject to the applicable passport and biometrics validity limits.
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months. A border services officer can authorize a shorter or longer period and can record a specific departure date in your passport or on a visitor record. The validity period of your visa is not the same as the length of an individual stay.
Yes, a visitor in Canada can generally apply for a visitor record to extend their temporary-resident status. IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before the current status expires. The current extension fee is C$100 per person. A visitor record is not a visa and does not by itself guarantee re-entry if you leave Canada.
No. Both are travel or entry documents, not guarantees of admission. At the Canadian border, a border services officer determines whether you are admissible and how long you may stay. You can be asked to show evidence of your purpose, funds, accommodation, travel plans and ties outside Canada.
Official Government Sources & Authorities
- IRCC - Check if you need a visa or eTA
- IRCC - What you need to enter Canada
- IRCC - Electronic Travel Authorization: About the process
- IRCC - Electronic Travel Authorization: Who can apply
- IRCC - eTA eligibility for selected visa-required countries
- IRCC - Visitor visa: About the document
- IRCC - How to apply for a visitor visa
- IRCC - Visitor visa: Prepare for your arrival
- IRCC - Visitor visa application requirements
- IRCC - Biometrics
- IRCC - Check current processing times
- IRCC - Visitor record: About the document
- IRCC - Visitor record: Who can apply
- IRCC - Visitor record: How to apply
- IRCC - Extend your stay as a visitor: fees
- IRCC - Citizenship and immigration application fee list
- IRCC - eTA: After you apply
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2026 Visitor Entry Metrics
eTA FeeC$7
Visitor Visa FeeC$100 per person
Maximum Family Visa FeeC$500 for a family of 5+ applying together
Biometrics FeeC$85 individual; C$170 family maximum where eligible
Typical Visitor StayUsually up to 6 months, subject to the border officer's decision
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