Visiting Canada
Visitor visa (temporary resident visa)
Citizens of many countries need a visitor visa, also called a temporary resident visa, to visit Canada. Others only need an eTA, and US citizens need neither. Visitors can usually stay up to six months. The officer mainly looks at why you are coming, how you will pay for it, and what will bring you back home.
Who needs a Canada visitor visa?
- Family visiting relatives in Canada for a wedding, a birth or a graduation.
- Tourists and business visitors from countries that need a visa.
- People refused before who want to apply again with a better file.
How do you apply for a visitor visa?
- We confirm whether you need a visa or an eTA.
- We agree on the purpose and length of the trip, and who pays.
- You collect money, job and family documents that show your ties to home.
- We prepare and submit the application. You give biometrics if required.
- If approved, you send your passport so the visa can be put in it.
What documents do you need for a visitor visa?
- A valid passport, or another accepted identity document, and proof of your citizenship.
- Proof of funds for the trip: bank statements, pay slips or tax returns.
- Proof of ties at home, such as a job letter, a business, property or family.
- A letter of invitation from someone in Canada, if you are visiting them.
- A medical exam, if IRCC asks for one.
IRCC sets the exact list for each application. We give you a checklist for your own file.
Why are visitor visas refused?
- The officer is not sure you will leave at the end of the visit.
- Not enough money, or money that appears suddenly without an explanation.
- The reason for the trip does not match the length of stay or the documents.
- Weak ties to home, such as no steady job or family there.
- A past refusal or overstay that is not explained.
How can Blue Chip help?
- If you were refused before, we read the refusal letter and, where useful, ask for the officer's notes to see the real reason.
- We write a cover letter that explains why you are visiting, how you will pay, and why you will go home.
- We help your family in Canada write the invitation letter.
Common questions
Do I need a visa or an eTA?
It depends on your passport and how you travel. US citizens need neither. Many visa-exempt travellers flying in need an eTA. Everyone else needs a visitor visa. We confirm it for you.
I was refused. Can I apply again?
Yes. But sending the same documents again usually gets the same answer. First we find out why you were refused, then we fix that.
How long can I stay?
Usually up to six months per visit. The border officer decides when you arrive. Parents and grandparents who want longer stays should look at the super visa.
Official pages
Fees, processing times and income figures change often. Check them on the official pages:
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different, and no one can guarantee an outcome. Rules checked against canada.ca in October 2026.
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