Tourist visaCanada tourist visa
Canada issues no visa on arrival — none. The visa has to be a sticker in your passport before you board, because Indian passport holders count as visa-required nationals and need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), Canada's visitor visa, for any tourist trip. You file online through the IRCC portal (paper is kept for specific situations only), and anyone aged 14 to 79 gives biometrics — fingerprints and a photo — at a VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre. Budget CAD 100 for the visa and CAD 85 for biometrics.
A TRV comes as single- or multiple-entry and can run for up to 10 years, or until your passport expires — whichever arrives first. Keep in mind what the sticker actually does: it lets you ask to enter. How long you stay is decided by a border services officer at the port of entry, generally up to 6 months. There is one shortcut. If you are flying to Canada and already hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, or you held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years, you can apply for an eTA instead of a TRV — for air travel only.
Who this visa is for
- ✓Indian passport holders travelling to Canada for tourism, sightseeing, or visiting family and friends
- ✓Applicants who can show strong ties to India — a job, business, property or family — and intent to leave Canada at the end of the visit
- ✓Travellers with a passport valid for the trip, sufficient funds for the visit, and no criminal or immigration inadmissibility
- ✓Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents planning a long stay may instead qualify for the Super Visa
- ✓eTA alternative: those flying to Canada who hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, or held a Canadian visitor visa in the last 10 years, may apply for an eTA instead of a TRV
Visa options for Canada
Visitor visa (TRV) — multiple entry
The standard tourist visa, usually issued as multiple-entry. Valid up to 10 years or until the passport expires, whichever is first; each visit is generally limited to 6 months.
Visitor visa (TRV) — single entry
Permits one entry to Canada and is issued in specific cases. A new visa is needed for a further visit once you have left the country.
Super Visa (parents and grandparents)
For parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Multiple-entry, valid up to 10 years, with stays of up to 5 years per entry; requires valid medical insurance (at least 1 year of coverage) and a host who meets the minimum income (LICO) threshold.
Electronic travel authorization (eTA)
Not a visa. Indian citizens flying to Canada who hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, or held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years, may apply for an eTA instead of a TRV. Valid for air travel only, not for land or sea entry.
Documents typically required
- ✓Passport valid for the duration of the trip, plus copies of any old passports showing travel history
- ✓Completed visitor visa application (form IMM 5257) submitted through the IRCC online portal, and the Family Information form (IMM 5645)
- ✓Recent photo meeting IRCC specifications (35 x 45 mm, plain light background, taken within the last 6 months)
- ✓Proof of funds — usually the last 6 months' personal bank statements, plus income tax returns (ITR) and salary slips
- ✓Proof of employment or business — employer's leave/NOC letter for salaried applicants, or business registration and financials for the self-employed
- ✓Purpose of travel — cover letter and a day-by-day travel itinerary, with flight and hotel bookings
- ✓Proof of ties to India — property papers, family details and ongoing commitments showing you will return
- ✓If visiting family or friends: an invitation letter with the host's status and proof of relationship
- ✓Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) given at a VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre after you receive the Biometric Instruction Letter
Your exact checklist depends on your profile — we confirm it during your case analysis. Every visa decision rests with the embassy or consulate.
Apply online through the IRCC portal, then give biometrics within 30 days of receiving your Biometric Instruction Letter at a VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre. Centres run in cities including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. Government fees are CAD 100 for the visa plus CAD 85 for biometrics, and processing begins only once your biometrics are received.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa to visit Canada?
Yes. As an Indian passport holder you're visa-required, so you'll need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — Canada's visitor visa — as a sticker in your passport before you travel. There is no visa-on-arrival. The one exception: if you're flying in and hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, or you held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years, you may apply for an eTA instead.
How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?
Usually up to 6 months per entry — but that isn't fixed. The border services officer at the port of entry sets the actual period and marks the date by which you must leave. The visa in your passport is a separate matter: it can be valid for up to 10 years, or until your passport expires.
How long does processing take?
IRCC posts current processing times on its website, and they shift with application volume; recent IRCC data put visitor-visa processing from India at roughly a few weeks. The clock only starts once your biometrics reach them — so book your VFS appointment and give biometrics promptly.
Do you guarantee the visa?
No. The decision rests solely with the visa officer at IRCC and the Canadian High Commission — no consultant can guarantee an outcome. What we do is give you a frank, honest assessment of your profile and build the strongest, best-documented application possible. Over the last 2-3 years our applications have had a 97% success rate.
Trusted by travellers to Canada
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