A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document that we stick in your passport. It shows that you meet the requirements needed to enter Canada.
Most travellers need a visitor visa to travel to Canada. You may also need one if you’re transiting through a Canadian airport on your way to your final destination.
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada.
At the port of entry, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If so, they’ll put the date you need to leave by in your passport.
They might also give you a document, called a visitor record, which will show the date you need to leave by.
If you don’t get a stamp in your passport, you can stay for 6 months from the day you entered Canada or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you need a stamp, you can ask a border services officer for one.
If you arrive at an airport that uses primary inspection kiosks, ask the border officer after you finish at the kiosk.
You need a visitor visa if you’re from a visa-required country and you plan to:
You also need a visitor visa if you’re from a visa-required country and you’re crossing the border by:
You need a transit visa if you’re from a visa-required country and:
1 . your international flight stops at a Canadian airport on its way to another country
2 . you’ll be connecting between 2 international flights at a Canadian airport
3 . you’ll transit through Canada in 48 hours or less
4 . you don’t have a valid visitor visa
Information for parents and grandparents, including applications for super visas, processing times, what to expect when you arrive in Canada and how to extend your stay.
