The Canadian Tourist Visa for your Holiday or Visiting a Family
If you are considering of visiting Canada on a holiday or to meet a relative or friend, then applying for a Canadian tourist visa can become a necessary task.
Generally, you should be able to apply for the required Canadian tourist visa online/ at the nearest Canadian consulate in the country of your residence for a stay in Canada of up to 3 months.
General Visa Requirements and Validity Period of Canadian Tourist Visa
Before applying for a tourist visa for Canada, it is advised you check whether you can apply for the Canadian tourist visa.
A brief list of the most important requirements and conditions when getting the tourist visa for Canada:
- You do not expect to perform voluntary work that can otherwise be performed by a paid staff in Canada.
- You do not mean to participate in a work relationship in Canada.
- You do not intend to provide services to Canadian organisations (this is allowed with a Canadian work visa or business visa).
- You do not plan to supply or offer product or services to consumers in Canada.
- You and your relative are not in debt to the Canada Government.
- You do not pose a danger to the health or safety of the people of Canada.
- You have the ability to show that you have adequate funds to pay for your visit and return from Canada.
Do you need a Canadian tourist visa?
It depends upon your nationality and the kind of travel document you are using to take a trip to Canada.Please click here to verify if you need a Canadian visa.
Who can apply for a Canadian tourist visa?
Any person wishing to go on holiday to Canada can apply for a Canadian tourist visa.
There are many types of visa for Canada which you can use as a visitor to Canada. If you are uncertain which sort of Canadian tourist visa you need to apply, please contact the local Canadian visa office to get additional clarification as aim of this page is to provide you general guide when looking for Canadian tourist visa.
What kind of Canadian visa do I need?
This depends on three points:
- The nationality according to your passport – If the citizenship according to the passport is from a nation that is on visa free travel to Canada or eligible to obtain a visa on arrival in Canada, then you may not need to make an application for a Canadian tourist visa before departure from your home country. Please go here to check if you need a Canadian visa.
- The timeframe of your stay in Canada – If you want to stay in Canada for a shorter duration no more than ninety days, then you can get the Canadian tourist visa. If you wish to remain much longer, then call the nearby Canadian visa office to obtain the appropriate visa for your travel.
- The activities you hope to accomplish in Canada – If your sole purpose of taking a trip is for vacation, then you can apply for all types of Canadian tourist visas talked about on this web page.
General Visa Application Requirements to Apply for Canadian Visitor Visa
- Tourist visa application form for Canada – Completed Canadian visa Form.
- Original and signed passport – The passport has to be valid for at the very least six months before going into Canada and 3 months after departing Canada. It must have at least 2 spare visa pages and can not be older than 10 years.
- Passport type photo – Photo should be no older than six months and must be 35 x 40mm in size.
- Previous passport – Offer a previous passport if you had any.
- Previous visas – Copies of previous Canadian visas details if you had any.
- Flight tickets to Canada – Reservation of return or round trip flight tickets. In some situations the Canadian visa office may request for pre-paid flight tickets to Canada.
- Travel insurance policy – Evidence of travel insurance coverage with a minimum cover set by the Canadian embassy provided with the Certification of Insurance and the table of benefits. The travel insurance coverage need to cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency should be issued by an insurer. If you are thinking of using your credit card travel insurance for your travel to Canada, please contact Canadian consular office to learn more and travel insurance coverage requirements for the Canadian visa.
- Original financial institution statements – Original financial institution statements for the last 3 months showing enough funds to cover your visit in Canada. If statements are printed online then it needs to be Verified (marked) by the financial institution officials.
- Hotel Reservations in Canada – Copy of confirmed hotel bookings including name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, duration of stay. In the majority of situations, only bookings which are partially or completely pre-paid can be accepted.
- Work letter – This letter has to be: original and signed letter from employer written on company letter head paper, confirming your ongoing employment, the status of employment, regular monthly income and annual leave. Likewise, please provide your three latest pay slips. If you are self-employed: supply certified copies of company registration, income tax return.
- For students. Please supply the following:
- Evidence of current student status: Certificate of Enrollment.
- Original and signed letter from university written on university letter head paper, confirming ongoing enrolment, confirming the payment of tuition fees or any scholarships, and confirming term break.
- Insurance policy from Organisation/University – Give a letter from the University stating the purpose, duration of travel and confirmation that you are going to be covered by the insurance coverage for the entire trip along with the Certificate of Currency and summary of benefits.
In general, visa applications for Canadian visa ought to be submitted for a maximum of 6 months, and no later than 15 days, prior to the journey.