How can apply for 2021-2022 Canada Temporary Resident Visa or Visitor Visa

After you apply

On this page

• Your fingerprints and photo (biometrics)
• Processing your visitor visa application
• Before you travel to Canada – Documents you need
  • Mandatory quarantine, COVID-19 testing and other requirements
  • Submit your information to the ArriveCAN app
  • Proof that you’re eligible to travel to Canada
  • Situations where you may need extra documents on arrival
    • You have a child under the age of 18 (a minor child)
    • You were invited to come to Canada
• Your arrival in Canada
• When you enter Canada

This is what will happen after you apply for a visitor visa:

Processing your visitor visa application

Will check your application to make sure you have all the documents you need.

If it’s incomplete, we’ll return your application without processing it.

They may also ask you to

• go to an interview with our officials in your country
• send more information
• get a medical exam
• get a police certificate

Will tell you what to do if you need to do any of these.

We process most applications in a few weeks or less. Processing times depend on the visa office and if you need to do any extra steps (listed above).

We’ll return your passport and other original documents to you after we process your application. We won’t return original bank statements or any documents we find to be fake.

If we approve your application

If you applied online

If you applied on paper

If  refuse your application

If you applied online

If you applied on paper

Before you travel to Canada – Documents you need

Proof that you’re eligible to travel to Canada

You must bring evidence that you meet the eligibility requirements to travel at this time, such as

• a negative COVID-19 test result (taken within 72 hours of your departure)
• the evidence you provided in your visa application
• written authorization from IRCC (if you’re required to get it)
• written authorization from the Public Health Agency of Canada (if you’re travelling for compassionate reasons)

If you can’t provide this information, you won’t be allowed to board your flight to Canada or enter at a Canadian land port of entry.

Situations where you may need extra documents on arrival

If either of the following situations applies to you or someone you’ll travel with, have the documents indicated in hand.

You have a child under the age of 18 (a minor child)

In Canada, a child under the age of 18 is considered a minor.

You may need to show

• a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and
• other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not

Find out more about minor children travelling to Canada

You were invited to come to Canada

If you got a letter from a person or company that invited you to Canada, bring that letter with you. A border services officer may ask to see it.

Find out more about letters of invitation

Your arrival in Canada

A valid visa and travel document don’t guarantee that you can enter Canada. You must also meet the current health requirements due to COVID-19.

We determine if you meet all entry requirements

When you arrive, we’ll check your identity to make sure that you’re the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We’ll also ask to see your ArriveCAN receipt and quarantine plan.

• We’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. If you’re a foreign national and you have symptoms of COVID-19, you won’t be allowed to enter Canada.
• If you enter Canada at one of 4 major Canadian airports
  • Your fingerprints will be checked automatically at a primary inspection kiosk.
  • The system will check your identity against the information collected when your application was submitted.
• If you enter Canada at a land port of entry
  • Your fingerprints may be checked if we refer you to a secondary inspection, where a border services officer will use a fingerprint verification device to check your fingerprints.

You enter Canada

If you pass the identity check, health assessment, and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer may stamp your passport or let you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to 6 months.

In some cases, the officer may limit or extend your time in Canada, depending on the purpose of your visit. Ask questions if you’re not sure about something.

You won’t be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information. The officer must be convinced that

• you’re eligible for entry into Canada
• you’ll leave Canada at the end of your approved length of stay