Canada Visitor Visa (TRV) & eTA 2026 — Requirements and Super Visa
Whether you need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), plus the Super Visa for parents and grandparents wanting a longer stay.
TRV vs eTA — Which One Do You Need?
| TRV (Visitor Visa) | eTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | Citizens of ~140 visa-required countries (India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, most of Africa, Middle East, parts of Asia/Latin America) | Citizens of visa-exempt countries (UK, most EU, Australia, Japan, South Korea) flying to Canada |
| Format | Physical/digital visa placed in passport | Electronic, linked to passport |
| Fee | CAD $100 + $85 biometrics ($170 for a family) | CAD $7 |
| Validity | Up to 10 years or passport expiry, whichever first | Up to 5 years or passport expiry |
| US citizens | Not required | Not required |
Most visitors are admitted for up to 6 months per entry, though a border officer has discretion to authorize a shorter or longer stay.
What an Officer Looks For
Under IRPR section 179, a visa officer must be satisfied you are a genuine temporary visitor who will leave at the end of your authorized stay. They weigh:
- Ties to your home country (job, property, family)
- Financial ability to cover the trip — no fixed dollar figure, but 3–6 months of bank statements, employment letters, and prepaid accommodation or an invitation letter all help
- Purpose and duration of the trip
- Immigration history and overall credibility
Super Visa — For Parents and Grandparents
A completely different, longer-stay option for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or PRs:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stay length | Up to 5 years per entry |
| Visa validity | Up to 10 years |
| Medical insurance | Private Canadian insurer, minimum $100,000 emergency coverage for a full year |
| Income requirement | Host child/grandchild must meet Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), based on family size |
| Other documents | Letter of invitation, medical exam, standard TRV requirements |
The Super Visa is the practical alternative while the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) lottery intake stays closed — most years PGP only issues invitations to people already in a prior lottery pool.
Common Refusal Reasons
- Insufficient or unclear evidence of ties to the home country
- Financial documents that don't show a consistent, explainable profile
- Unclear purpose of visit or inconsistent travel history
- Past visa refusals not properly disclosed and explained
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visitor visa if I am just transiting through a Canadian airport?
In most cases yes — a TRV or eTA depending on your nationality, unless you qualify for the limited Transit Without Visa Program. Check requirements before booking connecting flights through Canada.
Can I work or study on a visitor visa?
No. A standard visitor visa does not authorize paid work or formal study programs. Short non-credit courses or casual tourist activities are generally fine, but anything more requires a separate work or study permit.
How long does a Canada visitor visa take to process?
It varies widely by visa office — from about 2 weeks at low-volume offices to 6+ months at high-volume markets like India or Pakistan. Check IRCC's live processing-time tool for your specific country.