Canadian tourist visa – RainCity Immigration Ltd

Guide to Obtaining a Tourist Visa for Canada | From Requirements to Costs

The Canadian tourist visa, also known as the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is an official document that allows foreign nationals to enter Canada for tourism, family visits, or business activities for a limited time. This visa is also referred to as the Visitor Visa for Canada.

The visa is stamped in your passport by a Canadian immigration officer as an applicant for the tourist visa and indicates that you meet the necessary requirements to enter Canada. In this article, you will read a complete guide on how to apply for a Canadian tourist visa.

Canadian Visitor Visa at a Glance

Application Fee + Biometrics: $185

Validity Period: 5 years or less

Duration of Stay: 6 months on each entry

Financial Requirement: $12,000 per person (for 6 months of stay)

Latest News on the Canadian Tourist Visa

Iranians with a tourist visa in Canada can apply for the Open Work Permit for Iranians free of charge until February 28, 2025. The Open Work Permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada. In the latest update from the Canadian immigration office, tourist visas are no longer automatically issued as five-year multiple-entry visas. Now immigration officers can issue single-entry (one-time entry) or multiple-entry (multiple entries) tourist visas with varying durations based on the applicant's circumstances.

Types of Canadian Tourist Visas: Which One is Right for You?

The types of Canadian tourist visas include:

1. Single Visa (Single) or one-time entry

2. Multiple Visa (Multiple) or multiple-entry

Additionally, with the Super Visa for Canada, parents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can travel to Canada.

Canadian Single Visa

One-time entry valid for up to 6 months

With the Canadian single visa, you are only allowed to enter the country once. For example, a single visa might be issued for official visits by officials from this country, attending a conference or a special event in the country, or for other reasons deemed appropriate by the officer. After leaving Canada, if you want to travel to the country again, you’ll need to reapply for a Canadian tourist visa.

Multi-Entry Visa for Canada

5-Year Multi-Entry Visa for Canada

The multi-entry visa for Canada can be issued for a duration of 5 years, 10 years, or as little as one month before the passport’s expiration date. As long as your multi-entry visa for Canada is valid—which is usually 5 years for Iranians—you are allowed to enter Canada multiple times, and each time you can stay for up to 6 months.

Super Visa

Visitor Visa for Parents

The Canadian Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa that is valid for up to 10 years and allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time without needing to extend their status, so they can live alongside their children and grandchildren.

Obtaining a Canadian tourist visa does not guarantee entry into the country and requires approval from an immigration officer.

Complete Review of the Conditions for a Canadian Tourist Visa

According to the IRCC website, the conditions for obtaining a Canadian tourist visa are as follows:

You must have a valid passport.

You should be in good physical and mental health.

You should not have any criminal conviction or immigration-related issues.

You need to show the immigration officer that you have ties to your home country like a stable job, a house, financial assets, or family, so the officer is convinced that you will return to your homeland.

Convince the immigration officer that you will go back to Iran after your trip.

You should have enough money for your trip and accommodation duration.

Additionally, you may need a medical examination or an invitation letter to get a visitor visa for Canada. Below, you will find the required documents for obtaining a Canadian visa.

Complete List of Required Documents for a Canadian Tourist Visa

The required documents for a Canadian tourist visa are:

1. General documents; Identity, Criminal Record Check, and Fingerprinting

Personal documents such as a valid passport, translated birth certificate, translated marriage certificate (if applicable), translated educational documents, translated military service completion card (if applicable)

Translation of the criminal record check

Fingerprinting at one of the VAC centers of the Canadian embassy in neighboring countries to Iran

Completed tourist visa forms

2. Travel history and purpose of travel letter

Providing a travel history and travel record through the stamps in your passport.

A letter stating the purpose of the trip with a detailed itinerary for visiting Canada.

3. Financial capability and bank statements for the last 6 months.

One important factor to keep in mind when applying for a visitor visa to Canada is providing sufficient financial proof for the duration of your stay in the country. Additionally, a six-month bank statement is also a crucial document for obtaining a visitor visa.

4. Required documents for a tourist visa to Canada with an invitation letter.

Documents related to the inviting person, such as their citizenship card, permanent residency, university registration letter, study permit, student visa, or employment letter and work visa. Also, any documents that demonstrate the inviting person’s stable economic status in Canada, like property deeds, pay stubs, tax payment receipts, etc. While providing financial evidence from the inviter is not mandatory, it’s recommended to secure financial proof from them and include it in your documents to show that they are financially stable and capable of hosting you.

To apply for a tourist visa to Canada, you need to have an invitation letter from someone in Canada. This person can be a close relative, friend, or your kin. Writing an invitation letter does not mean that the inviter legally takes responsibility for you; rather, it indicates that they are your host and, if necessary, will cover your financial expenses in Canada.

The invitation letter must include both your information and the inviter’s details. We will detail this information separately below.

Information about the Inviter:

Full name

Date of birth

Address and phone number in Canada

Current status in Canada (citizen, permanent resident, student, etc.)

Job title (if employed)

Information about the Invitee:

Full name

Date of birth

Address and phone number in the home country

Relationship to the inviter

Purpose of the trip

Duration of stay in Canada

Details regarding accommodation in Canada and how expenses will be covered

Date of departure from Canada

The Canadian immigration office may ask you to have your invitation letter certified by official offices in Canada, or in other words, notarized. In this case, ask your inviter to send you the letter stamped with an official seal and notarized.

5. Canadian tourist visa without an invitation letter | Hotel receipt and travel details

Providing an invitation letter is not mandatory for obtaining a Canadian tourist visa, and you can apply for this visa with documents related to hotel bookings and round-trip flight tickets. However, not having an invitation letter decreases your chances of getting the visa and puts your application at significant risk, unless you elaborate more on the purpose of your trip and describe your travel itinerary in great detail.

For instance, in your daily schedule, write about where you plan to go each day, which places or exhibitions you want to visit. If you’ve signed up for tourist tours in Canada, provide the relevant documents and outline the tour itinerary from day one to the last day.

6. Employment documents and financial records

Employment documents such as job letters, work contracts, retirement letters, recent six months’ pay slips, insurance records, and a leave of absence certificate (if possible). If you own a company or business in your home country, provide documents like the official newspaper, company charter, tax payment records, employee salary payment records, or a business license. (Sample work experience letter for Canada)

Documents related to your assets like home, apartment, land, shop, etc.

Steps for the Canadian tourist visa; from preparing documents to visa pickup

The steps for applying for a Canadian tourist visa are:

Preparing documents before applying

Renewing your passport and officially translating identity and financial documents

Preparing financial capability documents

Receiving the invitation letter and completing the required forms

Booking hotel accommodation and purchasing flight tickets

Completing the form, submitting documents, and paying fees

1. Completing temporary residence forms, family information, and Schedule 1

First, visit the Canadian immigration website and select English as your language.

On the opened page, choose the Visit option.

After selecting Visit, on the new page, choose Apply for a visitor visa, then select Apply.

At the bottom of the Apply page, answer the specified questions and state the purpose of your tourist trip.

If you intend to visit family members or relatives, select the first option (To unite a family member) and then follow the subsequent steps.

Create an account through the IRCC Portal and answer the application questions.

Download the generated forms, then fill them out and sign them.

Upload the required documents and completed forms in the requested section of the application.

2. Your case is filed in court.

Pay for the visitor visa and the biometrics fee.

3. The immigration department sends the reasons for the rejection to the court.

Schedule a biometric appointment at one of the VAC offices of the Canadian embassy in neighboring countries to Iran, and complete your biometrics at the specified time.

4. Your lawyer submits the defense.

Congratulations, you’re all set to get your visa! Now, for the label of your Canadian visitor visa, head to the Canadian embassy in one of the neighboring countries to Iran for pickup.

How much is the Canadian tourist visa?

The cost of the Canadian tourist visa (application review at the embassy) is 100 Canadian dollars per person, and with the addition of the biometrics fee (85 dollars), it totals 185 dollars. But that’s not your only cost.

To obtain a Canadian visitor visa, you need to consider several expenses, such as the application review fee at Canadian immigration, the biometrics fee, and providing sufficient financial support for your duration in Canada. In the table below, we’ve reviewed all the costs related to the Canadian tourist visa.

Cost Explanation	Per Person	Family
Official document translation	500,000 to 1,000,000 Toman	–
Embassy case review	100 dollars	500 dollars (for families of 5 or more)
Immigration lawyer (optional)	500 to 600 dollars	–
Fingerprinting	85 dollars	170 dollars (for families of 2 or more)
3-day trip to Turkey for fingerprinting	15 to 20 million Toman	–
Visa pickup	Start from 1,000,000 Toman	–
Round-trip airfare to Vancouver	2,800 to 3,500 dollars	–
Housing	1,500 to 4,000 dollars per month	–
Health insurance	5 dollars per day – 150 dollars per month	–
Entertainment	500 dollars per month	–
Public transportation	100 to 150 dollars per month	–
Clothing (pants or t-shirt)	30 to 50 dollars	–
Souvenirs	10 to 20 dollars	–
Food and drink (one meal + coffee)	15 dollars + 5 dollars	–
Residence extension as a visitor	100 dollars	–

What is the required financial support for a Canadian tourist visa?

At least 2,000 dollars for each month of stay.

The minimum required financial support for a Canadian tourist visa is not specified. In fact, it varies depending on the length of stay and whether you will be with relatives and friends or staying in a hotel. For instance, if you plan to spend the full 6 months allowed in Canada with your family, you need to show at least 2,000 Canadian dollars for each month; so, for a total duration of 6 months, you’ll need a minimum of 12,000 dollars.

This amount is an average, and for Iranians, it’s recommended to show more financial proof. This amount can also be provided by your inviter.

Additionally, you need to set aside some funds for your medical insurance in Canada. If you get insurance from private companies, the cost is 5 dollars per day. So if you’re in Canada for, say, 3 months (90 days), that totals 450 dollars.

Review of the reasons for Canadian tourist visa rejection.

A tourist visa for Canada can be rejected for various reasons, and here are some of the most important ones:

Unclear purpose of travel to Canada

Insufficient assets and property in the home country

Providing inadequate or incomplete and vague documentation

Unstable employment status of the applicant in the home country

Inconsistency between the duration of stay in Canada and the financial means provided

Lack of travel history

Insufficient documentation from the inviter

Inadequate financial capability of the inviter

Lack of physical health

Having a criminal record

The officer not being convinced of the applicant’s return to their home country

If your application for a Canadian visa is rejected for the reasons mentioned above, you can reapply with the Canadian immigration authorities. However, this is only effective and promising if you address the issues in your case according to the officer’s feedback and try your luck again. Otherwise, if you don’t make changes to your circumstances and documents to address the issues, your application will be rejected again.

How to address the rejection of a Canadian tourist visa

If your Canadian visa application has been rejected by the Canadian immigration authorities, don’t worry. A rejection is not the end of the road. After your visitor visa application is denied, you can take the following steps:

1. Review and correct the issues in your case and reapply for the visa

2. Appeal to the Canadian immigration authorities (IRCC) through a reconsideration request

3. Appeal in the Federal Court of Canada (the court)

RainCity will offer the best solution to address the rejection of a Canadian visa by reviewing each applicant’s situation. For more information on this topic, read the article “Addressing the Rejection of a Canadian Tourist Visa.”

3 ways to increase your chances of getting a Canadian tourist visa

1. Getting an invitation letter from Canada:

Receiving an invitation letter from a first-degree family member increases your chances of getting a visitor visa for Canada. First-degree family members include:

Parents

Siblings

Grandparents

Of course, you can also receive an invitation letter for participating in scientific or professional conferences from organizations, various companies, or universities.

2. Increasing Travel History:

Improving your travel history also boosts your chances of getting a tourist visa for Canada. It’s better if your travel history includes countries that are known for having stricter visa requirements. For example: Schengen countries in Europe, the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and so on.

3. Strong Ties to Home:

To get a Canadian visa, you need to convince the officer that you’ll return to Iran after your trip. This is done by showing your strong ties and connections to Iran. Strong ties can include:

Family connections; for instance, having a spouse, children, or elderly or sick parents in Iran.

Job connections; like holding a high-end job or having a decent salary.

Connections through wealth and assets; for example, owning property and real estate in Iran.

How long does a Canadian tourist visa take?

As of January 11, 2024, the processing time for a Canadian tourist visa for Iranians is 39 days. However, this timeframe may change throughout the year. You can check processing times for various Canadian visas on the “Visa Processing Times” page on the IRCC website.

Converting and Extending Your Canadian Tourist Visa

It’s possible to convert a Canadian tourist visa to other types of visas like work, study, or permanent residency, but before proceeding, think carefully about your long-term plans. Consider what your next steps will be after entering Canada, and take it seriously because you might resign from your job back home or sell your belongings with the hope of settling in Canada, which makes returning to your home country difficult if things don’t work out.

Converting a Canadian Tourist Visa to Work

If your goal is to convert your Canadian tourist visa to a work visa, research in advance how to find a job and get a job offer from Canadian employers. Assess your qualifications for securing a job and see if you have enough skills and work experience to land a position in this country.

Converting a Tourist Visa to a Study Visa in Canada

If you plan to change your tourist visa to a study visa in Canada, make sure to check the admission requirements for Canadian universities in advance and see if you meet the necessary criteria for obtaining a study visa.

Immigrating to Canada with a tourist visa

There’s no direct way to change a tourist visa to permanent residency in Canada. You first need to get a study or work visa through one of the educational or employment pathways, and after fulfilling the requirements for permanent residency, you can apply.

You might find yourself in a situation where you need to stay in Canada for over 6 months. In that case, you should apply for an extension of your Canadian tourist visa at least one month before your 6-month stay is up. This is called a Visitor Record.

Obtaining a Canadian visa for family members

Canadian tourist visa for spouse

If you are in Canada on a temporary stay and want to apply for a tourist visa for your spouse, you can do so through a Visitor Visa (TRV).

If you are working in Canada

If you are in Canada on a temporary stay and want to apply for a tourist visa for your spouse, you can do so through a Visitor Visa (TRV).

If you are studying in Canada

If you have a study permit and are enrolled in a designated learning institution (DLI), you can apply for a tourist visa for your spouse by showing your student visa approval. However, keep in mind that if you are a student, your spouse will receive a Visitor Record and, with that visitor status, they won’t be allowed to work or study in Canada.

Converting a tourist visa to an open work permit for a spouse.

If your spouse intends to work in Canada, they can change their status from visitor to a worker after arriving in Canada. They can apply for an open work permit, and if eligible, they will receive it.

To obtain a spousal visa for Canada, you need to prove that you have enough financial resources to support both your living expenses in Canada and those of your spouse. Additionally, your spouse must show that they will leave Canada with you after your work permit or study permit expires.

You can find more information on this topic by reading the article about Canada’s spousal visa.

Obtaining a tourist visa for a brother or sister

Getting a tourist visa for your brother or sister in Canada through an invitation letter is possible, but there’s no guarantee they’ll get the visa. The chances for immediate family members like a brother or sister are higher compared to others. Ultimately, it’s up to the officer to decide whether they can obtain the visa or not.

Your siblings can present a stronger application to the immigration office using your invitation letter; your presence in Canada is seen as a positive factor and increases their chances of getting a visa since their travel purpose is clearer.

If your siblings have no travel history to the Schengen area, the officer may reject their visa application based on that, though this can be easily defended in court. The lack of travel history to the Schengen area shouldn’t be a reason for your siblings to miss the chance of seeing you. Of course, having such a history in their travel record can strengthen their case.

Tourist visa for parents

If you’re studying in Canada (or your child is studying in Canada), you can invite your parents to Canada using an invitation letter issued by the university, college, or school. This invitation letter makes the process of obtaining a tourist visa easier for your parents, but it doesn’t guarantee that they will get the visa.

Getting a tourist visa for parents can also be done through applying for a Super Visa for Canada. The Super Visa is a type of visa issued to parents and is a multiple-entry visa. The Super Visa allows for multiple entries into Canada and has a validity of 10 years. With each entry using this visa, you can stay in Canada for up to 5 years without needing to extend your status.

You can learn more about this by reading the article on the Super Visa for Canada.

Tourist Visa for Children

If you have legal status in Canada, meaning you are allowed to study with a study permit or work with a work permit, you can get a tourist visa for your child and bring them along with you to Canada. Upon arriving in Canada, they may also be able to study or work under certain conditions.

Conditions for work or study for children on a tourist visa:

Child Under 18 Years

If your child is under 18 when they arrive in Canada, they can study in preschool, elementary, or high school without a study permit.

Interestingly, most public schools in Canada offer free education for children coming under such conditions, meaning you don’t have to pay tuition fees.

If your child is under the legal age, meaning they are in school, they cannot work while studying. For non-Canadian individuals, the child must be at least 18 years old to obtain a Canadian work permit.

Child Aged 18 and Above

If your child is 18 years old or older, they need to apply for a study permit to study in Canada and cannot attend classes without permission. However, applying for a study permit doesn’t have to be done from your home country; you can apply for it from within Canada as well.

The tuition fees for colleges and universities for dependent children (aged between 18 and 22) are calculated at local rates, which can be 3 to 8 times cheaper than the fees for international students, depending on the province you reside in.

If your child wants to work after arriving in Canada and is 22 years old or older (above the age of dependency), they are no longer considered your dependent and must apply separately for a work permit.

Which countries can you travel to with a Canadian tourist visa?

Iranian immigrants can travel to 14 countries including Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Qatar, the British Virgin Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands with a Canadian tourist visa.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to issue a Canadian tourist visa?

As of December 11, 2024, the average processing time for Iranian tourist visas at the Canadian embassy is about 38 days. If your application is experiencing unreasonable delays, you can file for a writ of mandamus in Canada.

What is the validity period of a Canadian tourist visa?

The validity of a Canadian tourist visa (multiple entry visa) can be for 5 years, 10 years, or up to one month before your passport expires. Single-entry tourist visas are valid for 6 months.

If your case review experiences unreasonable delays, you can use a mandamus order in court.

What are the financial requirements for a Canadian tourist visa?

The application fee for filing a case in Canadian court is $50.

The financial requirements for a Canadian visitor visa depend on various factors like the length of stay and location, among others. Generally speaking, if you plan to stay in Canada for 6 months, it’s advisable to have at least CAD 2,000 for each month, which totals around CAD 12,000 for 6 months.

What are the asylum conditions with a Canadian tourist visa?

Seeking asylum with a Canadian tourist visa not only increases the likelihood of rejection and a ban on the applicant but also damages Iran’s and Iranian migrants’ reputation with the Canadian immigration office. We definitely does not recommend doing this.

Who needs a Canadian tourist visa?

Many travelers need a visitor visa to enter Canada, which generally falls into four categories:

Those looking to visit relatives and friends;

Those wishing to enter Canada for leisure and tourism;

Those intending to explore business opportunities; this type of visa is also called a business visitor visa; and

Those transiting through Canadian airports on their way to another country.

Do people from Europe who apply for a Canadian tourist visa have a better chance?

If you’re living in Europe and plan to apply for a tourist visa to Canada from there, your chances of getting the visa are better than those applying from Iran. Those applying from inside Iran should ideally show a history of travel to the Schengen Area to strengthen their application and increase their chances of getting the visa. However, residents of Europe are generally considered within the Schengen Zone, which boosts their chances of getting a tourist visa.

Keep in mind that, ultimately, everything depends on the final decision of the officer.

When deciding on a tourist visa for Canada, the officer will consider whether you have traveled to the Schengen Area or not. If you haven’t, they might wonder why Canada is being considered a “must” travel destination for leisure. This concern especially arises because they might think that the attractions of Canada could be so appealing that the applicant might not return to their home country after the visa expires.

This situation is a bit different for those who are obtaining a visitor visa to attend a conference or visit family.

How can I increase my chances of getting a Canadian tourist visa?

By keeping the following points in mind and adding them to your tourist application, you can enhance your chances for this type of visa:

Getting a Schengen visa for Canada and traveling to Schengen countries in Europe.

Traveling to other countries around the world.

Increasing your assets and properties in your home country, such as a house, land, apartment, store, expensive car, etc.

Demonstrating sufficient financial means with a clear source.

Providing documentation that shows your job, social, and emotional ties to your home country.

Can you get permanent residency in Canada with a tourist visa?

With a tourist visa to Canada, you cannot directly obtain permanent residency; you must first switch it to a study or work visa, and after completing certain steps and gaining at least one year of work experience in Canada, you can apply for permanent residency.

Is the Canadian tourist visa extendable?

If your tourist visa expires, it can’t be renewed, and if you want to have a tourist visa for Canada, you’ll need to apply for it again.

However, if you’re in Canada and your tourist visa is still valid but your stay duration (maximum 6 months per entry) has ended, you can apply for an extension of your stay by providing sufficient reasons, or in other words, you can request a visitor record.

How long can I stay in Canada with a tourist visa?

Maximum 6 months.

Can you get married in Canada with a tourist visa?

With a Canadian tourist visa, you can get married to a citizen or permanent resident of the country and apply for a Canada marriage visa. Since the processing time for this type of visa can be a bit lengthy and may take more than 6 months, there is a fear of your tourist visa expiring.

In this case, while you’re waiting for the permanent residency visa through marriage, you should apply for an extension before your tourist visa expires so a visitor record can be issued for you, allowing you to stay in Canada longer.

Read more in the article about immigrating to Canada through marriage.

What is the process of having a baby in Canada with a tourist visa? Will the child become a Canadian citizen?

One of the benefits of a Canadian tourist visa is that you can enter Canada and give birth to your child there. According to Canadian citizenship law, babies born to foreign nationals in this country are considered Canadian citizens and can enjoy the benefits of citizenship here.

By studying the page about giving birth in Canada, you can get complete information on this topic.

Can you apply for a super visa while in Canada with a tourist visa?

No, you must leave Canada to apply for a super visa.

Do the children of a visitor in Canada have permission to study in Canadian schools?

No, you need to apply for a study permit for your child.

Is it mandatory to have a Schengen visa or a visa from other countries to obtain a tourist visa?

No, but your visa history will greatly help in getting a Canada tourist visa. This can show the officer that your intention is not to stay in Canada.

Do I need to hire a legal representative for the Canadian tourist visa?

You are not required to hire an immigration lawyer for any type of visa to Canada. However, if you decide to use the services of lawyers or consultants, you must ensure that you get help from qualified legal experts. According to the immigration department’s instructions regarding the use of legal immigration services, any payments to unauthorized agencies, centers without authorization from the immigration department, or unapproved individuals can lead to your application being rejected.

Is travel insurance mandatory for a Canadian tourist visa?

No, but we recommend that you get it. Canadian travel insurance is a policy that protects individuals against unforeseen losses and damages while traveling to Canada. The insurance company pays part of the costs for covered incidents to the insured. These can include minor losses (like lost luggage) or serious injuries (such as serious illnesses and even death).

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