Canada visa from India 2026 — which visa do you actually need

Figuring out which Canadian visa you need as an Indian passport holder in 2026 isn't always straightforward. The type you apply for depends on why you're going, how long you plan to stay, and whether you've held certain visas before. This guide walks through the main options: the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), study permit, work permit, and super visa.

Visa types available for travel from India to Canada

Indian nationals planning to visit Canada need to understand which visa category fits their situation.

The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is the standard visitor visa. Tourists, people visiting family, and anyone entering Canada for a short stay typically need this. It's a sticker or stamp in your passport.

The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an online system for visa-exempt travelers arriving by air. Most Indian passport holders can't use it unless they've previously held a Canadian or U.S. visa. More on that restriction below.

A study permit lets you enroll at a designated learning institution. You'll need an acceptance letter and proof you can cover tuition and living costs.

A work permit is required if you have a job offer in Canada. Some employers need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) first, though exemptions exist for certain occupations and international agreements.

The super visa is for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows stays of up to five years at a time and requires proof of income from the Canadian sponsor plus private medical insurance.

Who qualifies for each visa category

TRV applicants must show they'll return home after their visit. Immigration officers look for stable employment, property ownership, family ties in India, and enough money to cover the trip. A clear travel itinerary helps.

Indian citizens generally can't apply for an eTA on its own. The exception: if you've held a Canadian TRV in the past ten years or currently hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa, you may be eligible for an eTA when flying to Canada. Otherwise, you need the full TRV.

Study permit applicants need a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, proof of funds (tuition plus around CAD 20,000 per year for living expenses), and sometimes a provincial attestation letter depending on the province. You may also need a medical exam and police certificate.

Work permits hinge on your job offer. If your employer has an LMIA, that strengthens your application. Some roles—like intra-company transfers or NAFTA professionals—don't need one. Open work permits exist for spouses of skilled workers and students in certain programs.

Super visa sponsors must meet minimum income thresholds set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The parent or grandparent applying needs medical insurance from a Canadian provider, valid for at least one year and covering a minimum of CAD 100,000.

What you'll pay in visa fees for 2026

Fees depend on the visa type. A TRV for a single entry or multiple entries costs CAD 100 per person as of early 2025. Families applying together pay per applicant.

Biometrics add CAD 85 per person or CAD 170 for a family of two or more. You give fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre.

Study permits run CAD 150. Work permits are also CAD 155 for most categories, though some employer-specific permits cost CAD 230.

The super visa application fee is CAD 100, the same as a TRV, but the mandatory medical insurance can cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on age and coverage length.

Check the IRCC fee page before you apply; rates adjust occasionally.

How long processing takes

Processing times vary by visa type and where you apply from. For Indian applicants, TRVs currently take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the visa office and time of year. High volumes during summer and holiday seasons slow things down.

Study permits processed in India average around eight to twelve weeks, though that can stretch longer if additional documents are requested.

Work permits depend on whether an LMIA is involved. LMIA processing alone can take weeks or months. Once approved, the work permit application itself takes several more weeks.

Super visas are processed similarly to TRVs, often within a few months, but medical exams and insurance documentation can add time.

The IRCC processing times tool gives current estimates by visa type and country.

Why most Indian passport holders can't use the eTA

The eTA system was designed for nationals of visa-exempt countries—places like the UK, Australia, and most of Europe—who don't need a full visa to enter Canada by air. Indian citizens aren't on that list.

There's one exception. If you've held a Canadian TRV in the last ten years or you currently hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa, you can apply for an eTA instead of a new TRV when flying to Canada. This makes repeat visits simpler. If you're entering by land or sea from the U.S., you don't need an eTA at all, just the appropriate status.

Without that prior visa history, you go through the standard TRV process, which includes more documentation, biometrics, and a longer wait.

Knowing which path you're on before you book flights saves headaches. The TRV is your default unless you meet the narrow eTA criteria.

Official current rules are at canada.ca/immigration; this guide is independent reference content.

A small portion of this article — research support, fact-cross-checking, and copy-editing — was assisted by AI tooling. Editorial decisions, source verification, and final sign-off remain with our team. We cite primary sources from canada.ca for every factual claim.

IRCC.com is an independent news site and not affiliated with the Government of Canada.