Canada Visitor Visa (TRV) 2026: Who Needs One and How to Apply

A visitor visa — officially a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — is the document most foreign nationals need to travel to Canada for tourism, family visits or short business trips. It is a sticker that Canada places inside your passport once you have shown you meet the requirements to enter. If you are from a visa-required country, this is almost always the document you will apply for. Here is how the process works in 2026, and how it differs from the cheaper, faster eTA.

Who needs a visitor visa vs an eTA

The starting rule from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is simple: you need either a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) — not both in most cases. Which one you need depends on your nationality and, importantly, how you travel.

• If you are a citizen of a visa-required country, you generally need a visitor visa (TRV).
• If you are from a visa-exempt country (or a select group of visa-required nationals who qualify), you usually need only an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport.
• The eTA covers air travel only. If you are a visa-required national arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship), you still need a visitor visa, not an eTA.

A few special cases: US citizens do not need a visa or an eTA (they travel on a valid passport or accepted document), and US lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) have been exempt from the eTA since April 26, 2022 — though they must carry a valid passport plus their green card. If you are unsure, use IRCC's official Check if you need a visa or eTA tool before you book anything. For a passport-by-passport breakdown, see our guide on the eTA vs visitor visa: which one you need by passport.

The online application, step by step

Almost everyone applies online through an IRCC secure account. The government's official page, Visitor visa (temporary resident visa), walks through the flow. In broad strokes:

1. Create or sign in to an IRCC account and answer the eligibility questions.
2. Receive a personalized document checklist generated for your specific situation.
3. Upload your documents and complete the application forms.
4. Pay your fees online.
5. Give biometrics (see below) if required, then wait for a decision.

The visitor visa fee is CAD $100 per person, with a family maximum of CAD $500. Biometrics cost an extra CAD $85 per person, capped at CAD $170 for a family applying together. You can confirm current amounts on IRCC's official fee list.

Biometrics: what to expect

If you are between 14 and 79 years old, you almost certainly need to give biometrics — your fingerprints and a photo. After you pay, IRCC sends a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL), which you take to an official Visa Application Centre (VAC) to have your biometrics collected in person. A key point that trips people up: IRCC counts processing time from the day it receives your biometrics, not the day you submit online. On the upside, for visitor-visa applicants biometrics are generally valid for 10 years, so repeat trips within that window are easier.

Typical documents

Your portal checklist is the final word, but visitor-visa applicants are commonly asked for:

• A valid passport.
• Proof of funds — usually recent bank statements showing you can support your stay.
• Purpose of travel — an itinerary, and a letter of invitation if you are visiting family or friends.
• Proof of ties to your home country — such as an employment letter, property, or family — to show you will return.
• Certified translations for any document not in English or French.

Strong, well-organized ties and clear finances are what most reduce the risk of refusal.

Processing times

There is no single number. Processing varies widely by country and by how busy IRCC is. As an illustration, IRCC's estimates published around April 29, 2026 ranged from roughly 11 days for applications made inside Canada to about 17 days (Philippines), 22 days (United States), 27 days (India), 45 days (Nigeria) and 48 days (Pakistan) — and these figures change constantly. Always check the official processing-times tool on canada.ca for the current estimate for your country, and apply well before you travel.

TRV vs eTA at a glance

• Visitor visa (TRV): CAD $100 + biometrics; a physical sticker in your passport; for visa-required nationals; longer processing. IRCC often issues multiple-entry visas valid up to 10 years or until the passport expires.
• eTA: CAD $7; electronically linked to your passport; for eligible air travellers; frequently approved within minutes; valid up to five years or until the passport expires.

Choosing the wrong one — or assuming an eTA covers a land border crossing — is a common and avoidable mistake. Confirm your category first, then apply.

IRCC.com is an independent news and information website. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Government of Canada, and we do not provide immigration services or legal advice. Entry requirements change — always verify with official sources before you travel.