Eligibility
If you are applying for a tourist visa to enter Canada, you must meet at least the following conditions:
- have a valid travel document, like a passport
- be in good health
- have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
- convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
- convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
- have enough money for your stay
- the amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.
- you may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.
- to receive a parent’s super visa, the applicant’s child must meet some financial income requirements.
Some people are not allowed to enter Canada
Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:
- criminal activity
- human rights violations
- organized crime
- Security
- Health or
- Financial reasons
Minors can travel to Canada under certain conditions.
Documents Required to apply for a visitor visa
Documents required to apply for a tourist visa to Canada are following
- Valid passport.
- Bank statements for the last six months before sending the application.
- Valid real estate or business documents that show the applicant’s ties to the country of residence.
- If someone invites you to visit, an invitation letter, valid financial documents from the inviting person and residence status documents of the inviting person.
- If the applicant is employed by a company, a Letter from the employer with a description of the employment conditions.
- If the applicant is a self-employed, business registration and financial documents.
- If the applicant is retired, salary, benefits and bank account statements and other documents which show ties to the country of residence.
- If the applicant is a student, a Letter of registration from the Designated Learning Institute (DLI) is required.
- Marriage certificates(if applicable)
- Translation of the all documents that are not in English or French .
Validation of Visa and period of stay
Basically, a visitor visa is issued for multiple entries for a maximum of 10 years or up to the expiration date of the applicant’s passport. (Whichever comes first). A person with a visitor visa can stay in Canada for a maximum of six months each time they enter Canada, unless a specific date is stamped on their passport by the immigration officer at the port of entry.
Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents
Super Visa allows you to visit your children or grandchildren for up to 2 years. This is a multiple entry visa that allows multiple entries for a maximum period of 10 years.
Requirements:
To be eligible for a Super Visa, you must:
- Be the parent, grandmother or grandfather of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
- Have a signed letter from your child or grandchild inviting you to Canada that includes:
- A promise of financial support for the duration of your visit
- List and number of family members of this person
- Copy of this person’s residence documents
- Have health insurance from a Canadian insurance company that:
- Valid for at least 1 year from the date of arrival
- Coverage of at least CAD 100,000
- Have proof of health insurance premiums
You must also:
- Apply for a super visa from outside Canada
- Be eligible to enter Canada
- Perform an immigration medical examination
- Meet some other conditions
You cannot include dependents in this application.
The child or grandchild who invites you must prove that their family has the minimum income required. The following documents are examples of cases that can be used as proof of funds. Tax return forms, paystubs, letter from the employer.
Before the Immigration officer decides whether you can come to Canada, he/she will consider several other parameters. Including:
- You will leave Canada voluntarily at the end of your visit.
- Your ties to your country
- The purpose of your visit
- Your family and financial ability
- The overall economic and political stability of your country
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Visa Exempt Foreign Nationals
An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. An ETA is electronically linked to a traveler’s passport. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETA.
Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an ETA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. These travelers do not need an ETA when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship).
Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. need an ETA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. They must present a valid Green Card and a valid passport at check-in.
U.S. citizens are exempt from the ETA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport.
With a valid ETA, you can travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (normally for up to six months at a time). You do not need an ETA for travel within Canada.