Visit Canada on Holiday (vacation)

Visitors are persons who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and are legally authorized to enter Canada to:

• visit Canada on holiday (vacation),
• visit family,
• conduct business, etc.
  

Visitors are restricted in length of stay and subject to various conditions.

Apply–Visit Canada as a tourist

Please note the new fees for the Temporary Residents Program and adult citizenship applications.

Attention

Starting on December 11, 2013, citizens of Bangladesh will need to give biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph) when they apply for a visitor visa [study permit or work permit]. As of December 11, 2013, there will be a fee for this service. If you apply at a visa application centre (VAC) before this date, you can give your biometrics and get certain application handling services at no cost. Learn more about biometrics.

Before you plan your visit, you should find out if you need a visa to enter Canada. If you do not need a visitor visa, you will still need to meet specific requirements..

Starting between September and December 2013, citizens from 29 countries and 1 territory will need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) when they apply for a visa.
If you need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photograph), and you are applying on paper, please do not mail in your application. Submit your application in person to the visa application centre (VAC) nearest you. VAC staff will check that your application is complete and will confirm that you have paid the correct fees before you can give your biometrics. If you are applying from within the United States, submit your application online.

You can apply online or on paper. If you need help, you can contact your nearest visa application centre (VAC).

Apply online

Apply on paper

1. Get the application package

The package includes the instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download the application package.
Read the guide before you fill out the forms. We will not refund your application fee, so make sure you are eligible for a temporary resident (visitor) visa before you apply.
You must fill out and sign your own form, even if you are travelling as part of a family. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign the form.

2. Pay your application fees

• Contact us for the most up to date application fees.
• Learn about the payment methods.

Please note that in most countries, application fees must be paid in Canadian dollars. Check the website of your nearest visa office for more information on fees.
If you apply at a VAC, you will have to pay the VAC services fees. These fees are not included in your CIC application fees.

3. Submit your application

Read the application guide before you apply.
You can get help to fill out and submit your application at your nearest VAC. You can also find out where to apply on your visa office's website.
Remember to:

• Sign and date the application forms. If you are:
  • 18 years of age or older, sign and date in where shown,
  • less than 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must sign your form.
• Include the last page of the form, which contains your unique barcodes. It will look like this:

• Include all document and fees we asked for in the envelope.

When you apply, you must include:

• a valid travel document (such as a passport),
• two recent passport photos of each family member (unless you are a citizen of a country that needs to provide biometrics). Make sure these photos meet the requirements.
• the application fee (we will not refund our fee, even if we do not accept your application.),
• proof that you have enough money for your visit to Canada. The amount of money may vary. It depends on things such as how long you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.
• documents such as identification cards, proof of employment, a letter of invitation from relatives or friends in Canada, or a travel schedule.

Note: The amount of money you need and the supporting documents you must submit depends on individual circumstances. To find out more, visit the website of your nearest visa office.

4. Check processing time

How long it takes to process your application depends on where you applied. For more information,Contact us.

A step-by-step look at biometrics Learn about where and how to give biometrics when applying for a visa, study or work permit. This new requirement takes effect between September and December 2013 for certain countries. The process is fast and safe, and will help to reduce identity fraud. Share this video This video is also available in HD on YouTube where you can leave a comment, share it on your social network or embed it into your site. Transcript: “A step-by-step look at biometrics” Video length: 3:50 minutes Narrator: Every year, more than 25 million people visit Canada to enjoy the many opportunities our country has to offer. Music begins playing softly in the background. Visuals on screen: airport visuals of planes flying, customs, baggage, people in a classroom setting, people walking around in a city. Narrator: And like many other countries, including the United Kingdom, Malaysia, the U.S and Saudi Arabia for example. Visuals on screen: Waving Canada flag, flashes of flags from United Kingdom, Malaysia, the U.S and Saudi Arabia. Narrator: Canada is using biometrics to facilitate legitimate travel while protecting the safety of Canadians. Visuals on screen: Images of persons, photographs and images of fingerprinting. Text on screen reads: Biometrics. Narrator: Depending on your country of citizenship, you may now be required to provide biometric information—your fingerprints and photograph. Transition to graphics of map of the world with Canada highlighted in red. Text on screen reads: Fingerprints and Photograph. Narrator: When applying for a Canadian temporary resident visa, study permit or work permit, Map of the word blurs and text on screen reads: Temporary Resident Visa, Study Permit, Work Permit. Narrator: you may submit your application online or through a Visa Application Centre. Images on screen show graphics of a computer and an image of a waiting room in a Visa Application Centre. Narrator: But you will have to visit a Visa Application Centre if you need to provide your biometric information. To find out if this affects you, just visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at cic.gc.ca/biometrics. Image on screen shows a webpage from the CIC website paired with the website address. Text reads: www.cic.gc.ca/biometrics. Narrator: If you apply online, you will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter through your MyCIC account if biometrics are required. Image on screen shows the webpage from the CIC website on a laptop. A You Have Mail! notification pops up on the screen and the camera zooms in to the image. Narrator: Simply print it and bring it with you, along with your passport or travel document, to the nearest Visa Application Centre. Image on screen shows a printer printing a letter then transitions to an image of the letter along with the graphic of a passport. Narrator: If you apply for your visa, study permit or work permit at a Visa Application Centre, Image on screen shows an animation of a woman now at a desk with a Visa Application Centre officer. The image blurs and text on screen reads Temporary Resident Visa, Study Permit, Work Permit, one after another, and then zooms out to show them all listed side by side. The image on screen shows a blurred Visa Application Centre office in the background. The text on screen reads: Visa Fee, Biometrics Fee. Narrator: staff will check that your application is complete and will confirm that you have paid the correct amount of fees. If biometrics are required, you may then proceed to have your fingerprints and photograph taken. Image on screen shows graphic of a fingerprint and the text beside it reads: Fingerprints. Then a graphic of a photograph appears on screen and the text beside it reads: Photograph. Narrator: If you are travelling with family members, all applicants from the ages of 14 to 79 must visit a Visa Application Centre to have their fingerprints and photographs taken. Image on screen shows a Visa Application Centre’s waiting room. Text on screen reads: 14–79 years. Narrator: The biometrics collection process is quick and easy. To have your fingerprints taken, first display the palms of your hands for inspection. The operator must be able to see if you have any injury or decoration that could prevent high-quality fingerprints from being taken. Image on screen shows a Visa Application Centre’s office. A computer screen shows an image of a man giving fingerprints. A graphic of a pair of hands, palms facing out to the camera appears with a checkmark beside it. A graphic of a hand with henna designs appears on the screen. An X is marked in the right bottom corner. Narrator: Place the four fingers of your right hand flat on the scanner and then do the same with your left hand. Image on screen shows an image of a woman’s right hand on a biometrics scanner. A graphic of a scan of the fingerprints is shown along with a graphic of a left and right hand. The four fingers on the right hand are highlighted in green. Then an image of a woman’s left hand on a biometrics scanner is shown. A graphic of a scan of the fingerprints is shown along with a graphic of a left and right hand. The four fingers on the left hand are highlighted in green. Narrator: Lastly, place both thumbs on the scanner at the same time. An image on screen shows a woman’s two thumbs on a biometrics scanner. A graphic of a scan of the fingerprints is shown along with a graphic of a left and right hand. All fingers on the right and left hands are highlighted in green. Narrator: For the photo, face the camera directly. An image of a woman’s photograph with head tilted to the left is shown. An X is marked in the right bottom corner. Another photographic image of the woman appears. This time the woman is looking into the camera. A green checkmark appears in the bottom right corner. Text on screen reads: Face the Camera. Narrator: If you are wearing glasses, please remove them. An image of a photograph of a woman wearing glasses appears on screen. An X is marked in the right bottom corner. Another photographic image of the woman appears. This time the woman is not wearing glasses. A green checkmark appears in the bottom right corner. Text on screen reads: Remove Glasses. Narrator: Keep hair and scarves away from your face to ensure that your face can be seen clearly. An image of a photograph of a woman wearing a scarf covering her hair and the bottom half of her face appears. An X is marked in the right bottom corner. Another photographic image of the woman appears. This time the woman’s scarf is not covering her face. A green checkmark appears in the bottom right corner. Text on screen reads: Keep Hair and Scarves from Face. Narrator: Keep your expression neutral. Do not frown or smile. An image of a photograph of a man smiling appears. An X is marked in the right bottom corner. Another photographic image of the man appears. This time the man is not smiling. A green checkmark appears in the bottom right corner. Text on screen reads: Keep Neutral Expression. Narrator: That’s it! It only takes a few minutes. Narrator: Your fingerprints, photograph and personal information will be encrypted and stored in a secure Government of Canada database and will be handled in line with Canada’s privacy laws. Image of a large vault appears on screen. Narrator: When you arrive in Canada, a border services officer will compare you to the photo in your passport and to the photo taken when you applied for your visa, which will appear on the officer’s computer screen. You may be asked to provide your fingerprints again, if necessary, to confirm your identity. Image on screen shows video clip of a family arriving at the airport. Family approaches a border services officer’s desk, and they hand over paper documents upon arrival in Canada. Narrator: Collecting your biometric information helps to ensure that nobody else can use your identity to apply for a visa. It offers a reliable check to help visa officers establish your identity with greater confidence. Screen clears of all images and text on screen reads: Biometrics helps protect your identity. Then switches to read: Helps establish your identity with greater confidence. Narrator: To find out more about biometrics, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at www.cic.gc.ca/biometrics. Text dissolves and then shows CIC’s website image. Text on screen reads: www.cic.gc.ca/biometrics. Background music slowly fades out as screen fades to black. The Citizenship and Immigration logo appears in the centre of the screen in English and French. The following text appears in white at the bottom of the screen: © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2013 Music ends. The Canada wordmark appears in the centre of the screen. Video fades to black for a final time as the video ends. :::::: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): What you need to know If you plan to visit Canada by air, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Find out how easy it is to apply online. Learn how to get your eTA before you book your flight to Canada. Transcript: “Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): What you need to know” Video length: 2:13 minutes Animated video Pleasant, upbeat music plays. A red suitcase is shown. Various articles of clothing appear in the suitcase, one by one. Suitcase closes by itself. Narrator: When you’re planning to travel, you know that being prepared is important. It’s the best way to travel—stress free. Canada flag sticker appears on the suitcase. Text displays: “A change you should know about”. Narrator: To make sure your visit to Canada goes as smoothly as possible, here is a change you should know about if you are travelling by air. A tablet appears in front of the suitcase. Text: “eTA – Electronic Travel Authorization”, appears on its screen against a background of an airplane in flight. Text displays: “You may need an eTA before you fly to or transit through Canada.” Narrator: It’s called eTA—electronic travel authorization. You may need an eTA before you board your flight to Canada, even if you are just transiting through the country. Exceptions include American citizens and visitors with a valid visa. Text displayed beside tablet: “Exceptions include American citizens and visitors with a valid visa”. Narrator: It’s best to get your eTA before you book your flight to Canada. You may not be able to fly without it. Text displayed beside tablet: “Get your eTA before you book your flight To Canada”. Text displayed on the tablet: “eTA – Electronic Travel Authorization – Apply”. Text displayed beside tablet: “Simple – inexpensive – a few minutes to complete”. Narrator: Getting your eTA is a simple, inexpensive, online process, which takes just a few minutes to complete. A passport, a credit card and an envelope appear around the tablet. Narrator: All you need is your passport, a credit card, an email address and access to the Internet. A wireless keyboard appears in front of the tablet. A padlock appears beside the tablet. Text displayed beside the tablet: “Safe and secure”. Narrator: The process is completely safe and secure. A finger taps the “Apply” button on the tablet. Examples of information are entered into form fields on the tablet, and a finger taps the submit button. Text displayed on the tablet: “The fee is only CAN$7.” Narrator: You will enter basic personal information like your name, passport number, email address, answer a few simple questions and submit your application. The fee is only CAN$7. In most cases, the eTA will be granted within minutes of applying. A ticking clock is shown on the tablet. The clock turns into a checkmark on a green background. Two thin slots in the suitcase open. A keyboard and tablet slide into the suitcase. The suitcase is then shown on a conveyor belt. Text displays above the suitcase: “Your eTA is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires”. Narrator: Once approved, your eTA is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. A world globe is shown. An airplane and flight lines are shown converging on Canada. Narrator: This means you can fly to Canada without reapplying so long as your eTA and passport remain valid. An airplane is shown on the ground and a hand holding a passport approaches the plane. A line comes off the passport and points to the text “eTA”. Narrator: To make sure that you can board your flight to Canada, you will need to travel with the passport you used to apply for your eTA as the eTA is electronically linked to it. If in doubt, you can always check the status of your eTA on Canada.ca/eTA. Text appears on the tablet against a sky background: “Canada.ca/eTA”. To find out more, including who needs an eTA and who doesn’t, visit Canada.ca/eTA. See you in Canada! An airplane takes off over the text: “Canada.ca/eTA”. Citizenship and Immigration Canada corporate signature followed by the Canada wordmark are shown on a white background.