Canada Visit Visa Complete Guide

Canada is renowned for being extremely welcoming to immigrants and offers a rich and diverse cultural experience. It also boasts stunning natural wonders and historical landmarks, making it an attractive destination for tourists.

Although many people obtain Canadian tourist visas without much difficulty, there are instances where applications are rejected due to incomplete forms or inadequate and inaccurate documentation.

To ensure a smooth process when applying for a Canadian tourist visa, it is crucial to understand all the essential requirements and procedures.

Who requires a Canada Visitor Visa?

Foreign nationals who would like to visit Canada for:

• Leisure and tourism purpose
• Meet family and friends
• Business purpose

All the above categories require having a visitor visa to enter Canada. This is a type of temporary resident visa.

• Must have a passport
• Must have good health
• Must have no criminal record
• Must have enough funds to support your stay in Canada
• Must provide the travel itinerary and to and from air tickets
• Must show proof of job, family, and financial assets  

What are the Documents Required for Canada Tourist Visa?

The 9 important documents required for a Canada visit visa are:

1. Passport

You need to have a genuine passport and other important travel documents. While applying for a Canada Visa to provide two photocopies containing the information page of your passport. 

The photocopies should include:

• Date of issue and expiry of the passport
• Passport Number
• Personal Information (it includes photo, name, date of birth and place of birth.

2. Photographs

Minimum 2 passport size photos are required when you are applying for a Canada Tourist Visa.

3. Proof of funds

You have to submit a proof that you can support the family during your stay or visit to Canada. These are the following documents that you have to submit as proof of funds:

• Bank statements
• Letter of employment (to show your annual earnings)
• Financial support evidence from friends/family to cover your expenses during your stay.
• Income evidence of the person who will host you during your stay in Canada
• Other financial proofs like property, PPFs, shares, FDs, etc
• Tax filing documents of the last 3 years

4. Cover letter

You should write a cover letter or declaration to the Government of Canada, explaining why they should provide you with a Tourist Visa.

5. Letter of invitation

If you are visiting your family or friends, then you have to submit a letter of invitation received from them

6. Visa application form and other documents

You have to download this visa application form the IRCC website. Then submit all the documents (pictures, fee receipts, passport copies, and other documents)

7. Travel itinerary 

A complete plan of the trip you are making including to and from air tickets. Mentioning the places you are going to visit. And, a detailed description of routes of travel you will be using during your visit to Canada.

8. Memorandum of Association and other documents

Self-employed applicants should submit Memorandum of Association (company’s important corporate document) and other supporting documents.

9. Documents of Proof

You need to make the visa officers believe that you are not planning to stay in Canada. The documents that are required are:

• Proof of employment:  Employment Contract details which claims that you are their permanent employee, job role in the company and your expected date to return to the company for work.
• Proof of lease, property dealing:  These documents prove that you will return to your country once your trip is over.

Note:  For the students, ID cards is mandatory and for retired applicants, they should show their pension slips and retirement proofs along with above documents for tourist visa 

Visa Application Process for Canadian Tourist Visa from Pakistan

The process to apply for a Canada visa needs the patience to follow a few steps:

• Step 1: Download the visa application 
• Step 2: Attach all the documents supporting the application
• Step 3: Pay the visa processing fee and biometrics fee 
• Step 4: Submit your application 
• Step 5: Give your biometrics (fingerprint and photograph) visit embassy or consulate
• Step 6: Upon reviewing your background check and eligibility, you will receive your decision.

During the review stage, the immigration department may ask for additional documents.

For the tourist visa the fee required is:

• Application fee: 100 CAD (20,481Pkr approx.)
• Biometrics fee: 85 CAD (17,409 Pkr approx.)

Funds Needed for a Canada Tourist Visa

An individual living in Canada needs 1000-1200 CAD (Pkr 245,779 approx.) per month for their monthly expenses, and if an applicant is coming for tourism, then 1800-2000 CAD (Pkr 409,632 approx.) for 30 days per person is enough.

This amount is an addition to the visa fees.

Processing Time for the Canada Tourist Visa

The processing time for visitor visas taken is 10-15 working days.

This time does not include:

• Time for giving biometrics
• Application send between VAC and visa office

Note: Visitor Visas are non-immigrant visa

Can you apply for a Canadian visa without an invitation letter?

An invitation letter is not compulsory to apply for a visitor visa. It is an added document to make your case strong and prove the immigration officer that you are visiting Canada to meet family or friends or  from canadian citizens who invited you over there.

Can a person work with a visitor visa?

You are not allowed to work or indulge in any commercial activity which will get you to enter the labour market when you have a visitor visa stamped in your passport.

How much time is a tourist visa valid?

A person whose visit visa is stamped in the passport can stay up to 6 months anywhere in Canada. You have to leave the country before the permit expiry date.

What is the way to prove that you will leave Canada?

You are required to provide proof apart from being a citizen of the country through the passport. The proofs can be:

• Proof to show that you have family in your home country from whom you have to support financially
• Proof that you will not study or work in Canada
• Proof of no criminal records

All these proofs should be submitted along with your visa application.

Why apply for a visitor visa online rather than by paper base?

The CIC government has started with an online process along with the paper process. Visa application through the online process can be better because:

• If submitted online no problem of courier and mailing
• Submission is received immediately
• The online process takes less time
• If you provide an incomplete visa application by offline mode, the visa application is returned to you after some days, whereas in online mode upon completion of the form, your visa application is submitted.
• Do not have to submit the passport until the CIC asks for it
• Get updates in your online account directly about the visa status

Who requires electronic travel authorization (eTA)?

Applicants from a country that do not require a visa and would be air traveling to Canada need eTA, travel document or should inform canada visa application centre before their travel time. 

What cannot be done on a visit visa?

The following cannot be done if you have a visit permit:

• You cannot study if you have a visitor visa and opt for a student visa by getting a study permit in the country
• You are not allowed to work in Canada as you do not have a work permit for the country
• You are not allowed to stay in Canada permanently

Conclusion

If you are planning to get a tourist Visa for Canada, then make sure you have submitted all the required documents properly. 

The documents needed are:

• Passport
• Photographs
• Proof of funds
• Cover letter
• Letter of invitation
• Visa application form and other documents  
• Travel itinerary 
• Memorandum of Association and other documents
• Documents of Proof

If you still have any confusion regarding the visa application process, feel free to reach out to us.