Canada – Visas

Do I need a visa to move to Canada?

Your nationality, the type of travel document you hold, and your mode of arrival all determine whether you need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. These are two separate requirements within a layered entry framework — understanding which one applies to your situation is essential before booking flights or embarking on a longer-term move.

Citizens of visa-exempt countries are required to hold a valid eTA and passport when boarding a flight to Canada, but do not need a visitor visa. That said, the eTA requirement does not apply if you are arriving overland by car, bus, train, or by sea (including cruise ships), though a valid passport remains necessary regardless. The eTA functions as a largely automated pre-screening mechanism rather than a conventional visa application.

If you hold a valid US passport, you are exempt from needing a Canadian visa, an eTA, or any other pre-entry authorisation to enter Canada. This stands as one of the most significant exemptions in the Canadian entry framework and reflects the longstanding close ties between the two neighbouring nations.

Nationals of certain other countries must obtain both a visa and a valid passport before travelling to Canada. As a recent illustration, Canada introduced a partial visa requirement for Mexican citizens in February 2024 in response to concerns about irregular migration. This serves as a reminder that entry requirements are not static — travellers should always confirm their current status before making plans or submitting applications.

It is vital to understand that entry on a visitor visa or eTA permits only short-term stays — ordinarily up to six months. Neither grants the right to work or reside in Canada on a long-term basis. Those seeking extended settlement must apply through a designated immigration programme. Always confirm your individual requirements using the official IRCC entry requirements tool.

What types of visa are available for people moving to Canada?

Canada does not offer a dedicated “retirement visa” in the manner of some other countries (such as Portugal’s D7 Passive Income Visa). Immigration to Canada is instead structured primarily around economic contribution, family connections, or humanitarian need. The principal pathways for prospective expats are set out below.

Express Entry (Skilled Worker Programmes)
To enter the Express Entry pool, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for one of three federal programmes: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class. Each programme has distinct requirements relating to work history, educational background, and language ability. Express Entry is broadly the fastest and most common path to permanent residence for skilled workers, and draws conceptual comparison to Australia’s points-based General Skilled Migration system — though the scoring methods and selection mechanisms differ considerably.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program enables participating Canadian provinces and territories to identify and nominate immigration candidates whose skills align with regional labour market needs, with a view to granting them permanent residence. This route is particularly valuable for applicants whose expertise is in high demand in a particular area, or those with pre-existing connections to a specific province. Every participating province operates its own streams, each with its own eligibility criteria.

Temporary Work Permits
Work permits authorise foreign nationals to work in Canada for a defined employer and duration. Many are employer-specific and require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which demonstrates that no suitable Canadian worker was available for the position. The Express Entry-managed Federal Skilled Trades Class targets foreign workers with recognised skilled trade qualifications. Work permits are frequently used as a transitional step on the path to permanent residence.

Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed Persons Programme
The Federal Business Class is designed to attract highly capable individuals who can contribute to Canada’s strategic economic development. It encompasses the Start-Up Visa programme, aimed at drawing early-stage, high-growth companies with the potential to create Canadian jobs, and the Self-Employed Persons programme, which targets exceptional individuals in cultural or athletic fields.

Family Sponsorship
IRCC administers family-based applications to help reunite families separated by international borders. Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor eligible relatives, including spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, and — through dedicated programmes — parents and grandparents.

Super Visa
Parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents may apply for the Super Visa, a multi-entry temporary resident visa allowing them to spend up to five years per entry in Canada with their family, with the option of applying for extensions of up to two additional years while in the country. The Super Visa carries an overall validity period of ten years.

How do I apply for a visa for Canada?

The application process differs depending on the visa category or immigration programme under which you are applying. The general steps below apply to the most commonly used routes. Always consult the IRCC official website for programme-specific instructions, as procedures are subject to change.

1. Check your eligibility. Use IRCC’s online tool to establish whether you require an eTA, a visitor visa, or a particular immigration programme. For Express Entry, the Come to Canada wizard on the IRCC website can help you determine whether you meet the programme criteria.
2. Create an IRCC online account. The majority of applications are submitted digitally via the IRCC secure portal at canada.ca. For Express Entry, you enter a profile into the Express Entry pool rather than submitting a direct application at this stage.
3. Submit your Expression of Interest (Express Entry) or application form. For Express Entry, your profile is assigned a score through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which draws on a broad range of personal and professional factors. Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) are then eligible to submit a complete permanent residence application. For visitor visas and other programme types, you complete the applicable form online or on paper.
4. Pay the required fees. All application fees are payable online. Biometric fees, where applicable to your nationality and application type, are also due at this point.
5. Provide biometrics. For most visitor visa applications, you will be required to submit fingerprints and a photograph as part of the biometric process. Canada operates an extensive network for biometric collection, including 166 Visa Application Centres abroad, 77 Service Canada locations, and 130 US Application Service Centres. Applicants in the UK should attend a VFS Global Visa Application Centre, which collects biometrics on IRCC’s behalf across the country. Applicants in the US can visit one of the many designated Application Service Centres; details are available on the IRCC website.
6. Submit supporting documents. Upload or post all required materials in accordance with your personalised application checklist.
7. Attend a medical examination if required. Certain applicants — in particular those pursuing permanent residence or intending to stay in Canada for longer than six months — must undergo a medical assessment with an IRCC-designated physician.
8. Await a decision. IRCC processing times reflect the period from receipt of a complete application to the point at which a decision is issued. Progress on most applications can be monitored through your IRCC online account.

If you are located outside Canada and not in the US or UK, you should contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to confirm the applicable local procedures and identify any country-specific requirements. A complete directory of Canadian missions overseas is available on the Global Affairs Canada website.

What documents do I need to apply for a visa for Canada?

The precise documentation required varies according to the visa category and your personal circumstances. However, most Canadian visa and immigration applications share a common set of core supporting materials. Always follow the official document checklist generated through your IRCC application, as it is customised to your specific profile.

• Valid passport: Your passport must remain valid throughout your intended stay and, for most immigration applications, for a period beyond it. Make sure it contains sufficient blank pages for stamps and endorsements.
• Proof of funds: You must satisfy an immigration officer that you have sufficient ties to your home country — such as employment, property, financial assets, or close family — to guarantee your departure from Canada when required, and that you have adequate financial means for your stay. The exact amount required depends on the planned duration and whether you will be staying in commercial accommodation or with contacts. For permanent residence applications, formal proof of settlement funds is a mandatory requirement.
• Passport-sized photographs: These must conform to IRCC’s specified photo requirements.
• Completed application forms: Generated through the IRCC online portal based on your individual responses.
• Letter of invitation (where applicable): In certain circumstances, a letter from a contact in Canada may be required, as may a medical examination.
• Educational credential assessments (ECA): Express Entry applicants with qualifications obtained outside Canada are generally required to submit an ECA from an IRCC-designated organisation — such as World Education Services (WES) — to confirm their credentials meet Canadian equivalency standards.
• Language test results: Most economic immigration programmes require certified results from an approved language assessment (such as IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF for French). Tests must be recent, typically completed within the two years preceding the application.
• Employment records and reference letters: Documentation substantiating your work history, including pay slips, tax documents, and employer letters on official letterhead.
• Police clearance certificates: Required for permanent residence and certain longer-term applications, from all countries where you have lived for six months or more above a specified age threshold.
• Medical examination results: From an IRCC-designated physician, where required for your programme.

Documents that are not in English or French — Canada’s two official languages — must be submitted alongside a certified translation. Translators are required to supply a copy of their credentials and a signed declaration confirming the accuracy of the translation. IRCC does not maintain an approved translator list, though many applicants engage members of recognised professional translation bodies. Always check the current translation requirements on the IRCC website.

How long does a visa application for Canada take to process?

IRCC processing times are based on historical data — specifically, how long it took to reach a decision on 80% of past applications. The clock starts from the date IRCC receives your complete application, not the date you submitted it. This distinction matters — submitting an incomplete file will not trigger the processing timeline.

Processing time estimates for permanent residency and citizenship categories are refreshed monthly, while those for temporary resident visas, work permits, study permits, and PR cards are updated every week. Given that volumes and IRCC’s operational capacity can fluctuate considerably, it is important to consult the IRCC processing times tool frequently for the latest figures.

As a general reference point (as of 2025), Express Entry permanent residence applications — which are treated as a priority stream — are typically decided within around six months for the majority of uncomplicated cases, though this figure can vary. Visitor visa (TRV) applications are usually processed within a few weeks, though higher application volumes or country of residence can extend this period. Factors such as security screening, the completeness of submitted documents, background verification requirements, and IRCC’s internal workload all have the potential to affect timelines.

Family sponsorship continues to be one of the most time-consuming categories, particularly for applications involving Quebec, where an additional provincial approval step is involved. If your application has a Quebec dimension, build this extra layer into your planning horizon.

Given Canada’s substantial immigration intake and IRCC’s ongoing system modernisation, applicants should anticipate variation and allow themselves ample time ahead of any fixed deadlines. Submitting thorough documentation, monitoring updates on a regular basis, and building flexibility into your schedule are all prudent measures.

How much does it cost to apply for a visa for Canada?

IRCC fees for permanent residence applications — covering economic, permit holder, family, and humanitarian classes — are revised every two years in line with inflation. All fees must be paid in Canadian dollars (CAD). The figures below are intended as a guide only — always confirm current fees on the official IRCC fee schedule before submitting your application.

For the majority of permanent residence applications, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) becomes payable once your application is approved — before permanent resident status is formally granted. To avoid any delays at that stage, you have the option of paying the RPRF at the same time as your other application fees. The RPRF is CAD $575 as shown on the IRCC payment portal.

In addition to government fees, applicants should anticipate a range of ancillary costs that typically arise during the process. These may include: medical examination fees charged by the IRCC-designated physician, which vary by location; Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) fees for verifying foreign qualifications; language testing fees (IELTS costs, for example, vary by country); certified translation charges for documents not already in English or French; and, where applicable, the professional fees of an immigration consultant or lawyer. A biometrics processing fee also applies to many applicants, with authorised Visa Application Centre staff collecting fingerprints and a photograph once the biometric fee has been paid.

Can my family members join me in Canada on a visa?

Canada offers well-established routes for family members to accompany or join a principal applicant. The available options depend on the type of visa or immigration programme you hold.

Under Express Entry and most permanent residence programmes, spouses or common-law partners and dependent children may be named as accompanying family members within the same application. The principal applicant can include their spouse or common-law partner as a secondary applicant, along with any dependent children. Accompanying family members receive permanent resident status concurrently with the principal applicant and enjoy full rights to live, work, and study in Canada.

For those already holding temporary work permits, spouses and partners may be eligible for an open work permit, giving them the freedom to work for any employer in Canada. Open work permits for sponsored spouses or common-law partners and dependent children are among the permit categories available through IRCC’s programmes. Study permits for dependent children are also available, enabling them to attend Canadian schools and universities.

Where a family member is already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and wishes to bring relatives to Canada, the Family Sponsorship programme allows sponsors to reunite with spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, dependent children, and — through separate dedicated streams — parents and grandparents. Sponsors must satisfy income thresholds to demonstrate their capacity to provide financial support. As of 2025, consult the IRCC family sponsorship pages for the current Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) thresholds, which are reviewed on a regular basis.

Parents or grandparents may additionally apply for the Super Visa, a multi-entry temporary resident visa enabling them to spend up to five years per entry in Canada with their Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian family members. Super Visa applicants must hold health insurance that provides a minimum of $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, remains valid for at least one year, and covers health care and hospitalisation (as of 2025).

Can I extend my visa or apply for permanent residence in Canada?

Canada’s immigration framework is deliberately structured to provide pathways from temporary to permanent status. Temporary workers continue to make a vital contribution to the Canadian economy, and during 2024–2025 new routes were introduced to ease the transition from temporary work permits to permanent residency.

Visitor visas and eTAs can generally be extended from within Canada before their expiry, provided you continue to meet the conditions for a temporary stay. Extension applications are submitted online through IRCC. However, holding temporary visitor status does not in itself create a route to permanent residence — you would need to qualify under one of the economic or family immigration programmes described above.

The Canadian Experience Class is frequently the most accessible option for individuals who have already accumulated at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the preceding three years. This includes many international graduates who remain in Canada after completing their studies and build relevant experience through a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Studying in Canada can therefore itself serve as a foundation for a future permanent residence application.

For those approaching the end of their temporary status while awaiting a permanent residency decision, the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) offers a practical solution. It allows eligible Express Entry applicants to continue working lawfully in Canada while their permanent residence application is under review.

Permanent residency in Canada is granted for a five-year period and must be renewed. To maintain their status, permanent residents must satisfy a physical presence requirement — currently a minimum of 730 days in Canada within every five-year period. After fulfilling the qualifying residency period (generally three out of the last five years), permanent residents become eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. Refer to the IRCC citizenship eligibility pages for current requirements, as these may be subject to legislative amendment.

What are the most common reasons visa applications for Canada are refused?

Being aware of the grounds on which applications are commonly rejected is just as important as understanding what constitutes a strong submission. Some individuals are deemed inadmissible to Canada and are therefore prevented from entering the country. Inadmissibility can arise from involvement in certain activities, as well as for security, health, or financial reasons.

The most frequently cited grounds for refusal include:

• Failure to demonstrate genuine temporary intent (for visitor visas): Applicants must satisfy an immigration officer that meaningful ties exist to their home country — such as employment, property, financial assets, or close family — that will compel their return. Applications that do not clearly evidence an intention to leave Canada within the authorised period are routinely refused.
• Insufficient proof of funds: An inability to demonstrate adequate financial resources to support yourself and any accompanying dependants during your stay or settlement period is a frequent cause of refusal across multiple visa categories.
• Incomplete or inaccurate documentation: Missing paperwork, unsigned forms, outdated evidence, or inconsistencies between declared information and supporting documents commonly lead to processing delays or outright rejection.
• Criminal history: A criminal record — even for comparatively minor offences — may render an applicant inadmissible to Canada. In some circumstances, it is possible to seek Criminal Rehabilitation or obtain a Temporary Resident Permit to address this, though doing so adds both complexity and time to the process.
• Failed medical examination: Certain medical conditions can result in inadmissibility where they are judged to pose a risk to public health or public safety, or where treatment would place excessive demands on Canadian health or social services.
• Low CRS score (Express Entry): A low Comprehensive Ranking System score does not constitute a formal refusal, but it may mean an Invitation to Apply is not issued. Strategies to improve your score include achieving higher language test results, accumulating additional qualifying work experience, securing a provincial nomination, or obtaining an eligible job offer from a Canadian employer.

When an application is refused, IRCC will issue written reasons for the decision. For visitor visa refusals, it is generally possible to submit a fresh application with a stronger or more complete file that addresses the identified shortcomings — no mandatory waiting period applies, though resubmitting without making substantive changes is unlikely to produce a different result. For permanent residence refusals, an appeal may be possible through the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, subject to the programme involved. Given the complexity of Canadian immigration law, consulting a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a qualified immigration lawyer is strongly advisable following any refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to visit Canada as a tourist before deciding to move there?

The answer depends on your nationality. Some travellers need only an eTA (costing CAD $7), while others must apply for a full Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). In most cases, some form of pre-entry authorisation — either a visa or an eTA — is required to travel to Canada. Use IRCC’s online tool at canada.ca to confirm which category applies to you before making any travel arrangements.

Is there a retirement visa for Canada?

Canada does not operate a dedicated retirement visa programme. In contrast to countries such as Portugal or Mexico, which offer specific passive income or retirement visa pathways, Canada’s immigration system centres on economic contribution, family ties, and humanitarian grounds. Retirees may wish to explore the Super Visa as a means of visiting family in Canada, or the Family Sponsorship programme if they have eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident relatives.

What is the Express Entry system and how does it work?

Express Entry is a fast, transparent, and merit-driven route to permanent residence for those who wish to live and work in Canada on a permanent basis, and is open both to applicants already in Canada and those applying from abroad. Candidates submit a profile to an online pool and are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Those achieving the highest scores are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence during periodic selection draws conducted by IRCC.

Can I work in Canada while my permanent residence application is being processed?

Those whose temporary status is approaching expiry while they await a permanent residency decision may be eligible for the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), which allows qualifying Express Entry applicants to continue working lawfully in Canada during the processing period. Specific eligibility conditions apply, so review the IRCC work permit pages for comprehensive details.

How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?

In most cases, visitor visas (TRVs) and eTAs permit stays of up to six months per entry, though the final determination rests with the border officer at the point of entry. The eTA itself is valid for up to five years or until the passport it is linked to expires — whichever comes first — and allows multiple entries within that period. There is no need to obtain a new eTA before each visit, provided the existing one remains valid.

Do I need to speak French to immigrate to Canada?

French language ability is not a prerequisite for immigration to Canada, but demonstrating proficiency in French alongside English can substantially increase your Comprehensive Ranking System score under Express Entry. The system actively rewards French-language competence and sector-specific expertise. Those intending to settle in Quebec face additional provincial requirements, as Quebec generally expects applicants to demonstrate a level of French language ability as part of its own selection process.

What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and is it a good route for expats?

While a significant share of economic admissions flows through the federal Express Entry system, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) also plays an important role, enabling participating Canadian provinces and territories to select immigration candidates whose skills are aligned with regional workforce requirements for permanent residence. Receiving a provincial nomination adds 600 points to your Express Entry CRS score, making it an exceptionally powerful route for those who might not independently achieve a competitive score. Each province runs distinct streams, so it is worth thoroughly researching the province in which you intend to settle.

What happens if my Canadian visa application is refused?

IRCC will issue written grounds for the refusal. In the case of a visitor visa refusal, you may generally submit a new application supported by additional evidence that directly addresses the stated reasons. For permanent residence refusals, an appeal may be available through the Immigration Appeal Division, depending on the specific programme involved. Actual outcomes and timelines can vary based on country of residence, screening requirements, document completeness, and IRCC’s current workload. Seeking guidance from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a qualified immigration lawyer is strongly recommended following any refusal.