10 common questions asked by visitors to Canada

Recent updates to visitors visa requirements for certain Mexican nationals may lead other foreign nationals planning to visit Canada to have questions about their own situations.

How long can I stay in Canada as a visitor?

Typically, visitors to Canada can stay for six months from the date of entry (or until their passport expires, whichever is sooner). A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will mark the date a visitor must depart Canada either with a stamp in their passport or through a document provided to them.

Visitors wishing to stay in Canada beyond their initially authorized period can apply for an extension (details on this follow).

What is the difference between a single-entry and a multiple-entry visa?

A single-entry visa allows the holder to enter Canada only once, while a multiple-entry visa permits multiple entries as long as the visa is valid.

Note: All visitor visa applicants are automatically considered for a multiple-entry visa, but Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) assesses each application individually and issues visas accordingly.

The IRCC specifies that single-entry visa holders will need a new visa to re-enter Canada after leaving, except when traveling directly to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Multiple-entry visas are valid for either 10 years or one month before the visa holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Each entry on a multiple-entry visa allows the holder to stay in Canada for up to six months.

Can I submit a single visa application for my whole family if we are traveling together?

No. Although all family members’ applications can be submitted in the same envelope (along with a single receipt covering all fees), each person must complete and sign an individual visitor visa application.

This rule also applies to other required forms, except for the Family Information form, which only applicants aged 18 or older need to complete.

Note: Parents or guardians can assist children in completing their form(s), and all applicants under 18 must have their document(s) signed by a parent or guardian.

Can I assist a friend or family member in visiting Canada?

Yes, though friends and family must submit their own visa applications, you can provide a letter of invitation to help a loved one’s application. This document explains how you may support the applicant, such as covering accommodation costs. However, a letter of invitation does not guarantee visa approval.

Do I need a medical exam to obtain a visitor visa?

This depends on how long the visitor plans to stay in Canada.

Most visitors staying six months or less do not need a medical exam, unless they plan to work in a position where “protection of public health is essential.” A list of jobs that fall under this requirement is available here.

This public health requirement also applies to visitors staying longer than six months. Visitors staying over six months will also need a medical exam if they meet either of the following two conditions:

The applicant has lived or resided in a designated country or territory for six or more consecutive months.
The applicant is applying for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa.
This applies to all visitors, including those from visa-exempt countries, who have spent time in any of the designated countries during the year immediately before their attempt to enter Canada.

Is a visitor visa the same as a visitor record?

No, they are not the same. A visitor visa is required for foreign nationals who wish to travel and enter Canada as a visitor, typically for up to six months.

A visitor record, on the other hand, is issued by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers to either extend or limit the holder’s stay in Canada. This document can also be granted by CBSA or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) when an applicant’s request to extend their stay or restore their status is approved.

I got a new passport but have a valid visa in my old one. Can I still use the visa in my old passport?

IRCC states that it is possible to travel to Canada with a valid visitor visa in an old passport. However, travelers must bring both of the following documents when traveling to Canada:

• The old passport with the valid visa
• The new valid passport or travel document

Travelers may need to explain to CBSA officers why their old passport is no longer valid.

Note: To avoid any delays at the Canadian border, IRCC recommends that visitors obtain a new visitor visa in their new, valid passport.

How can I extend my stay as a visitor?

To extend your stay in Canada, you must submit biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph) and apply for a visitor record. This document allows you to stay in Canada under one of the following options:

• As a visitor
• As a worker authorized to work in Canada without a work permit
• As a student authorized to study in Canada without a study permit

You can find the steps to apply for a visitor record online on the IRCC website.

Can I file an appeal if my visitor visa is denied?

There is no appeal process for a visitor visa application with IRCC.

If your visitor visa is denied, you can reapply, but IRCC recommends doing so only if your situation has changed or if you have new information that may affect the outcome of your application.

Do I need a visa if I’m just traveling through Canada on my way to another country?

The documentation needed for travelers transiting through Canada depends on their specific situation.

Travelers generally fall into two categories: visa-required travelers (from countries that require a visa) and visa-exempt travelers (from countries that require an electronic Travel Authorization, eTA).

Some visa-required travelers may need a visitor visa. This applies to travelers who are:

Visa-required travelers may need a visitor visa if they are:

• Visiting Canada (even if traveling by air and staying in Canada for less than 48 hours)
• Staying in Canada for more than 48 hours while transiting through the country to another destination
• Crossing the Canadian border via any of the following modes of transportation: bus, car, train, boat, or cruise ship

Other visa-required travelers may only need a transit visa. This applies to travelers who:

• Have an international flight that stops at a Canadian airport on the way to another country
• Are connecting between two international flights at a Canadian airport
• Are transiting through Canada in 48 hours or less
• Do not have a valid visitor visa

Visa-exempt travelers need an (electronic Travel Authorization) to transit through Canada by air. Travelers transiting through Canada by train, bus, boat, or cruise ship are not required to obtain an electronic Travel Authorization but must still carry the correct travel documents.

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