TRV vs eTA — Which Do You Need?
Canada uses two separate entry systems depending on your nationality. Citizens of visa-exempt countries (including the UK, EU, Australia, and Japan) travelling by air require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), not a visa — it costs CAD$7 and is usually approved within minutes online. Citizens of most other countries require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also called a visitor visa.
Check the IRCC website to confirm which document applies to your passport. If you hold both a valid TRV and a passport from a visa-exempt country, the TRV takes precedence for entry.
Eligibility
Canada's visitor visa is not guaranteed — a visa officer must be satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorised stay and that your visit is genuine. Key factors officers consider: ties to your home country (employment, family, property); financial ability to support yourself during your stay; purpose of the visit; and your travel and immigration history.
Having a prior visa refusal from Canada, the United States, the UK, or Australia is not automatically disqualifying, but it must be disclosed on your application form. Undisclosed refusals are grounds for a finding of misrepresentation, which carries a five-year ban.
Required Documents
Applications are submitted online through the IRCC secure portal (My Account). You will be required to upload the following:
- Valid passport (scan of the photo page and all stamped pages)
- Digital photograph meeting IRCC specifications (white background, neutral expression)
- Proof of financial means: last 3–6 months bank statements, letter of employment confirming salary and authorised leave, or evidence of other financial support
- Proof of ties to home country: employment letter, property ownership documents, family commitments
- Letter of invitation from a Canadian host (if applicable)
- Purpose of visit documentation: event registration, booking confirmations, business meeting details
- Travel history: copies of previous visas and entry/exit stamps where available
- Application fee: CAD$100
Biometrics
Most applicants must provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph) when applying for a Canadian visitor visa. After submitting your online application and paying the CAD$85 biometrics fee, IRCC will send you a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). You then book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in your country to provide your biometrics.
Citizens of certain countries and some categories of applicants are exempt from biometrics — check the IRCC biometrics exemption list. Previously provided biometrics are valid for 10 years and can be reused for subsequent applications.
Processing Times and Fees
Processing times vary by country of application. IRCC publishes current processing time estimates on its website — typically 2–8 weeks, though some countries experience longer delays during peak periods. You can check your application status through the IRCC portal at any time.
The total fee for an adult TRV application is CAD$185: CAD$100 application fee plus CAD$85 biometrics fee. Family applications can be submitted together. Note: fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome.