Canada has opened its borders for tourists from all around the world after almost two years. The worldwide lockdown in March 2020 caused Canada to impose travel restrictions. However, the country successfully transitioned from the pandemic phase and started lifting some restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers.
Some relaxations were announced in late summer 2021 allowing travellers who fulfill the required criteria to enter Canada. These include vaccination requirements, pre-entry testing, random on-arrival testing, uploading of documents on ArriveCAN app or website, etc. The most recent announcement declared that fully vaccinated travellers will not be required to provide pre-entry Covid-19 test results to enter Canada from April 1.
The country is rapidly making it convenient for visitors to get a tourist visa without much restrictions and troubles. As a result, tourists can now visit Canada and reunite with their families for the first time since the pandemic started.
About Visitor Visa
A Visitor Visa, also called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV, is an official document that shows that tourists meet the requirements needed to enter Canada. Most travellers need a Visitor Visa to travel to Canada. A Visitor Visa is required even if tourists are transiting through a Canadian airport on the way to their final destination.
Who are Visitors?
Visitors are persons who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and are legally authorized to enter Canada to visit on holiday (vacation), visit family, conduct business, etc.
Tourists on Visitor Visa have a restricted length of stay and are also subject to various conditions.
Usually tourists can stay for up to 6 months in Canada with a Visitor Visa. Sometimes border services officers at the port of entry may allow tourists to stay less or more than 6 months. In that case, they put the date on which the tourist must leave the country on their passport. They may also give a document called visitor record which shows the date they must leave.
How to apply
Tourists can apply for a Visa either on paper or through the online portal of IRCC.
Online process
To apply online, tourists must:
- Check if they are eligible to travel.
- Create an online account on the official IRCC portal.
- Submit documents mentioned in the checklist to prove that they meet the requirements.
- Pay the application and biometric fees.
- After submitting the application and paying the fees successfully, applicants receive a letter mentioning the details of their appointment at the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC). Applicants have 30 days to visit the centre and give their biometrics and photo.
The application is then processed by the officials. The processing time for a tourist visa is 15 days. However, it may vary according to the location of the application centre, individual cases and documents submitted.
Once approved, passport and original documents are returned along with a valid Visitor Visa. Tourists are also required to fulfil the travel requirements and pass the identity check in order to get an approval stamp on their passport by the border services officials at the port of entry.
On Paper
To apply through offline method, tourists must:
- Gather all documents mentioned in the document checklist. They must also check that the documents are translated in English or French.
- Fill out the TRV form completely and accurately. Attach all documents mentioned in the documents checklist. Also add any additional documents if required in order to avoid delays in the processing.
- Pay the fees on the official IRCC online portal and print two copies of the receipt. Attach one copy with the application form as proof of payment.
- Submit the application to the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC). Give their biometrics and photo at the VAC when called for the same.
- A visa officer will review the application and documents attached. After approval, all original documents and passport are returned along with the requested visa.
ArriveCAN
ArriveCAN is a free and secure official platform of the Canadian Government where travellers can provide information before entering Canada. It is mandatory for all tourists to upload their travel information and necessary documents before entering Canada. Tourists are required to upload the information within 72 hours of arriving at the borders.
Special measure for people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine
In support of those affected by the Russian invasion on Ukraine, the Government of Canada created the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). This program aims to help citizens of Ukraine and their family members to come to Canada at the earliest. The country will provide them with the ability to work and study while in Canada.
Thus, tourists can now visit Canada as the country is open for visitors once again. With most of the pandemic-related limitations lifted, Canada is all set to integrate more and more tourists and travellers now.
