VISITOR VISA | Pro Immigration

What is a Visitor Visa?

A Canadian visa is an official document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that grants a foreign national authorization to travel to and enter Canada. Visitor Visas can be catogorized into "Single Visa" and "Multiple Visa" . The Single Visa allows for single entry whereas the "Multiple Visa" allows for you to enter and exit the country multiple times. Depending on your nationality, travel document, and purpose of travel, Canadian temporary entry permits generally fall into three main categories:

Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa - TRV): A physical counterfoil placed in your passport that permits entry for tourism, visiting family, or short business trips for up to 6 months per stay.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): An automated digital entry requirement for citizens of visa-exempt countries (e.g., UK, Australia, EU nations) arriving by air.
Super Visa: A specialized, long-term multiple-entry visa designed exclusively for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents (PRs).

Who is Exempt from Needing a Visitor Visa (TRV)?

U.S. Citizens & Green Card Holders: US citizens only need a valid US passport. US Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) do not need a visa or an eTA (regardless of nationality) as long as they travel with a valid foreign passport and proof of US permanent residency.
eTA-Eligible Travelers: Passport holders of visa-exempt countries (who only require a $7 eTA for air travel).
Land/Sea Arrivals from Visa-Exempt Countries: Citizens of eTA-eligible countries arriving by car, bus, train, or cruise ship do not need an eTA or a visa.
Diplomats & Official Representatives: Accredited foreign diplomats and officials traveling on official duties.

General Requirements to Enter Canada as a Visitor

Regardless of whether you apply for a TRV or an eTA, you must satisfy immigration officers of the following:

Valid Passport: A machine-readable travel document with sufficient validity.
Proof of Funds: Bank statements showing sufficient liquidity to cover accommodation, living costs, and return transport.
Ties to Home Country: Proof of ongoing employment, property ownership, or immediate family members back home to show you will leave Canada when your authorized stay ends.
Admissibility: Clean criminal record (no serious offenses or DUIs) and good health (medical exam required for long stays).

Which One is "Better" a Super Visa or a Visitor Visa?

Choose a Super Visa if...

You want long, uninterrupted stays: Perfect for parents/grandparents who want to live with family in Canada for 1–5 years continuously without having to apply for status extensions or exit every 6 months.
You want predictability: It avoids the need to frequently apply for 6-month visitor record extensions inside Canada.
The host meets the income cutoff: The child or grandchild in Canada earns enough income (verified via Notice of Assessment) to meet the MNI threshold.

Choose a Visitor Visa if...

The traveler is NOT a parent/grandparent: Siblings, adult children, friends, or other relatives cannot get a Super Visa.
Visits are short: The traveler only intends to visit for vacations or short holidays under 6 months.
Upfront cost is a factor: A visitor visa avoids the requirement of purchasing a full year of upfront private Canadian medical insurance and undertaking a mandatory immigration medical exam.
The host does not meet MNI requirements: If the Canadian host’s income falls below the required threshold, a regular visitor visa application is the fallback option.