Founder and Principal Consultant
Overview
What this page covers
- What is a temporary resident visa?
- How do you apply?
- Are you eligible?
- What documents do you need?
- How long does it take?
Most visitor visa refusals come down to two findings: that you have not shown enough ties to leave Canada, or that your funds are not adequately explained. Both are answerable, but they have to be answered before you file, not afterwards.
Key Points for Single Entry Visas:
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Allows a one-time entry into Canada.
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Typically used for specific visits or events.
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Valid for up to six months per visit.
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Must reapply for another visa after leaving Canada.
Key Points for Multiple Entry Visas:
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Permits multiple entries into Canada.
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Valid for up to 10 years or one month before the passport expires.
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Valid for up to 10 years or one month before the passport expires.
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Ideal for frequent travelers to Canada.
Tips
- Ensure your visit purpose is clear and documented
- Have a return ticket and proof of funds
- Maintain a good travel history to strengthen future applications
Understanding the CAN+ (Can Plus) Category
The CAN+ program, also written Can Plus or CAN Plus, is designed to expedite the visa process for applicants who have traveled to Canada or the United States in the last ten years. If you qualify for the CAN+ program, you may benefit from faster processing times and simplified documentation requirements. Check if you meet the eligibility criteria for the CAN+ program to take advantage of these benefits and streamline your visitor visa application process.
Worried Your Visitor Visa Will Be Refused?
Visitor visa refusals usually come down to ties and funds, and they are largely preventable. Send us your situation and we will tell you how your application actually looks to an officer.
How Do You Apply for a Visitor Visa?
Check Visa Requirements
1. Determine Eligibility
Identify if you need a Visitor Visa or qualify for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Citizens from visa-exempt countries typically need an eTA for air travel to Canada, while others require a TRV.
Essential Documents
IRCC Processing Time
Visitor Visa (TRV) from outside Canada
32 days
Current IRCC processing time for Visitor Visa (TRV) from outside Canada from India is 32 days.
As per IRCC, last updated 2026-09-23 00:41:25, refreshed weekly
Processing times for all countries
| Country of application | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 58 days |
| Albania | 54 days |
| Algeria | 27 days |
| Andorra | No processing time available |
| Angola | 174 days |
| Anguilla | No processing time available |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 24 days |
| Argentina | 21 days |
| Armenia | 10 days |
| Aruba | No processing time available |
| Australia | 13 days |
| Austria | 34 days |
| Azerbaijan | 85 days |
| Bahamas | 27 days |
| Bahrain | 59 days |
| Bangladesh | 37 days |
| Barbados | 35 days |
| Belarus | 17 days |
| Belgium | 40 days |
| Belize | 22 days |
| Benin | 128 days |
| Bermuda | 20 days |
| Bhutan | 25 days |
| Bolivia | 25 days |
| Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba | No processing time available |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 45 days |
| Botswana | 607 days |
| Brazil | 29 days |
| British Indian Ocean Territory | No processing time available |
| Brunei | No processing time available |
| Bulgaria | 31 days |
| Burkina Faso | 39 days |
| Burma (Myanmar) | 43 days |
| Burundi | 73 days |
| Cambodia | 49 days |
| Cameroon | 49 days |
| Cabo Verde | No processing time available |
| Cayman Islands | 27 days |
| Central African Republic | 113 days |
| Chad | 113 days |
| Chile | 27 days |
| China (People's Republic of) | 35 days |
| Colombia | 23 days |
| Comoros Island | No processing time available |
| Congo (Republic of) | 39 days |
| Costa Rica | 20 days |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 53 days |
| Croatia | No processing time available |
| Cuba | 21 days |
| Cyprus | 36 days |
| Czech Republic | 30 days |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | No processing time available |
| Denmark | 30 days |
| Djibouti | 78 days |
| Dominica | 20 days |
| Dominican Republic | 23 days |
| Ecuador | 28 days |
| Egypt | 59 days |
| El Salvador | 25 days |
| Equatorial Guinea | 119 days |
| Eritrea | 123 days |
| Estonia | 36 days |
| Ethiopia | 65 days |
| Fiji | 14 days |
| Finland | 25 days |
| France | 38 days |
| Gabon | 41 days |
| Gambia | 93 days |
| Georgia | 83 days |
| Germany | 28 days |
| Ghana | 78 days |
| Greece | 49 days |
| Grenada | 24 days |
| Greenland | No processing time available |
| Guatemala | 22 days |
| Guinea | 74 days |
| Guinea-Bissau | No processing time available |
| Guyana | 15 days |
| Haiti | 23 days |
| Holy See (Vatican City) | No processing time available |
| Honduras | 24 days |
| Hong Kong | 19 days |
| Hungary | 27 days |
| Iceland | 57 days |
| India | 32 days |
| Indonesia | 26 days |
| Iran | 95 days |
| Iraq | 80 days |
| Ireland | 23 days |
| Israel | 39 days |
| Italy | 44 days |
| Jamaica | 26 days |
| Japan | 56 days |
| Jordan | 56 days |
| Kazakhstan | 10 days |
| Kenya | 60 days |
| Kiribati | No processing time available |
| Kosovo | 38 days |
| Kuwait | 61 days |
| Kyrgyzstan | 9 days |
| Laos | 34 days |
| Latvia | 28 days |
| Lebanon | 71 days |
| Lesotho | 110 days |
| Liberia | 87 days |
| Libya | 37 days |
| Liechtenstein | No processing time available |
| Lithuania | 20 days |
| Luxembourg | 36 days |
| Macao | 16 days |
| North Macedonia | 32 days |
| Madagascar | 226 days |
| Malawi | 275 days |
| Malaysia | 30 days |
| Maldives | No processing time available |
| Mali | 85 days |
| Malta | 33 days |
| Marshall Islands | No processing time available |
| Martinique | No processing time available |
| Mauritania | 96 days |
| Mauritius | 128 days |
| Mexico | 24 days |
| Micronesia (Federated States of) | No processing time available |
| Moldova | 38 days |
| Monaco | No processing time available |
| Mongolia | 19 days |
| Montenegro | 24 days |
| Morocco | 21 days |
| Mozambique | 439 days |
| Namibia | 219 days |
| Nauru | No processing time available |
| Nepal | 42 days |
| Netherlands | 30 days |
| New Caledonia | No processing time available |
| New Zealand | 11 days |
| Nicaragua | 21 days |
| Niger | 79 days |
| Nigeria | 93 days |
| Korea (Democratic People's Republic of, North) | No processing time available |
| Norway | 65 days |
| Oman | 61 days |
| Pakistan | 78 days |
| Palestinian Authority | 1 days |
| West Bank | 1 days |
| Panama | 29 days |
| Papua New Guinea | No processing time available |
| Paraguay | 24 days |
| Peru | 25 days |
| Philippines | 21 days |
| Poland | 8 days |
| Portugal | 39 days |
| Puerto Rico | No processing time available |
| Qatar | 61 days |
| Romania | 37 days |
| Russia | 16 days |
| Rwanda | 50 days |
| Saint Lucia | 15 days |
| Samoa | No processing time available |
| San Marino | No processing time available |
| Sao Tome and Principe | No processing time available |
| Saudi Arabia | 53 days |
| Senegal | 54 days |
| Serbia | 35 days |
| Seychelles | No processing time available |
| Sierra Leone | 108 days |
| Singapore | 23 days |
| Slovakia | 29 days |
| Slovenia | No processing time available |
| Solomon Islands | No processing time available |
| Somalia | 123 days |
| South Africa | 180 days |
| Korea (Republic of, South) | 56 days |
| South Sudan | No processing time available |
| Spain | 38 days |
| Sri Lanka | 44 days |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 20 days |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 25 days |
| Sudan | No processing time available |
| Suriname | 27 days |
| Eswatini | 359 days |
| Sweden | 36 days |
| Switzerland | 38 days |
| Syria | 105 days |
| French Polynesia | No processing time available |
| Taiwan | 57 days |
| Tajikistan | 22 days |
| Tanzania | 47 days |
| Thailand | 42 days |
| Timor-Leste | No processing time available |
| Togo | 123 days |
| Tonga | No processing time available |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 15 days |
| Tunisia | 38 days |
| Turkey | 78 days |
| Turkmenistan | No processing time available |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | 24 days |
| Tuvalu | No processing time available |
| Uganda | No processing time available |
| Ukraine | 10 days |
| United Arab Emirates | 56 days |
| United Kingdom | 23 days |
| United States | 17 days |
| Uruguay | 21 days |
| Virgin Islands (U.S.) | No processing time available |
| Uzbekistan | 14 days |
| Vanuatu | No processing time available |
| Venezuela | 35 days |
| Vietnam | 34 days |
| Yemen | 52 days |
| Zambia | 253 days |
| Zimbabwe | 147 days |
| lastupdated | September 22, 2026 |
2. Gather Documents
Read our full guide to CAN+ (Can Plus), who qualifies and what it actually gets you.
- Passport: Valid for the duration of your stay.
- Proof of Financial Support: Bank statements, proof of income, or a letter of financial support.
- Invitation Letter (if applicable): From a relative, friend, or business in Canada.
- Additional Documents: Travel itinerary, proof of ties to your home country, and any other documents specified by the visa office.
3. Submit Application
Online Application:
- Complete and submit your application through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
- Alternatively, submit your application at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Application Form:
- Fill out the required forms accurately and completely.
- Pay the application fee online or at a VAC.
Provide Biometrics
4. Biometrics
- Visit a designated VAC to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
- Biometrics are required for most applicants and are used to verify your identity.
5. Wait for Processing
Processing Times:
- Processing times vary based on your location and application type. Check the IRCC website for current processing times.
- Track your application status online using the unique tracking number provided after submission.
Decision:
- If approved, your visa will be stamped in your passport.
- If additional information is needed or an interview is required, you will be notified by IRCC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a TRV application?
A temporary resident visa application is what a foreign national from a visa required country files to be allowed to travel to Canada as a visitor. The visa is the document in your passport. It does not by itself decide how long you may stay, which is set by the officer at the port of entry.
How long does a TRV application take?
Processing times vary by country of application and move constantly. Check the IRCC processing times tool for your visa office on the day you apply, and file well before any fixed travel date.
Why are visitor visa applications refused?
The most common reason is that the officer is not satisfied you will leave at the end of the authorised stay. That is assessed on ties to your home country, employment, family, immigration history and the coherence of the purpose of travel. Funds alone do not answer it.
Can I appeal a refused TRV?
There is no appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division. You can apply again with evidence that answers the officer\u2019s stated concern, or apply for leave and judicial review at the Federal Court where the decision is unreasonable.
Is a ten year multiple entry visa still standard?
No. Officers now decide the validity period case by case rather than issuing the maximum by default, so a shorter validity is common even for strong applicants.
What is the difference between single-entry and multiple-entry visas?
Single-entry allows one entry; multiple-entry allows multiple entries over several weeks/months/years.
What if my visa application is refused?
If your visa application is refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for refusal. While you cannot appeal the decision directly, you can reapply with additional information or corrections.
Is an appeal possible for a refused visa?
There is no formal appeal process for a visitor visa refusal, but you may seek a judicial review in Federal Court if you believe the decision was unfair or incorrect.
What are GCMS Notes?
GCMS (Global Case Management System) notes, also sometimes called as CAIPS notes are detailed records of your application, including the officer’s comments and reasons for the decision. You can request these notes to better understand the reasons behind a refusal and to prepare a stronger reapplication.
What is the Can+ Program?
The Can+ program expedites the visa process for applicants who have traveled to Canada or the United States in the last ten years. This program simplifies the documentation required and speeds up processing times.
Can I extend my stay?
Yes, you can apply for an extension before your visa expires. If you don't extend your stay before your authorized period expires, you will need to apply for Status Restoration to regain your legal status in Canada.
Can I work in Canada with a visitor visa?
No, a visitor visa does not grant you the right to work in Canada. You would need to apply for a work permit.
Can I study in Canada with a visitor visa?
You can study in a short-term course (less than six months) with a visitor visa. For longer programs, you will need a study permit.
What documents do I need to show proof of financial support?
Acceptable documents include bank statements, pay stubs, employment letters, or proof of sponsorship from a host in Canada.
Can I apply for a visitor visa from within Canada?
Yes, you can apply for a visitor visa from within Canada if you hold a valid study permit or work permit. If you do not have a valid study or work permit, you must apply for a visitor visa from outside Canada.
What if my passport expires before my visa?
Your visa is valid as long as your passport is valid. If your passport expires, you will need to reapply for a visa with your new passport.
Need Assistance with Your Visitor Visa Application?
Exploring the right visa option for your visit to Canada can be challenging. Whether you’re visiting family, exploring business opportunities, or simply touring, SAAB Immigration Services Inc. is here to help you through every step of the process. Book an appointment with us today and ensure a smooth and successful application journey.
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