Canadian Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa - TRV)
Whether you’re travelling to Canada for tourism, to visit family, or for a short business trip, you may need a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV). Ayodele Law helps individuals and families prepare strong, well-documented applications designed to reduce the risk of refusal and delays.
What Is a Canadian Visitor Visa?
A Canadian visitor visa is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows a foreign national to travel to Canada temporarily for reasons such as:
tourism and leisure travel
visiting family or friends
short business travel (meetings, conferences, site visits)
other temporary personal reasons
A visitor visa is not a work permit or study permit, and it does not guarantee entry on arrival.
Do You Need a Visitor Visa or an eTA?
Some travellers need a TRV, while others need an eTA (usually if they are from a visa-exempt country and travelling by air). An eTA is an online authorization tied to your passport and is required for many visa-exempt travellers arriving by air.
Because the requirement depends on nationality and travel method, we typically confirm this early and ensure you apply through the correct pathway to avoid delays.
Important: A Visa or eTA Does Not Guarantee Entry
Even with an approved visitor visa (or eTA), entry is not automatic. When you arrive, a CBSA officer decides whether you can enter and how long you may stay based on admissibility, your purpose of travel, and whether you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.
This is why your application should be built around clear travel purpose and strong supporting evidence — not just “forms filled correctly.”
Eligibility: What Officers Look For
To approve a visitor visa, IRCC generally expects applicants to show they:
have a valid passport/travel document
have a clear, credible purpose for travel
have enough funds for the trip and return
have strong ties to their home country (work, school, family, assets)
will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay
do not have immigration issues or criminality that make them inadmissible
Where the facts are complex (prior refusals, overstays, criminal charges/convictions, inconsistent travel history), strategy and documentation matter.
Required Documents (Typical) + Invitation Letter Guidance
Visitor visa applications are document-driven. The exact list varies by country and personal circumstances, but most applications include:
passport and travel history
proof of employment/school and home-country ties
proof of funds (bank statements, pay slips, sponsor support if applicable)
travel purpose evidence (itinerary, hotel, event registration, family visit explanation)
invitation letter (if visiting someone in Canada) and the inviter’s supporting documents
A strong invitation letter should explain who is visiting, why, for how long, where they will stay, and who will pay for what — and it must match the rest of the evidence.
Types of Visitor Visas
IRCC may issue:
Single-entry (one entry)
Multiple-entry (valid for up to 10 years or until passport expiry, with typical stays up to six months per entry)
Super Visa (parents/grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents; different requirements)
Business Visitors (Common Confusion)
Some visitors can enter as business visitors (meetings, conferences, site visits) without entering the Canadian labour market. But business visitor rules can be misunderstood — and the line between “business visitor” and “work” matters. If your trip involves training, contracts, or activities that look like work performed in Canada, we’ll assess whether a work permit is required before you travel.
Visitor Visa Processing Time (What to Expect)
Processing times vary widely by country and season. IRCC posts estimates using historical data and updated tools, but no lawyer can promise an approval timeline. If timing is critical (weddings, funerals, urgent family visits, business travel), the best approach is to submit a complete application the first time — with a package that directly addresses the officer’s concerns.
What Are The Visitor Visa Fees and Biometrics? (Quick Reference)
Most visitor visa applicants pay:
Biometrics: CAD $85 per person (family cap applies in some cases)
Common Reasons Visitor Visas Are Refused (And What To Do Next)
Refusals are often based on:
weak home-country ties
unclear purpose of travel
insufficient funds or unsupported financial story
inconsistent documents or credibility concerns
past refusals, overstays, removals, or misrepresentation issues
After a refusal, reapplying without addressing the exact refusal reasons often leads to another refusal. A proper next step may include a stronger re-application, a reconsideration request, or (in specific cases) court options.
Extending Your Stay in Canada (Visitor Record)
If you are already in Canada and want to stay longer, you may need to apply for a visitor record before your status expires. A visitor record is not a visa — it’s proof you are allowed to remain in Canada longer as a visitor.
Comparison table: TRV vs ETA vs Super Visa vs Business Visa vs TRP
| Option | Who It’s For | What It Allows | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OptionVisitor Visa (TRV) | Who It’s ForCitizens of visa-required countries visiting Canada temporarily. | What It AllowsTourism, family visits, and short business travel. | Key NotesApproval allows travel to Canada, but entry is decided by a border officer. |
| OptioneTA | Who It’s ForVisa-exempt travellers arriving by air. | What It AllowsAuthorization to board a flight to Canada. | Key NotesNot required for entry by land or sea. |
| OptionSuper Visa | Who It’s ForParents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. | What It AllowsLonger authorized stays than a standard visitor visa. | Key NotesRequires proof of income support and private medical insurance. |
| OptionBusiness Visitor | Who It’s ForIndividuals attending meetings or business activities without entering the Canadian labour market. | What It AllowsMeetings, conferences, site visits, and contract discussions. | Key NotesPerforming hands-on work may require a work permit. |
| OptionTemporary Resident Permit (TRP) | Who It’s ForIndividuals who are inadmissible but have compelling reasons to enter Canada. | What It AllowsDiscretionary permission to enter or remain in Canada. | Key NotesIssued sparingly; strong legal submissions are essential. |
How Ayodele Law Helps With Visitor Visa Applications
We provide end-to-end support, including:
confirming whether you need a TRV, eTA, or another pathway
building an evidence plan tailored to your ties, travel purpose, and risk factors
reviewing documents for consistency and credibility
drafting a clear submission letter for higher-risk files (refusals, complicated histories)
advising on lawful travel and future applications
Visitor Visa Document Checklist
Document requirements vary by country and personal circumstances, but most Canadian visitor visa applications include the following:
- ✓Valid passport and travel history (previous visas or entry stamps, if available)
- ✓Clear purpose of travel (itinerary, accommodation details, or event information)
- ✓Proof of financial support for the visit (bank statements, pay slips, or sponsor support)
- ✓Evidence of employment, business ownership, or school enrollment
- ✓Proof of ties to your home country (family, property, assets, or ongoing obligations)
- ✓Invitation letter and status documents from your Canadian host (if applicable)
- ✓Explanation letter addressing travel purpose or prior refusals (recommended)
- ✓Copies of previous refusal letters or immigration history documents (if applicable)
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying for a Canadian visitor visa can raise important questions about eligibility, documentation, length of stay, and the risk of refusal. The answers below address many of the most common concerns we hear from individuals and families planning to visit Canada for tourism, family visits, or business purposes.
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Whether you need a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) depends on your citizenship and how you are travelling. Citizens of visa-required countries must apply for a visitor visa before travelling to Canada. Citizens of visa-exempt countries usually need an eTA if arriving by air. Even with a valid visa or eTA, final entry decisions are made by officers from Canada Border Services Agency at the port of entry.
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Most visitors are allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months per entry, unless a border officer authorizes a shorter or longer stay. If you wish to remain longer, you must apply for a visitor record extension before your status expires. Overstaying can negatively affect future visa applications.
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Visitor visa applications are discretionary and are often refused due to weak ties to the home country, insufficient financial proof, unclear travel purpose, incomplete documentation, or prior immigration violations. A refusal does not mean you can never visit Canada — but it does mean your next application must directly address the officer’s concerns.
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No. A visitor visa does not allow you to work in Canada. You may study only short-term programs lasting six months or less without a study permit. Engaging in unauthorized work or study can result in refusals, removal orders, or future inadmissibility.
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A single-entry visa allows you to enter Canada once, while a multiple-entry visa allows repeated entries for up to 10 years or until your passport expires. The type issued is determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada based on your application, travel history, and purpose of travel.
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Yes. You may reapply after a refusal, but submitting the same application without addressing the refusal reasons often leads to another refusal. In some cases, options such as a re-application with stronger evidence, a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), or a reconsideration request may be appropriate. Legal guidance is strongly recommended after a refusal.
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You do not need a visitor visa lawyer physically located near you to apply. Visitor visa applications are submitted online through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and legal representation can be provided remotely.
Many people searching for a “visitor visa lawyer near me” are looking for trusted legal guidance that is accessible, responsive, and experienced with Canadian visa refusals and approvals. Ayodele Law is based in Toronto and represents visitor visa applicants across Canada and internationally through virtual consultations
From Our ClientsFrom start to finish, Tracy's professionalism and personalized approach made a significant difference in my case and my life. She was not only knowledgeable but also genuinely supportive, ensuring that every step of the process was handled with care and attention to detail.
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