Welcome to the next topic of the series, The Immigration Desk. Here, I will highlight what a Visitors visa is, for one, what does Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) look for, what your restrictions are and what to do if your visa has expired.
What is a Visitors Visitors visa?
A visitors visa comes under the category of Temporary Residence. This means if a traveller possesses one, the designated time that they are allowed to be in the country and their reasons for being there are temporary. This type of temporary resident visa is generally required for persons who wish to travel on business, for pleasure, tourism or short study courses and is granted on a discretionary basis; only permanent residents and citizens of a country have a right to be in that country.
Since November 2024, IRCC no longer gives a full-length multiple-entry visitors visa by default. The visa oVicer decides whether it will be single or multiple entry and how long it lasts. It can last up to 10 years and never past the passport’s expiry date.
What is also important to note is that unlike a US visitors visa where you must travel to your nearest US Embassy and take part in an interview, Canadian visitors visa applications are submitted and assessed solely online. As such, unless IRCC directs otherwise, the application and the culmination of the documents you submit is your interview. Additionally, most applicants will have to give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in the country where they are applying from.
Who is eligible?
No two visitors visa applications are the same. Everyone has diVerent situations, experiences, financial, travel, academic and professional circumstances. In other words, what may have worked for Lisa may not work for Rachel. All visitors visa applications are decided on their own merit.
Generally, to be eligible for a Canadian visitors visa, you should:
1. Have steady employment and employment history;
2. No criminal record that would make you inadmissible;
3. Be able to support yourself and/or your family on your trip to Canada and not
become reliant on public assistance;
4. Be a “trusted traveller” – someone who can demonstrate they have never violated
the immigration rules and regulations of another country; 5. Show you have suVicient “ties to your home country”;
6. Demonstrate that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay; 7. Have never misrepresented yourself on a previous application;
Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
It is also worth noting that being in possession of a visitors visa does not guarantee you entry into Canada. The border oVicer makes the final decision at the airport or other point of border entry and usually allows a stay of up to 6 months unless it is stated otherwise.
If you are already inside Canada and your visitors visa is due to expire, you may apply for an extension. This extension must be supported by sound reasons for wanting the extension and you must apply before your status runs out. During the time of the extension’s processing, you may remain in Canada; you will have “implied status” until a decision is reached.
What are your restrictions?
Most importantly, when you are a visitor, you are not allowed to work even if that work is voluntary or unpaid. Additionally, you are not eligible to be a beneficiary of any type of public funds including but not limited to Canada’s free healthcare, child benefits, or any other provincial or federal grants or assistance.
What to do if your visitors visa is expired?
If your visitors visa has expired, you may be eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This eligibility is determined by your country of citizenship, if you have a valid US non-immigrant visitors visa or if you have had a Canadian visitors visa which has expired within the last 10 years. Please note that entry into Canada on an eTA must be by air only. If you intend to travel to Canada by train, boat or car, you must reapply for a
visitors visa. eTA applicants normally receive a decision within minutes or within 72 hours if it needs to be reviewed.
What’s next?
The next topic in The Immigration Desk series will cover Temporary Resident Visitors visas. This topic has several sub-categories and so, I will cover them individually. That being said, the sub-category of interest in the next submission will be Super visas.
Until next time…
