Visitor Visa to Canada

Essentially, they are the same type of visa. Both provide identical opportunities. The difference is that a guest visa implies the purpose of the trip is visiting someone living in Canada. To apply for it, you need an invitation from the “host”. If you’re applying for a guest visa, you must have an invitation from a Canadian citizen or resident.

Usually, guest, tourist, or business visas under the Visitor Visa category are issued for up to 10 years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. However, in most cases, you can stay in Canada no more than 6 months per visit from the date of entry.

The list is quite extensive. First of all, standard documents: passport, a color digital photo sized 3.5 x 4.5 cm, national ID. It’s also important to prove your ties to your home country and the absence of immigration intent. These can be demonstrated with:

• Employment – a letter from your employer indicating employment start date and salary for the past 6 months. For entrepreneurs – business registration certificate and the latest tax return.
• Property ownership – real estate (apartment, house) and movable assets (car, etc.).
• Financial status – bank statements showing transactions over the past 3–6 months.
• Family status – marriage/divorce certificates, children’s birth certificates.

If applying for a guest visa, you must have an invitation from a Canadian resident (your friend or relative who legally resides in Canada). If your purpose is a business trip, you also need an invitation from the company.

Be prepared: the visa officer may request additional documents, such as airline tickets, hotel reservations, or a detailed itinerary.

Yes, you must register on the official IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) website and fill out the forms online. But for biometrics, you’ll need to visit the visa application center in person.

Biometrics are provided once every 10 years. If you have already applied for a Canadian visa and provided biometrics less than 10 years ago, you don’t need to do it again. You must visit a Canadian visa application center in your country to provide biometrics. In Ukraine, they are located in Kyiv and Lviv. You must book an appointment in advance.

On this page you can find the nearest visa center outside Ukraine.

It depends on age. If a child is 13 years old or younger, biometrics are not required. This also applies to people aged 80 and older.

Yes. Knowledge of a foreign language is not required for obtaining a Visitor Visa. However, the application and other forms must be filled out in English or French. To avoid mistakes, it’s best to delegate this to professionals.

Not necessarily. The key is to prove you have enough financial means for the trip. For example, rental income or other passive sources. Or a sponsor who will cover your expenses.

The invitation should clearly describe your situation: your relationship with the inviting party, the purpose and duration of the visit, your plans, and who is sponsoring the trip.
Attach a copy of the Canadian citizen or resident’s passport. If the inviting party is sponsoring your trip, provide proof of their financial ability — a bank statement or tax form T1/T4. If you are related, attach documents confirming the relationship.

In most cases, no interview is required. The visa officer makes a decision based on the submitted forms and documents. However, in rare cases, you may be invited for an interview.

Yes, absolutely. We’ve had many cases where clients received visas after previous refusals. The key is to analyze the reason for the refusal and the submitted documents. Only then can you identify and correct the mistakes that led to it.

Book a consultation with an immigration expert. We will objectively assess your chances of obtaining a visa and provide well-founded recommendations. This will save you time and help you act efficiently from the start.

Processing time varies depending on the country of application and the season, but usually takes from a few weeks to several months. It’s recommended to apply as early as possible before your intended travel date.

No, a tourist visa does not allow you to work or study in Canada. To do so, you must obtain the appropriate permits or visas.

When applying for a guest visa, you must prove your financial capability. This can include recent (4-month) bank statements, employment verification with salary details, property ownership documents, or other evidence showing you can cover your expenses during your stay in Canada.

In most short-term visits, a medical exam is not required. However, if you plan to stay over 6 months or work in healthcare, a medical exam may be necessary.

Visa refusals may result from several factors including: insufficient funds, unclear purpose of travel, weak ties to home country, or past immigration violations.

Yes, you can apply to extend your temporary resident status while in Canada. Be sure to apply before your current status expires — ideally 30 days prior. Extensions are not guaranteed and depend on your circumstances and documentation.