Visitor Visa (TRV)
Visitor Visa
(Temporary Resident Visa)
A Visitor Visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa, allows foreign nationals from visa required countries to enter Canada temporarily for purposes such as tourism, visiting family or friends, or limited business activities that do not involve entering the Canadian labour market. A TRV does not authorize employment or long-term study and is issued based on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate temporary intent, financial capacity, and overall admissibility under Canadian immigration law. The central legal question in every TRV application is whether the applicant will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.
Who requires a TRV?
A TRV is required for citizens of countries designated as visa required by Canada. Visa exempt nationals must apply for an eTA instead. Having a valid TRV only allows travel to a Canadian port of entry and does not guarantee admission, as final entry decisions are made by a border services officer based on admissibility at the time of arrival.
Legal test applied by visa officers
Visa officers assess TRV applications under section 179 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which requires the applicant to satisfy the officer that they will leave Canada at the end of the authorized period. The burden of proof is entirely on the applicant. Officers assess the totality of the evidence rather than any single document, and even applicants with strong financial profiles can be refused if temporary intent is not clearly established.
Purpose of travel assessment
Applicants must clearly explain the purpose of their visit and demonstrate that the length of stay requested is reasonable and consistent with that purpose. Tourism visits typically require a travel itinerary and accommodation details, family visits require evidence of the relationship and host status in Canada, and business visits must be limited to activities permitted under visitor status. Inconsistencies between the stated purpose and supporting documents are a frequent refusal ground.
Temporary intent and ties outside Canada
Temporary intent is assessed by examining the applicant’s ties to their country of residence. Strong ties may include ongoing employment, business ownership, enrollment in studies, close family members remaining abroad, property ownership, or long term financial commitments. Weak ties, unemployment, recent status changes, or lack of long term plans outside Canada significantly increase refusal risk, particularly for applicants from countries with high overstay rates.
Dual intent considerations
Applicants may have long term plans to immigrate to Canada and still qualify for a TRV under the concept of dual intent, provided they can demonstrate that they will leave Canada if required. Dual intent applications require careful structuring, as poorly explained future immigration plans are often interpreted as lack of temporary intent rather than legitimate dual intent.
Financial capacity requirements
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover travel expenses, accommodation, and daily living costs for the entire stay without relying on unauthorized work or public assistance. There is no fixed minimum amount, but funds must be proportionate to the length of stay, travel origin, and personal circumstances. Bank statements should show stable balances and transaction history, not recent unexplained deposits.
Invitation letters and host documentation
An invitation letter from a Canadian host can support a TRV application but does not guarantee approval. The host’s immigration status, financial situation, and relationship to the applicant are relevant but secondary to the applicant’s own ties and intent. A strong host profile cannot compensate for a weak applicant profile.
Travel history assessment
Prior international travel, particularly to countries with similar visa regimes such as the United States, United Kingdom, or Schengen states, strengthens a TRV application. A lack of travel history is not a refusal ground on its own but increases scrutiny. Previous overstays, visa refusals, or removals must be disclosed and properly addressed.
Duration of stay and visa validity
A TRV may be issued as a single entry or multiple entry visa and may be valid for up to the expiry of the applicant’s passport. The length of authorized stay in Canada is determined by the border officer at entry and is typically up to six months unless otherwise specified. Visa validity does not determine how long the applicant may remain in Canada on each visit.
Common refusal reasons
TRV refusals commonly cite insufficient ties to the home country, purpose of visit not credible, insufficient financial resources, limited travel history, family ties in Canada outweighing ties abroad, or concerns that the applicant will not leave Canada at the end of the stay. Refusal letters are often generic and require professional analysis to identify the real weaknesses.
Reapplying after a refusal
There is no mandatory waiting period to reapply after a TRV refusal, but reapplying without addressing the refusal reasons almost always leads to another refusal. A successful reapplication requires a material change in circumstances or a stronger evidentiary presentation that directly addresses the officer’s concerns.
Visitor record extensions inside Canada
Visitors already in Canada may apply to extend their stay by applying for a visitor record before their authorized stay expires. Approval is discretionary and requires continued demonstration of temporary intent and sufficient financial support. A visitor record does not allow reentry to Canada and does not convert visitor status into work or study authorization.
TRV government fees
The government fee for a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) application is $100 CAD per applicant. Biometrics are required for most applicants and cost $85 CAD per person or $170 CAD maximum for a family applying at the same time. These fees are payable directly to IRCC at the time of application and are non refundable once processing has started, regardless of the outcome of the application. Additional costs may arise if a medical examination or police certificate is requested, depending on the applicant’s country of residence and travel history.
TRV processing times
Visitor Visa processing times vary significantly depending on the applicant’s country of residence, volume of applications, and whether additional review is required. In practice, processing can range from a few weeks to several months, and timelines are not guaranteed even for well prepared applications. Applications that raise concerns regarding temporary intent, travel history, or financial capacity are more likely to be delayed due to enhanced officer review or requests for additional information.
How to get your visa processed faster?
A proper preparation with a lawyer can reduce delays and refusal risk. Submitting a complete and well structured application with clear purpose of travel, strong proof of ties outside Canada, consistent financial documentation, and a concise explanation addressing any risk factors reduces the likelihood of additional review. Avoiding missing documents, unexplained bank deposits, vague travel plans, or contradictory information is critical, as these issues often trigger processing delays or refusals. Priority or expedited processing is not available for TRV applications outside limited humanitarian situations.
Our scope of services and legal fees
Our services include a detailed assessment of refusal risk, analysis of temporary intent, strategy for strengthening ties outside Canada, review and structuring of financial documents, drafting of purpose of travel statements, preparation and review of invitation letters and host documentation, legal submissions addressing officer concerns, reapplication strategy after refusals, and full management of the Visitor Visa application until a final decision is issued. Legal fees for a Visitor Visa application typically range from $700 to $1,000 CAD plus HST, depending on complexity, prior refusals, country of residence, and overall risk profile.
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