If you are planning to visit Canada and are not a national of an EU country, then you will need a Canadian tourist visa. The Canadian tourist visa, also known as a visitor visa is a temporary visa that allows an individual to visit the country and lasts for a maximum of six months.
A Canadian tourist visa is not a route to permanent residency, nor a way of applying for Canadian citizenship. Tourist visas are designed for temporarily visiting the country and are given on the understanding that the individual may not work during their stay, and that they leave the country before their tourist visa expires.
There are three types of Canadian visitor visas, single entry visas, multiple entry visas and transit visas.
The single entry visa permits the holder to visit the country once for no longer than a six month period. An individual may apply for a visa extension as long as it is no later than 30 days before the original visa expires.
A multiple entry visa permits the holder to visit Canada numerous time during the time in which the visa is valid, and the holder must state how long they wish to stay; the amount of time issued will be decided by the case officer.
The third type of visa is the transit Canada visa, and is designed for individuals passing through the country to another destination. Transit Canada visas are only issued to people who will be spending less than 48 hours in the country.
To gain a Canadian visitor visa, certain requirements must be met. The Applicant must show that they have enough funds to support them and their family during their stay, do not plan on seeking employment, do not have a criminal record and pose no security risk to the country.