A clear, six-step walkthrough — plus a fee calculator and a personalized document checklist — built from the official requirements published on Canada.ca.
Answer honestly — this mirrors what a visa officer will assess. It won't be saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate the government processing and biometrics fees for your travelling group. Figures are the standard published rates in CAD and can change — confirm the current amount on Canada.ca before paying.
Work through each tab in order. Click "Mark step complete" to fill your progress stamp above.
Pick the reason for your visit — the checklist below updates to match what you're likely to need.
Book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre as soon as you receive it, to avoid delays. Biometrics are valid for 10 years.
An officer checks that your documents and fees are complete, then runs standard background and admissibility checks.
Processing time varies by country and season and does not include the time needed to give biometrics. Check the live processing-time tool on Canada.ca for your country.
If approved, your visa is placed in your passport (or issued electronically in some cases). If refused, you'll receive the reasons and can reapply with stronger documents.
Carry your visa, passport, and supporting documents. A border services officer decides your length of stay at the port of entry — usually up to 6 months — and may issue a visitor record.