Are you planning to visit Canada sometime soon? Wait a minute! Did you know there is something called a ‘Canada Visitor record’? If that sounds alien to you then you must read this blog to know the difference between a Canadian visitor visa and a visitor record.
Whether you’re going to Canada to visit, study, or work; knowing the purpose of both is necessary, provided you are not from a visa-exempt country. Read more!
Canada Visitor Visa
Canada visitor visa is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) that you must obtain to study, work temporarily, or visit Canada. However, there are visa-exempt countries, from which people need not obtain a visitor visa. You may check it from the IRCC website.
Once you arrive in Canada, you must have a visitor visa to cross the Port of Entry (POE). Technically, the visa stuck in your passport will be endorsed as ‘Visitor’. In case you’re moving to Canada for studying higher education, it will be endorsed as ‘Student’.
Types of Visitor visa
- Single Entry
A single entry visitor visa allows you to enter Canada and stay for up to 6 months. The duration and the date of your departure will be notified by the visa-issuing officer when reaching Canada.
- Multiple Entry
A multiple entry visitor visa allows you to enter and re-enter Canada multiple times for 6 months at a time with a validity of 10 years or till your visa expires. The validity of your visitor visa is generally authorized by the visa officers.
Eligibility to obtain a visitor visa
Canada Temporary resident visa (TRV) comes in different forms such as Canada student visa, tourist visa, business visa, and visitor visa. Getting a visitor visa is one of the best ways to visit the country for a short duration, such as visiting your family, friends, spouse, etc. Having said that, let’s look at the eligibility requirement for getting a Canada visitor visa:
- Must have a valid travel document, generally a passport
- Must be vaccinated by the accepted vaccines in Canada and stay in good health
- Have no criminal record or involved in any immigration frauds
- Must demonstrate funds enough for your stay in Canada
- Convince the visa officers that you will leave Canada after your temporary stay
- Must prove ties back in your own country and will be returning there at the end of the visit
Visitor record
A visitor visa is technically the extension of the visitor visa. If your visitor visa is about to expire (usually 6 months) but you wish to extend your stay, you must apply for a visitor record.
After applying, the visitor record is issued by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA)
When should you apply for a visitor record?
If your visitor visa is about to expire, make sure that you apply for a visitor record 30 days in advance.
When you arrive in Canada and if you know you’re going to stay there exceeding 6 months, you can apply for a visitor record well in advance.
Common questions about visitor visa
- Is an eTA the same as a visitor visa in Canada?
No, they are different. A visitor visa is mandatory if you’re not from a visa-exempt list of countries. On the contrary, if you’re from a visa-exempt country you will need only an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter and visit Canada.
- Do I need a visitor visa if I have a study or work permit in Canada?
If you have a permit document to study or work in Canada, on arrival you will be issued a visitor visa allowing you to enter the country. Following this, you will be issued a study permit or work permit.
Bottom line
I hope that this blog was an eye-opener for knowing the difference and uniqueness between a Canada visitor visa and a visitor record. Have this information in mind while you apply for a visit to Canada.
Planning to visit Canada? Obtain a Canada visitor visa through CanApprove. Being veterans in Canada immigration services, your visa process becomes hassle-free and a sure shot to your immigration success.
