Canada
Canada visa guide: visiting, studying, working and immigrating
- 16 visa types
- checked 25 October 2026
How visas for Canada work
Canada’s immigration system is run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) deciding entry at the border and the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) deciding refugee claims. Temporary stays are covered by visitor visas (temporary resident visas, TRV), study permits and work permits; permanent residence comes through economic programs such as Express Entry, provincial nomination and family sponsorship.
Citizens of visa-required countries need a visitor visa to visit or transit; travellers from visa-exempt countries who fly to or through Canada need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead. Most applications are submitted online in the IRCC portal; applicants aged 14 to 79 usually give fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) once every 10 years at a visa application centre, which IRCC's centre finder lists by country.
IRCC fees are published in Canadian dollars: a visitor visa costs CAD 100 (CAD 500 maximum for a family of 5 or more), biometrics CAD 85, a study permit CAD 150, a work permit CAD 155 and an open work permit an extra CAD 100. Permanent residence applications usually add the CAD 600 right of permanent residence fee. IRCC’s fee list contains no paid priority service; faster processing exists only through programs such as the Global Skills Strategy.
Several routes changed in 2025 and 2026: the Parents and Grandparents Program and the Self-Employed Persons Program are paused, the Start-up Visa Program accepted its last applications on 30 June 2026, study permit funds rose for applications from 1 September 2026, Express Entry points change on 3 November 2026, and asylum claims made more than 1 year after first entering Canada have been ineligible since June 2025.
Which visa do I need?
Tourism, family visits or business meetings for up to 6 months: visitor visa. Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents wanting long stays: super visa (5 years per stay). Changing planes in Canada within 48 hours: transit visa (free).
Studying at a designated learning institution for more than 6 months: study permit, usually with a provincial attestation letter. After graduating from an eligible program, the post-graduation work permit allows open work.
Working for a specific employer: employer-specific work permit, usually with a positive LMIA; highly skilled tech hires can use the Global Talent Stream with 2-week processing. Spouses of some students and workers and other listed groups can get open work permits.
Permanent residence: Express Entry for skilled workers (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades), provincial nominee programs, and sponsorship of a spouse, partner or child.
Visa types for Canada
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Visitor visa (temporary resident visa, TRV)
Citizens of visa-required countries visiting Canada for tourism or to see friends and family need a visitor visa, applied for online for CAD 100 plus CAD 85 for biometrics.
Maximum stay: Usually up to 6 months per entry, as decided by the border officer - Family and friends visit visa Super visa for parents and grandparents
The super visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents or registered Indians visit for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years.
Maximum stay: Up to 5 years per entry (applications from 22 June 2023); 2-year extensions possible in Canada - Transit visa
Visa-required travellers need a transit visa when an international flight stops in Canada or they connect between two international flights and the transit lasts 48 hours or less.
Maximum stay: Up to 48 hours in transit
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Business visitor (visitor visa for business)
Business visitors come to Canada for days or weeks to attend meetings, conferences and trade fairs or to buy goods and services for a foreign company, without entering the Canadian labour market.
Maximum stay: Usually up to 6 months per entry, as decided by the border officer - Entrepreneur and start-up visa Start-up Visa Program
The Start-up Visa Program gave permanent residence to entrepreneurs with innovative businesses supported by a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator.
Validity: Optional open work permit of up to 3 years, closed to new applicants since 19 December 2025; holders in Canada may extend - Self-employed and freelancer visa Self-Employed Persons Program
The Self-Employed Persons Program is a permanent residence route for people with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics who will make a significant contribution to Canada’s cultural or athletic life.
Processing time: More than 10 years for applications made after July 2022, according to IRCC’s tool cited in its 2026 evaluation
Study and training
- Student visa Study permit
International students need a study permit for most programs longer than 6 months at a designated learning institution (DLI).
Maximum stay: Length of the program plus 90 days
Work
- Skilled worker visa Employer-specific work permit (LMIA-based or LMIA-exempt)
Most foreign workers need an employer-specific work permit tied to one employer, job and location.
Maximum stay: As stated on the permit, linked to the job offer and LMIA - Work visa Open work permits (post-graduation, spousal and other)
An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer in Canada without a job offer or LMIA.
Maximum stay: Depends on the basis; PGWP up to 3 years - Working holiday visa International Experience Canada (IEC) – Working Holiday
International Experience Canada (IEC) gives young people from countries and territories with youth mobility arrangements, usually aged 18 to 35 (18 to 30 in some countries), work permits through Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op categories.
Validity: Port of entry letter valid 1 year; the permit cannot outlast the passport, biometrics or health insurance
Family
- Spouse and partner visa Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner sponsorship
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians aged 18 or over can sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner for permanent residence.
Processing time: Check IRCC processing times - Family reunification visa Parents and Grandparents Program and other relative sponsorship
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which let citizens and permanent residents sponsor parents and grandparents for permanent residence, is paused: IRCC is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms or issuing invitations, but continues processing existing applications.
Processing time: Existing applications continue to be processed
Residence
- Permanent residence Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades)
Express Entry is IRCC’s online system for three economic permanent residence programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Processing time: Varies by program; check IRCC processing times
Online travel permits
- Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) Electronic travel authorization (eTA)
The eTA is an online authorization costing CAD 7 that citizens of visa-exempt countries need to fly to or through Canada.
Maximum stay: Usually up to 6 months per visit, as decided by the border officer
Fast-track and priority services
- Fast-track and priority visa services Global Talent Stream and Global Skills Strategy (2-week processing)
Canada has no paid priority service, but two official programs speed up skilled hiring.
Processing time: GTS LMIA: 10 business days (80% of the time); GSS work permits: 2-week target
Asylum and international protection
- Asylum and international protection Refugee protection (asylum) in Canada
People who fear returning to their country can claim refugee protection at a port of entry or from inside Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs a visa for Canada?
Citizens of visa-required countries need a visitor visa (or a transit visa for airside connections). Visa-exempt travellers flying to Canada need an eTA, as can some visa-required nationals who held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or hold a valid US non-immigrant visa.
Where do I give biometrics for Canada?
At a visa application centre listed in IRCC's centre finder for your country. You book after receiving the biometric instruction letter and have 30 days to attend.
How much does a Canadian visitor visa cost?
CAD 100 per person (maximum CAD 500 for a family of 5 or more applying together) plus CAD 85 for biometrics (CAD 170 maximum per family).
Can I pay for faster processing in Canada?
IRCC’s fee list has no paid priority service. Faster processing is available only through programs such as the Global Skills Strategy (2-week target for eligible work permits) and the Global Talent Stream for employers.
Can I bring my parents to Canada permanently?
Not at present through the Parents and Grandparents Program, which IRCC has paused for new applications. Parents and grandparents can apply for a super visa allowing 5-year stays.
Is there a Canada working holiday visa?
Yes, through International Experience Canada, for citizens of the countries and territories with a youth mobility arrangement, usually aged 18 to 35. IRCC suggests people from non-listed countries contact a recognized organization about other options.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.