Canada has a way of getting under your skin. Maybe it's the idea of standing at the edge of Niagara Falls, the spray hitting your face. Maybe it's Banff in autumn, when the mountains look like they've been painted. Or maybe — and this is the reason for most of our clients — it's a child who moved to Toronto five years ago, and you haven't held your grandchild yet.
Whatever draws you to Canada, the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is your entry ticket. It's what most people call the "Canada tourist visa" — a visa that allows Indian citizens to visit Canada for tourism, family visits, business meetings, or special events for up to 6 months per visit.
And here's the best part: Canada typically issues multiple-entry TRVs valid for up to 10 years. That means you can visit multiple times over the next decade without reapplying — just book a flight and go. Each visit can be up to 6 months.
But getting that first approval isn't always straightforward. Canada's visitor visa refusal rate for Indian applicants has been notably high in recent years. The most common reason? Failure to demonstrate that you'll actually leave Canada when your visit is over. At E3 Immigration, we prepare applications that leave no room for doubt — clear purpose, strong ties, solid finances, and honest documentation.
TRV
CAD $100
2-4 Weeks
Up to 10 Years
Up to 6 Months
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a document placed in your passport that allows you to travel to a Canadian port of entry. At the border, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer decides whether to admit you and for how long — typically up to 6 months.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — Visitor Category |
| Issued By | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
| Validity | Up to 10 years or until passport expiry (whichever is earlier) |
| Stay Per Visit | Up to 6 months (determined by CBSA at the border) |
| Entry Type | Usually multiple entry (single entry is rare for Indian applicants) |
| Work Allowed? | No — you cannot work in Canada on a visitor visa |
| Study Allowed? | Short courses up to 6 months (no study permit needed) |
| Format | Physical counterfoil sticker in your passport |
Explore Niagara Falls, Banff, Vancouver Island, Quebec City, the Canadian Rockies, Northern Lights in Yukon — Canada has everything from urban excitement to wilderness adventures.
Visit your children, grandchildren, relatives, or friends living in Canada. This is the most common purpose for Indian applicants — and the one where documentation matters most.
Weddings, graduations, family reunions, religious ceremonies — any personal event that requires your presence in Canada.
Attend conferences, trade shows, business meetings, or negotiations. You cannot work or earn income, but you can conduct legitimate business activities.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid Passport | Must be valid for the duration of your intended stay (recommended: at least 6 months beyond travel dates) |
| Purpose of Visit | Clear and genuine reason for visiting — tourism, family, business, or events |
| Financial Capacity | Sufficient funds to cover your stay, travel, and return — bank statements, ITR, FDs |
| Ties to Home Country | Evidence that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit — employment, property, family obligations |
| No Criminal Record | Good character — no serious criminal convictions. PCC may be requested |
| Good Health | May need medical examination (especially for stays over 6 months or applicants over 70) |
| Travel History | Previous international travel strengthens your application (not mandatory but helps significantly) |
| Invitation Letter | Required if visiting family/friends — letter from host with their immigration status, address, and relationship |
Register at the IRCC portal using your GCKey or Sign-In Partner credentials. This is where you'll complete the application, upload documents, pay fees, and track your status. If you're not comfortable with online applications, we handle this entire step on your behalf.
Fill out the required forms accurately:
Scan all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format. Each file has a size limit. Ensure all documents are clear, complete, and properly organised. The quality of your documentation directly impacts the officer's assessment — blurry scans, missing pages, or inconsistent information will slow down processing or trigger refusal.
Pay CAD $100 per applicant + CAD $85 biometrics fee online via credit/debit card. Family maximum: CAD $500 for visa fees (5+ applicants) + CAD $170 biometrics for a family of 2+ (max). Fees are non-refundable.
After submitting your application, you'll receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). Visit a designated VFS Global centre in India (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ahmedabad) within 30 days of receiving the BIL. Biometrics include fingerprints and a digital photo. Once collected, biometrics are valid for 10 years — you won't need to provide them again for future applications.
Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks from the date biometrics are received. During peak season (summer and December), it can take 4-6 weeks. IRCC may request additional documents or a medical exam — respond promptly. You can track your application status online through your IRCC account.
If approved, you'll receive a Passport Submission Request. Submit your passport to the VFS Global centre (in person or by courier). The visa counterfoil (sticker) is placed in your passport. This typically takes 3-5 business days. Once you receive your stamped passport, you're ready to travel.
At the Canadian port of entry, a CBSA officer will verify your documents, ask about your visit purpose, and stamp your passport with the permitted length of stay (usually 6 months). Carry printouts of your invitation letter, hotel bookings, return flight ticket, and proof of funds — the border officer may ask to see them.
| Component | Cost (CAD) | Approx. (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visa Fee (per person) | $100 | ~₹6,200 |
| Biometrics Fee (per person) | $85 | ~₹5,300 |
| Family Maximum — Visa Fee (5+ applicants) | $500 | ~₹31,000 |
| Family Maximum — Biometrics (2+ persons) | $170 | ~₹10,500 |
| VFS Service Charge | — | ₹1,800-₹3,200 |
| Medical Exam (if requested) | — | ₹5,000-₹8,000 |
* Exchange rate varies. Total cost for a single applicant: approximately ₹13,000-₹15,000 including VFS charges.
| Application Type | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Standard Application (strong profile) | 2-3 weeks |
| First-time applicant / Limited travel history | 3-4 weeks |
| Peak Season (June-August, December) | 4-6 weeks |
| Additional documents requested | +2-4 weeks from submission |
This is the most common scenario we handle — parents visiting children, relatives visiting family for weddings, or grandparents meeting grandchildren for the first time. These applications have unique dynamics:
Your host in Canada needs to provide a strong invitation letter. A weak or vague letter is one of the most common reasons for refusal. Here's what it must include:
Canada's visitor visa refusal rate for Indian applicants has been significant — IRCC data shows refusal rates of 30-40% in recent years. Understanding why applications get refused is the first step to getting yours approved:
Already in Canada and want to stay longer? You can apply to extend your visitor status — but there are important rules:
If you have a blank passport, consider travelling to easier visa destinations first (Thailand, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia). A passport with travel stamps shows you're a genuine traveller who returns home.
6 months of steady bank statements > a large lump sum deposited last week. IRCC looks for financial stability, not just a high balance on the application date.
Explain your trip clearly — why Canada, why now, who you're visiting, how long, and why you'll return. Be specific, be honest, and keep it to 1-2 pages.
If you've had visa refusals before, disclose them. IRCC can see your history. Hiding it is worse than addressing it honestly with an explanation.
The Canada tourist visa looks simple on paper — it's a short form, a few documents, and a fee. But the high refusal rate tells a different story. IRCC officers evaluate applications holistically, and a single weak element can tip the decision from approval to refusal.
We approach every tourist visa application the way a lawyer approaches a case. We assess your profile for potential red flags — gaps in employment, weak financial evidence, limited travel history, immigration concerns — and address them proactively in the documentation and cover letter. We draft invitation letters that are comprehensive and clear. We organise financial documents to tell a coherent story of stability.
And if you've been refused before, we don't just resubmit the same application with crossed fingers. We request the GCMS notes (officer's assessment notes from the previous refusal), identify exactly what went wrong, and rebuild the application from the ground up to address every concern.
Your family reunion, your holiday, your business trip — it shouldn't come down to a carelessly prepared application. Let us get it right.
Common Canada Tourist Visa mistakes, weak points and planning gaps to fix before your application moves forward.
A clear, applicant-friendly guide to Canada Tourist Visa eligibility, documents, timing and next steps for Indian applicants.