Why apply for a Canada Visit Visa?

Canada attracts worldwide tourists due to its varied geography, secure urban centres, and rich cultural encounters. The Canada Tourist Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV) enables international travelers to legally enter the country for a range of purposes from visiting relatives and exploring the Rockies to attending events and experiencing local festivals.

With its scenic landscapes, multicultural cities, and warm hospitality, Canada remains a top choice for tourists seeking both adventure and relaxation. Whether you're planning a short family trip or a cross-country tour, the Canada visit visa offers the flexibility and ease needed for a memorable travel experience.

• Over 1 lakh international arrivals were recorded in Canada in 2024.
• Around 834,010 visa applications were approved in 2025.
• The visa permits multiple entries for up to 10 years with each stay limited to 6 months.
• Get your visitor visa approved in 15-20 days
• In 2025, improved digital infrastructure and application support are making the Canada Visit Visa process smoother and more efficient for applicants from the UAE and beyond.

TRV vs eTA: What’s the Difference?

The differences between TRV and eTA for Canada Tourist Visa are given in details below:

Feature	TRV (Temporary Resident Visa)	eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Who needs it	Citizens of visa-required countries	Citizens of visa-exempt countries traveling by air
Document type	Visa sticker in passport (single/multiple entry)	Digital authorization linked to passport (no sticker)
Typical cost	CAD 100 application fee; CAD 85 biometrics (if required)	CAD 7 online fee; no biometrics
Processing time	Usually weeks (varies by country/season)	Minutes to days (occasionally longer if flagged)
Biometrics	Often required (fingerprints + photo)	Not required
Validity	Valid to expiry date on visa; each stay up to 6 months unless otherwise stated	Up to 5 years or until passport expires; each stay up to 6 months unless otherwise stated

What is a Canada Visit Visa?

A Canada Visit Visa, or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is an official document that allows foreign people to enter Canada for a short time. People usually get this visa for tourism, seeing family, or business meetings. Most visit visas let you stay for up to six months and can be either single-entry or multiple-entry, depending on your plans. You can't work in Canada with this visa, and you need to prove that you'll go back home after your visit.

*Looking for guidance with Canada Tourist Visa? Sign up with Y-Axis for end-to-end dupport with the process.
 

Types of Canadian Tourist Visa

Canada provides travellers with two main visa categories which are the:

• Single Entry Visa
• Multiple Entry Visa

People who hold a Single Entry Visa may visit Canada once while Multiple Entry Visa holders can access the country repeatedly over a period of 10 years with each visit limited to 6 months. Both visa types serve short-term purposes such as tourism or visiting family members or conducting business activities.
 

Single Entry Visa

The visa permits travelers to enter Canada for a single occasion. For brief visits such as family events or tourism travel this visa is the best option. After you depart Canada you must apply for a new visa to enter the country unless your trip includes travel to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon.
 

Multiple Entry Visa

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issues this standard document to allow entry into Canada. These travel documents come with a multiple-entry feature that enables their holders to visit Canada repeatedly during the visa period which typically spans ten years or until their passport's expiry. The standard duration for each visit is six months. This type of visa is suitable for individuals who travel often or who plan to visit family regularly while others who seek extended stays abroad can also benefit from this option.
 

Benefits of a Visit Visa to Canada

The benefits of Canada Visit Visa are given below:

• Canada boasts cities, parks and tourist spots that you can legally visit.
• You can travel across the country to see your friends and family.
• You can participate in different events such as conferences or short courses.
• You can add US side trips to your Canadian travel itinerary when you meet certain requirements.
• The visa provides a 10-year period during which you can travel which boosts your flexibility.
   

 

Eligibility to Apply for a Canada Visit Visa from Dubai

To be eligible to apply for a Canada Visit Visa from Dubai, applicants must:

• Possess a valid passport and hold legal residency in the UAE.
• Seek entry for a short-term purpose like tourism, family visits, or business activities.
• Not plan to work or study in Canada.
• Show they have enough funds for their trip.
• Give proof of strong ties to the UAE or their home country (job, family, assets).
• Satisfy Canadian immigration rules for health and character.
• Have a good immigration record with no past visa issues.
• Convince the authorities they will return to the UAE or their home country after their visit.

Canada Visit Visa Requirements

The required documents for Canada Visit Visa are given below:

• A passport valid for the duration of your anticipated stay.
• A completed IMM 5257 visa application form.
• Current passport-sized photos that meet Canadian requirements.
• Evidence of enough funds to support your travel and stay in Canada.
• A travel plan that shows flight and lodging details, if possible.
• If applicable, a letter of invitation from relatives or friends in Canada.
• Documents proving your ties to your home country, like proof of employment, family, or property ownership.
• Bank statements or other financial records from the past 3–6 months.
• Your travel history, including copies of prior visas, if relevant.
• A medical check and biometrics, if your nationality calls for it.
• A cover letter stating the reason for your visit and your intention to return home.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa or eTA

Applying for a Canada Tourist Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. Below is a simple guide to help you complete your application smoothly:

Step 1: Determine if You Need a TRV or eTA

Check your nationality. If your country is visa-required, you must apply for a TRV. If you are visa-exempt and traveling by air, you need an eTA. Travelers arriving by land or sea from visa-exempt countries may not need either.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents such as

• Prepare the necessary paperwork before applying:
• Valid passport for the entire trip
• Proof of funds (bank statements, pay slips)
• Travel itinerary (flights, accommodation)     
• Invitation letter if visiting friends/family
• Ties to home country (job, property, return ticket)

Step 3: Apply Online via IRCC Portal

Create an online account, complete the appropriate TRV or eTA form, upload required documents (for TRV), and pay the processing fees.

Step 4: Provide Biometrics & Attend Interview (if required)

TRV applicants may be asked to submit biometrics after receiving a Biometrics Instruction Letter and could be called for an interview. eTA applicants generally skip this step.

Step 5: Wait for Decision and Receive Your Visa or eTA

For TRV applicants, passport submission may be required for visa stamping. eTA applicants receive approval by email, and the authorization is automatically linked to their passport.

 

Canada Tourist Visa Processing Time

Detailed information about the processing time of Canada Visit Visa is given below:

Visa Type / Application	Processing Time
Visitor Visa (from UAE)	~ 35 days
Single-entry vs Multiple-entry	~ 35 days

 

Canada Visit Visa Price

Detailed information about the Canada visit visa fees from Dubai are given in the table below:

Fee Type	Amount (CAD)
Visitor visa (single or multiple entry)	$100 per person
Visitor visa (family rate – ≥5 people)	$500 per family
Biometrics fee (individual)	$85 per person
Biometrics fee (family rate)	$170 per family
Extend visitor status	$100 per person
Restore status (visitor)	$200 total

Biometrics for Canada Tourist Visa: Process, Timelines, and Locations

Biometrics are a key part of the Canada Tourist Visa (TRV) application process and help confirm your identity for security and processing purposes. Below is everything you need to know:

• Who needs to give biometrics: Most TRV applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 must provide biometrics. eTA applicants are generally exempt.
• What happens: You will provide fingerprints (ten-print) and a digital photograph at an official Visa Application Centre (VAC) or a designated collection point.
• When to give: After applying, you’ll receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL). You must book and attend your appointment, usually within 30 days.
• How long it takes: The process takes 10–20 minutes; once completed, your application resumes processing.
• Where to go: Biometrics are given at your nearest VAC or, if unavailable locally, at a regional VAC in your country or nearby.

Duration of Stay in Canada & Visitor Record Extensions

Standard Stay Rules

Default stay: Visitors entering Canada on a TRV or eTA can remain for up to 6 months, unless the border officer specifies a shorter or longer period.

Multiple entries: If you hold a valid TRV or eTA, you may leave and re-enter Canada multiple times. However, each stay is typically capped at 6 months unless otherwise stated in your entry stamp or visitor record.

Extending Your Stay (Visitor Record)

• What it is: A Visitor Record is not a new visa but an official document that extends or changes your stay conditions in Canada.
• When to apply: Submit your application before your status expires, ideally 30+ days in advance.
• How to apply: Apply online with a valid reason (tourism, family visit, medical), proof of funds, and evidence of strong ties to your home country.
• Implied status: If you apply on time, you can legally stay in Canada while waiting for a decision under the same conditions.
• Outcome: If approved, the Visitor Record specifies your new expiry date. If refused, you must leave Canada immediately.

How can Y‑Axis help you?

Y-Axis provides professional help to people residing in the UAE who want to obtain a Canadian Tourist Visa. Our company takes care of every stage of the visa process from document preparation to the final approval through our service.

We provide the following services to our clients:

• FREE and instant Y-Axis Canada Immigration Points Calculator
• Guide clients to complete their online IRCC application.
• We provide individualized document checklists with detailed reviews.
• Our service schedules biometric appointments for clients at VFS Global.
• We provide clients with regular updates regarding their application status.