How to apply for a Canadian tourist visa
When foreign nationals want to visit Canada as tourists, they may need to apply for a temporary resident visa.
Even if they are just stopping in Canada as a layover during airline travel or are taking a cruise that stops at any Canadian port for any length of time – whether they intend to go ashore or not – they may need a visa.
How do I know if I need a visa? Citizens of nearly 150 different countries and territories require a visa to visit or transit Canada. Citizens of about 50 other countries do not need a visa to enter the United States as visitors. Those who do not need a visa include U.S. permanent residents (Green Card holders).
If you do need a visa to enter Canada, find more information at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. Important: Passports should be valid for at least three (3) months from your intended date of arrival in Canada.
You must apply in your country of residence, your country of nationality or the country where you have been legally admitted for at least one year. If you have a U.S. visitor visa and have been in the United States for less than one year, you may be able to apply for a Canadian temporary resident visa at a Canadian Consulate in the United States.
Persons lawfully admitted to the United States or Canada may submit temporary resident visa applications, either in person or by mail, at any of the six Canadian Visa Offices: Buffalo, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Washington, D.C. While some U.S. cities have a Canadian Consulate office, applications for temporary resident visas are only accepted at the above six offices.
Sometimes a person applying for a temporary resident visa to visit Canada is asked to provide a letter of invitation from someone in Canada. You may also need a medical examination.
Some people are inadmissible to Canada. You may not be allowed to enter Canada if you have been involved in criminal activity, human rights violations or organized crime. You could also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.
Criminal offenses include both minor and serious offenses, such as theft, assault, manslaughter, dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DWI, DWAI, DWUI).
If you think you may be inadmissable, contact us to determine if you are eligible for a waiver, which may allow you to enter Canada.
