About
To enter Canada, most non-Canadians require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) unless they are from a visa-exempt country. The type of visa depends on the purpose of travel, such as tourism, study, work, or family sponsorship. Canadian visas are typically issued electronically and linked to your passport.
Common visa types
Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa - TRV)- Purpose: Short-term visits for tourism, business, or visiting family/friends.
- Validity: Usually up to 6 months per entry, multiple entries possible.
- Eligibility: Applicants from countries that require a visa to enter Canada.
- How to apply: Online application through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or at a visa office.
- Purpose: For visa-exempt travelers flying to Canada.
- Validity: Up to 5 years or until passport expires.
- Eligibility: Citizens of visa-exempt countries traveling by air.
- How to apply: Online application; usually approved within minutes.
- Purpose: Allows international students to study at a Canadian designated learning institution.
- Validity: Valid for the duration of the program plus 90 days after completion.
- Eligibility: Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian school, proof of funds, and meeting health and character requirements.
- How to apply: Apply online via IRCC or through a visa office.
- Purpose: For temporary employment in Canada.
- Eligibility: Job offer from a Canadian employer; sometimes requires Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- How to apply: Online application via IRCC or at a visa office.
General application requirements
All Canada visa applications must be submitted online via the IRCC website, unless otherwise instructed.
- Valid passport: Must be valid for the intended stay.
- Visa application form: Complete the online form for your visa type.
- Visa fee: Pay the required application fee.
- Supporting documents: Proof of funds, invitation letters, employment/academic documents as required.
- Health and security checks: Medical exams or police certificates may be required depending on visa type.
VISA
Study & Training Visas
Business & Investment Visas
Course
Business & Management
MBA, International Business, Accounting & Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management
Engineering & Technology
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Software Engineering, Computer Science, IT
Health & Medicine
Nursing, Public Health, Medicine, Pharmacy, Biomedical Science, Physiotherapy
Hospitality & Tourism
Hotel Management, Event Management, Tourism & Travel, Culinary Arts
Creative Arts & Design
Graphic Design, Animation, Architecture, Fashion, Film & Media, Interior Design
Science & Research
Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Data Science, Agriculture, Marine Biology, Artificial Intelligence
Law & Education
Law (LLB, LLM), Early Childhood Education, TESOL, Special Education, Educational Leadership
Emerging & Trending Fields
AI & Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, Business Analytics, Renewable Energy, Robotics
Requirement
The requirements depend on the type of Canadian visa (tourist, student, work, permanent residency, etc.). Below are the common requirements for most visa types.
Common requirements for any Canada Visa
- Valid passport : Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay in Canada.
- Visa application form : Most applications are done online via the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
- Visa fee : You must pay the required application fee, which varies by visa type.
- Health requirement : Some visas require a medical examination conducted by an approved panel physician.
- Character requirement : Police clearance certificates may be required to prove good character.
- Proof of financial capacity : You need to show sufficient funds to support yourself (and dependents if any) during your stay in Canada. Bank statements, scholarship letters, or sponsorship letters are usually accepted.
- Intent to leave Canada (for temporary visas) : You may need to demonstrate that you will return to your home country after your visa expires.
Additional Requirements by Visa Type
| Visa Type | Key Additional Requirements | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist / Visitor Visa | Travel itinerary; proof of accommodation; invitation letter (if visiting family/friends); travel insurance; proof of funds. | IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada |
| Student Visa (Study Permit) | Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian institution; proof of sufficient funds; proof of English/French language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, TEF, etc.); medical exams if required; police certificates for background check. | IRCC – Study in Canada |
| Work Visa / Temporary Work Permit | Job offer from a Canadian employer; Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if required; proof of skills, education, and work experience; language proficiency in English/French. | IRCC – Work in Canada |
| Permanent Residency | Proof of eligibility under Express Entry programs, Provincial Nominee Programs, or Family Sponsorship; medical exams; police clearance; proof of funds; English/French proficiency. | IRCC – Immigration Programs |
Cost of Living
- Accommodation : CAD 700 – 1,800 / month (shared, on-campus, private rental)
- Food & Groceries : CAD 250 – 500 / month (home cooking cheaper)
- Utilities & Internet : CAD 100 – 200 / month (electricity, gas, water, internet)
- Transport : CAD 80 – 150 / month (student discounts available, public transit)
- Mobile Phone : CAD 40 – 80 / month (prepaid/contract plans)
- Health Insurance : CAD 60 – 100 / month (mandatory for international students in some provinces)
- Entertainment & Misc. : CAD 100 – 250 / month (movies, gym, dining, shopping)
- Annual Estimate : ~CAD 22,000 – 30,000 (≈ 1,800 – 2,500 / month)