Visiting Canada

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

Citizens of visa-required countries need a visitor visa and a passport to visit or pass through Canada, however they travel. Citizens of eTA-required countries need an electronic travel authorization to board a flight to Canada, but not to arrive by land or sea. The list changes: as of May 26, 2026, eligible citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia may apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa to fly to Canada (as of October 13, 2026: IRCC – Visitor visa: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/visitor-visa.html).

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC and IRPR

• Visa validity. A visitor visa is a document placed in your passport showing you meet the requirements to travel to Canada, and you can use it to travel here until it expires. Its expiry date is the date by which you must arrive, not the date you must leave.
• Authorized stay. How long you can stay is decided each time you enter. Most visitors can stay up to six months; the border officer may allow less or more. In law, a temporary resident’s authorized stay is six months or another period an officer fixes.
• Staying longer means applying. As of October 13, 2026, IRCC says visitors who want to stay longer must apply for a visitor record (IRCC – Extend stay: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/extend-stay.html). A visitor record is not a visa; apply at least 30 days before your authorized stay ends. If you apply before your stay ends, you can remain legally until a decision, and you keep your status in the meantime.
• Super visa holders are different. A super visa allows stays of up to five years at a time, with multiple entries, and can be valid for up to ten years.

→ Official sources: IRCC Help Centre, “How long can I stay in Canada as a visitor?” (IRCC – Help Centre answer 1016: ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp) and “Can I stay in Canada until the expiry date on my visitor visa?” (IRCC – Help Centre answer 442: ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp)

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

A super visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents or registered Indians visit for up to five years at a time, with multiple entries over up to ten years; dependants can’t be included. Applicants must apply from outside Canada, hold private health insurance valid for at least a year, and take an immigration medical exam. As of October 13, 2026, the host must be the applicant’s child or grandchild, a citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian, 18 or older, living in Canada, meet the minimum necessary income and provide a letter of invitation (IRCC – Parent grandparent super visa: eligibility: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/parent-grandparent-super-visa/eligibility.html). For stays of six months or less, IRCC points applicants to a regular visitor visa.