Visitor Visas

Between 2004 and 2013, based on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada reports, more than a million people came to Canada to seek a new life. Here is a list of the top countries people emigrated to establish their home in Canada:

Liberal MP Joe Peschisolido is optimistic that he can persuade federal ministers to curb so-called birth tourism, as pressure for action mounts in B.C. “We are reaching a tipping point,” he said. “Nurses have told me that this is displacing folks from giving birth in Richmond.”

In some situations, international students in this country may need – or be required by their Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) – to defer their program’s start date to the following semester.

Yes, but only with a work permit.

If you are sponsoring your spouse or partner in Canada, they can apply for an open work permit when they apply for permanent residence.

Canada is set to speed up the processing of certain visitor visas. This is part of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)'s new strategy, aiming to improve services for newcomers and reduce wait times.

A new arrangement between Canada and Portugal will give people between the ages of 18 and 35 the opportunity to live and work in either country. Signed May 3, the new bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement will let 2,000 Canadian and 2,000 Portuguese youth travel and work in each country through the Working Holiday, International Co-op, and Young Professional streams of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.

The government of Canada has unveiled its New Tourism Vision, a 20-point plan that aims to increase the number of international tourists coming to the country by 30 percent by 2021. As part of this plan, the government has set an even higher target for the Chinese market, with plans in place to double the number of Chinese tourists coming to Canada over the next four years.

Effective March 1, 2023, new measures will make it easier for Iranians already in Canada to extend their temporary stay and move between temporary streams.

The visa requirement for United Arab Emirate citizens travelling to Canada for short stays will end on June 5, the Government of Canada has announced. Hussen said the visa exemption will help foster new business, trade and investment opportunities, among other advantages.

New pre-screening system will be mandatory for certain visitors as of September 29, 2016. In just a few weeks, it will be mandatory for visa-exempt visitors to Canada to apply for an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before departure if traveling by air. Recent reports highlight the need for eTA applicants to disclose their own information rather than relying on third parties such as travel agents, employers, friends or other organizations. These third parties may not be fully aware of the applicant’s history, which may include, among other things, prior criminality.

On September 20, 2016 – Ottawa, ON – To give travellers and airlines more time to prepare for changes when flying to or transiting through Canada, the government is extending the leniency period for the (eTA) requirement until November 9, 2016. Starting November 10, 2016, Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, will need a valid Canadian passport to board their flight to Canada otherwise they will experience delays. All visa-exempt travellers (except United States [U.S.] citizens) will need an eTA to board their flight.

Canadians will head to the polls in October to elect a new federal government, which could bring ‎changes to Canada’s current immigration policies. ‎

Settlement reached in secret with plaintiffs who said January 28 intake was 'arbitrary' and 'unjust'

In the coming years, Canada is on track to welcome the highest numbers of newcomers ever. In 2022, IRCC made more than five million final decisions on applications across all lines of business, double the number of decisions in 2021.

Many provincial immigration streams target candidates with work experience in a specific occupation
Immigration candidates with work experience in any skilled occupation may be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Canada’s Express Entry system, but experience in a specific line of work can be an advantage at the provincial level.

Starting July 31, fingerprints and a photo will become mandatory for many people applying from Europe, the Middle East and Africa for a Canadian visitor visa, work or study permit, permanent residence or for asylum in Canada. Known as biometrics, the fingerprints and photo will be required for identification purposes. This requirement will be extended to Asia, Asia-Pacific and the Americas on December 31, 2018.

Canada's population reached 37,314,442 on January 1, 2019

IRCC also unveils new measures to protect vulnerable workers and newcomers

Canada refused more than a quarter of all temporary resident visa applications in 2017 — and 30 percent in the first three months of 2018, the Globe and Mailnewspaper is reporting. The report, published July 8, is based on data obtained by the Globe and Mailfrom Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that show both the number of Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications for purposes including tourism, school, business, conferences and family visits — and the number of refusals — increasing significantly since 2012.

A Temporary Resident Visa or visitor visa (TRV) is an official document placed in your passport that demonstrates to Canadian authorities that you have met the requirements for admission into Canada as a visitor, student or worker. Canada requires citizens of certain countries to obtain a TRV before they can enter Canada.