For tourist visits to Canada visa of less than 180 days, U.S. citizens do not need visas. Other types of travel (e.g., to work, study, or immigrate) generally requires visas. For complete information on visa categories and requirements, consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
Anyone with a criminal record (including misdemeanors or alcohol-related driving offenses) may not be able to enter Canada without first obtaining an approval for rehabilitation well in advance of any planned travel. To determine whether you may be inadmissible and how to overcome this finding, please refer to the CIC website.
Entry into Canada is solely determined by Canada Visa Application Online Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law. Please see the CBSA’s website for full details.
Travel Programs: Both the U.S. and Canadian governments urge frequent travelers to join the NEXUS trusted traveler program.
Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.
Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship.
Entry into the United States: When traveling by air from Canada, U.S. citizens are required by U.S. law to present a U.S. passport book. A few exceptions to this rule and a full list of documents that can be used at land and sea borders are provided on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.
Travel with Minors: If you plan to travel to Canada with a minor who is not your own child or for whom you do not have full legal custody, CBSA may require you to present a notarized affidavit of consent from the minor’s parents. Please refer to the CBSA websitefor more details.
Travel for Private Boaters and Recreational Vessels: Canada Visa for Swiss Citizens law requires all foreign private boaters, including recreational vessels, to present themselves upon their arrival in Canada to the CBSA. See the CBSA website for information regarding reporting requirements upon entry to Canada by boat. For procedures to report arrivals in the United States, please refer to the Small Vessel Reporting System and Pleasure Boat Reporting Requirements.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Canada.
Let Travel Visa Pro navigate the bureaucracy that is the Canada visa system. As long as you have a passport valid for more than six months and can convince an immigration officer that you have plans to leave the country, a Canada tourist visa is easily available to you. Should you need to visit Canada to look for ways to grow your business, invest, or network with potential clients, you will need to provide documentation that supports your application. TVP staff can assist with our personalized customer service; our team members are trained to reply to their emails and calls promptly. Even if you’re flying into Canada at the last minute, we have personnel to handle customer inquiries on weekends and holidays.
What Are the Required Documents for a Canada Visa?
Here are the documents required for a Canada visa:
- Your passport.
- Appropriate Canada visa application form.
- Proof of paid Canada visa fees.
- Proof of clean criminal record.
- Proof of being in good health through a medical exam.
- Photographs in accordance with the photo requirements for Canada visa.
- Proof of financial means.
- Proof you will return to your home country once the Canadian visa expires.
- Identity and Civil Status Documents.
- A cover letter that explains the purpose of your travel to Canada.
- Letter of support/invitation to Canada.
Age
The requirements may differ based on whether the applicant is an adult (over 18) or a minor (17 or under). Only adults can be primary applicants on an application. The minors must be attached as the dependents.
If a minor is travelling alone, there are different requirements. (See the visa requirements for minors below).
Passport
You must have a valid passport and any other travel documentation. When you apply for a Canadian visa, you have to provide photocopies of the information page of your passport. It must include:
- Your passport number.
- The date of issue and expiry.
- Your personal information: name, photo, place of birth, and date of birth.
Documents and forms
When you apply for a Canadian visa, you will have to download an Application Package from the IRCC website. There, you will find an instructional guide, a document checklist, as well as all the forms you have to complete and submit.
You have to submit all the documents and forms that are on the checklist. These documents include (but are not not limited to) passport copies, pictures, fee receipts, and other identity documents.
In addition to the documents listed on IRCC’s checklist, different countries may require specific documents. You will have to ask the visa office responsible in your country whether you need additional documents.
