Visa Required Countries
For foreign nationals looking to visit or become a permanent resident in Canada, it’s important to be aware of the visa requirements for your country of origin. Working holiday visas, work visas, study visas, or other valid visitor visa on arrival is required when you come to Canada.
You will need to identify the type of visa that is appropriate for your visit. Oro Immigration can help you determine the right visa to apply for, and assist with the process, to ensure requirements are met, and increasing the chances of successfully obtaining a visa.
Immigration rules are always changing, so it’s recommended to check the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website when planning travel, or contact Oro Immigration to help.
Process for Visitors from Visa Required Countries
Traveling to Canada as a foreign national from a visa-required country involves a series of steps and requirements to ensure a smooth and lawful entry into the country. Canada is known for its welcoming attitude towards visitors, but strict immigration regulations must be followed. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
First, you need to determine if you require a visa to enter Canada. Canada has a list of visa-required countries, and a citizen of a foreign country on this list typically needs a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit Canada for tourism, business, or a family visit.
The next step is to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa through the nearest Canadian embassy, consulate, or online via the Government of Canada website. You need to provide a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds for the trip, a letter of invitation (if applicable), and other supporting documents. There is also a processing fee that must be paid.
You need to also meet all of the requirements of the specific type of visa you apply for and the type of visit you are planning.
You will be required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photographs) and attend an interview if required by the Canadian government.
Once you have submitted your application, you will have to wait for it to be processed. Visa processing times can vary depending on your country of residence and other factors. Be sure to allow enough time before your intended travel date. The processing time may take from 8 weeks to 90 days or more.
If your visa is approved, you will receive notification and a visa sticker in your passport, or you will be issued an electronic visa. An electronic visa (e-Visa) streamlines the visa process.
When you arrive in Canada, you must provide the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers with all required documentation, including valid passport, and meet all entry requirements.
You must abide by the terms and conditions of your visa, including the maximum duration of stay, and leave Canada before your visa expires. In some cases, you may be able to apply for an extension. If you wish to extend your stay or change your status, such as from a tourist to a student or worker, you must apply for the appropriate permit or extension before your current visa expires. You must also comply with all Canadian laws and regulations during your stay.
You cannot apply for a visa upon arrival in Canada.
Process for Travellers From a Visa Exempt Country
Want more information on Start-Up Visa Program? Oro Immigration can help!
Transit Visa
A transit visa for passing through Canada is a temporary travel document that allows travelers to transit through Canadian airports on their way to another country. It is necessary for individuals from visa-required countries, even if they have no intention of entering Canada. To obtain a transit visa, applicants typically need a valid passport, a confirmed flight itinerary, and a visa for their final destination, if required. The process involves filling out an application, paying a fee, and providing biometric data if necessary. Processing times vary, but it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your travel date. Once granted, the transit visa allows for a brief stopover in Canada, usually for up to 48 hours, depending on the circumstances. Compliance with Canadian immigration regulations during the transit period is mandatory.
Visitor Visas (Tourist Visa)
If you’re planning to visit Canada for tourism only and are coming from a visa-required country, a Visitor Visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is required.
To qualify, you will need to meet certain requirements.
You will need a valid passport. You should ensure your passport validity is good for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Canada.
A Visitor Visa application form will need to be filled out; these are available online on the Government of Canada’s website. You will also need recent passport-sized photos that meet Government of Canada specifications. A medical examination to ensure you’re healthy and biometric information, including your fingerprints, are required too.
You may need to provide details of your itinerary, including where you’ll be staying and details about your return flight, as part of your evidence that you are planning to return to your country of origin. You also need to prove that you have enough money to cover your stay in Canada and to pay for your trip back. You will need to demonstrate that you have strong connections to your home country, such as a job, property, or family back home.
When you apply, you will need to pay the application fee associated with processing your visa application.
Depending on your individual circumstances, there may be additional requirements.
Study Permit and Student Visas
Canada is home to world-class educational institutions, making it a top choice for international students. If you plan to study in Canada, you’ll likely need a study permit, regardless of your nationality. Potential students from visa-required countries have additional requirements.
You will need to secure admission to a Designated Learning Institution in Canada and receive a formal Letter of Acceptance. You must provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and your return ticket.
You may also need to undergo a medical examination and submit a police clearance certificate. You must possess a valid passport and meet health and security requirements. Additionally, applicants may need to attend an interview at a Canadian embassy or consulate.
If You Are Seeking Employment
You will need to provide evidence of a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. This offer should be in writing and include details about the job, salary, and other terms of employment. All requirements of the work permit program you are applying under will need to be met, in addition to the visa requirements.
Canada offers various types of work permits, including open work permits, employer-specific work permits, and post-graduation work permits. A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) may also be necessary in some cases. You may need to provide proof of your qualifications, work experience, and language skills, as required.
Next, you may be required to prove that you’re admissible to Canada. This means you must not have a criminal record or pose a security risk. You may need to provide police clearance certificates or undergo a medical exam.
Permanent Residents
If you are a permanent resident of Canada, you can enter using your Permanent Resident Card.
Help Obtaining a Visa
Oro Immigration helps potential visitors and those looking to immigrate navigate Canada’s requirements, including visa requirements, to increase the chances of a successful application. If you aren’t eligible, we will clearly explain the reasons, and make recommendations for alternative options.
List of Visa-Required Countries
Visitors from the below countries need to apply for a visa to visit Canada by any means of travel, including plane, car, bus, train or cruise ship. This includes visiting or transiting through Canada.
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda (Some citizens of Antigua and Barbuda may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Argentina (Some citizens of Argentina may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil (Some citizens of Brazil may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon, Republic of
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China, People’s Republic of
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo, Democratic Republic of
- Congo, Republic of
- Costa Rica, Republic of (Some citizens of Costa Rica may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel (must have a valid Israeli “Travel Document in lieu of National Passport”)
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Korea, North
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macao Special Administrative Region
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives Islands
- Mali
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Micronesia, Fed. States
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco (Some citizens of Morocco may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestinian Authority
- Panama (Some citizens of Panama may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines (Some citizens of the Philippines may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Qatar
- Romania (holder of a non-electronic passport, such as a temporary passport)
- Russia
- Rwanda
- São Tomé e Principe
- Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles (Some citizens of the Seychelles may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- St. Kitts and Nevis (Some citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- St. Lucia (Some citizens of St. Lucia may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines (St. Vincent) (Some citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Sudan
- Surinam
- Syria
- Taiwan (must have a passport other than one issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan which includes their personal identification number)
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand (Some citizens of Thailand may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago (Some citizens of Trinidad and Tobago may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Uruguay (Some citizens of Uruguay may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Visa Exempt Travelers
Travellers from exempt countries require an electronic travel authorization (eTA).