Visitor Visa & eTA
Visit Canada for tourism, family reunions, or business — with confidence your application is correct
TRV vs eTA — Which Do You Need?
Whether you need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) depends on your citizenship and how you're travelling to Canada.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
A TRV (visitor visa) is a stamp or sticker placed in your passport authorizing you to seek entry into Canada. Required for citizens of countries that are not visa-exempt. TRVs can be issued as single-entry or multiple-entry (valid up to 10 years or 1 year before passport expiry).
Single-entry: one trip to Canada. Multiple-entry: unlimited trips during validity period.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Citizens of visa-exempt countries (other than US citizens) who fly to Canada need an eTA linked electronically to their passport. An eTA is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever is first, and allows multiple entries. US citizens do not need an eTA or TRV.
eTA required for air travel only — not for entry by land or sea.
Super Visa (Parents & Grandparents)
The Super Visa is a multi-entry visitor visa specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows stays of up to 5 years per visit (recently extended from 2 years) with validity up to 10 years. A qualifying Canadian child/grandchild must meet a minimum income threshold.
Requires private health insurance from a Canadian provider.
Why Visitor Visas Get Refused — And How We Help
Refusals are preventable. Most come down to the same few issues that an RCIC can identify and address before you apply.
Weak Ties to Home Country
Officers must be satisfied you will leave Canada when your status expires. Insufficient proof of employment, property, family, or financial obligations at home is the #1 refusal reason. We help you identify and document your ties effectively.
Insufficient Funds
You must demonstrate enough money to support your visit without working. Officers look at bank statements, income, and trip purpose. We advise on what financial documentation is appropriate and how to present it convincingly.
Unclear Purpose of Visit
A vague or inconsistent visit purpose raises suspicion. We help draft a clear, consistent narrative supported by invitation letters, itinerary, and event documentation that aligns with your overall application.
Prior Refusals or Overstays
A history of refusals or immigration violations in Canada or other countries significantly impacts your application. Mohamed Aboud can assess your admissibility and advise whether a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or other remedy is appropriate.
Approximate Processing Times
Times vary by country of application and IRCC volumes. These are general estimates — always check IRCC's tool for current times.
| Application Type | Where Applied | Approx. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visa (TRV) — Online | Most countries | 14–38 days |
| eTA | Online only | Minutes to 72 hrs |
| Super Visa | Outside Canada | 60–100 days |
| Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) | At port of entry / IRCC | Varies widely |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you are already in Canada as a visitor, you can apply to extend your status online through IRCC's portal before your current status expires. If you apply before your status expires and your application is still in process when your authorized stay ends, you remain in Canada with "maintained status" (formerly implied status) until a decision is made. Mohamed Aboud can review your situation and advise whether an extension application is appropriate and likely to succeed.
Yes, you can reapply after a refusal, but you should address the reasons for the refusal before doing so. Simply resubmitting the same application will likely result in another refusal. After a refusal you receive a letter identifying the officer's concerns — this is the roadmap for a stronger reapplication. Mohamed Aboud reviews refusal letters, identifies the actual concerns (which are sometimes different from the stated reasons), and helps build a stronger application that directly addresses officer concerns.
A Super Visa is a special multiple-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Unlike a regular visitor visa which typically allows stays of up to 6 months, a Super Visa allows a stay of up to 5 years per entry. The Super Visa requires proof that the Canadian sponsor meets a minimum income threshold (Low Income Cut-Off + 30%), and the applicant must have private Canadian health insurance of at least $100,000 coverage for at least 1 year. The visa itself can be valid for up to 10 years.
Ready to Visit Canada?
Let Mohamed Aboud | RCIC-IRB review your profile and build the strongest possible application for your situation.