Individuals seeking to stay in Canada for a short period, usually less than 6 months will have to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and also pay the necessary fees. Note that these groups of visas are usually different; the one you need depends on your objective of wanting to enter Canada. One of these types is the Canadian Visitor Visa, which is also known as a Tourist Visa for Canada.

The Canadian Visitor visa is an official document/stamp affixed on your passport that shows Canadian Authorities that you have met and satisfied all stipulated requirements to be allowed entry into the country as a tourist for a short-term purpose. To obtain this visa, the applicant can choose to apply online or provide a paper-based application.

It rests on the Canadian Consulate to decide how long you are permitted to be in the country with your visitor’s Visa. There are situations where they only allow the visa for the timeframe you want to visit Canada, and there are also circumstances where they give you the visa until your passport expires.

Most often, it depends on whether they believe you will return to your home country or not. Nevertheless, despite how long your Canada Visitors Visa is valid, you are not allowed to stay there for more than 6 months at a time.

It simply means that after 6 months, you will be expected to return to your home country, stay for some time, and then return to Canada again for another 6 months. When you reapply, you will still be expected to meet and pass the statutory requirements again.

Breakdown of Fees for Canadian Visitor Visa

There are certain standard fees set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and they are expected to be paid or submitted along with most visa applications. Note that these fees are mostly the same irrespective of your nationality or country of origin. Here is a breakdown of fees for the Canadian Visitor Visa;

  1. Processing Fees

The processing fee for a visitor’s visa tends to depend on the number of family members that are accompanying the principal applicant. Also note that these fees are entirely different from any fees paid to an authorized representative, such as an attorney or immigration agent. They are also subject to change by IRCC without notice. Howbeit, if you need a visitor visa to enter Canada, you will have to pay the following fees:

  • Visitor or Super visa for single or multiple entries to Canada: $100CAD per person
  • Visitor visa for single or multiple entries to Canada for a family of 5 or more (all family members must apply at the same time): $500CAD
  • Extend a visitor visa: $100 CAD per person
  • Restore a visitor visa: $200 CAD per person
  • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) Processing Fees: $7 CAD
  1. Biometric Fees

You will be expected to submit your biometrics when applying for a Canadian visitor visa. This fee covers the cost of a digital photo and the collection of fingerprints. If you choose to apply via a Visa Application Center (VAC), it will also cover the costs of checking if your application is complete, sending your application to the visa office, moving your passports and supporting documents to and from the visa office, and also tracking applications.

  • Individual applicants: $85 CAD
  • Families applying together: Maximum total fee of $170 CAD
  • Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff: Maximum total fee of $255 CAD

How to Pay the Fees for a Canadian Visitor Visa

When applying for a Canadian visitor visa, note that you will be expected to pay your Canada tourist/ visitor visa application fee with a credit card. Also note that the fees you pay are not refunded, irrespective of the outcome of your visa application.

It simply means that even if you are found to be ineligible for the visa, the IRCC will not refund your Canadian visitor visa fees. Also, if you choose to apply again, you will still be expected to pay another processing fee and, if applicable, another biometric fee.

Conclusion

When you apply for a Canadian Visitor visa, note that you will be expected to pay a processing fee coupled with any other fees required to run your application. Also note that temporary residence applicants (visitor visas, study permits, work permits) are only expected to provide biometrics once every 10 years.

However, permanent residence applicants are mandated to always provide their biometrics with their application, irrespective of if or when they have made available their biometrics in the past.