Canada Tourist Visa – Record-breaking 1.16 Million Issuance
In 2022, Canada issued 1,167,269 tourist visas from all over the world, resuming previous records. India, Ukraine, and China are the top three countries for visitors, holding 63% of the total number.
To accommodate the rising demand for visitor visas to Canada, IRCC continues to cut back on backlogs and process visas more swiftly. For clients to receive better service and avoid lengthy processing wait times, IRCC has been modernizing all its services and adding assistance from temporary residence programmes.
The IRCC figures show that Canada now processes more tourist visa applications than before the outbreak. More than 260,000 Canada tourist visa were processed in November 2022 alone. In contrast, on average, there were roughly 180,000 applications each month in 2019.
What is Canada Tourist Visa (TRV)?
You can enter Canada on a tourist visa, sometimes called a Canadian visitor visa or a temporary residence visa (TRV). Generally, your passport will be labelled your Canada tourist visa (or valid travel document.) This document demonstrates that you are legally eligible to enter Canada. Moreover, with a few exceptions (Notably U.S. passport holders), permanent residents can request an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter and visit Canada in some countries. Visitors, students, and temporary foreign workers are all considered temporary residents.
Why are temporary residents important to Canada?
The Canadian economy, communities, and hospitable society all depend on immigration. Thousands of students, visitors, temporary foreign workers (TFWs), and permanent residents travel to Canada annually. Newcomers were vital on the Canadian front lines during the COVID-19 epidemic, working in hospitals, food production, agricultural operations on large and small farms, manufacturing, and transportation industries. Multiculturalism is undoubtedly one of Canada’s most significant achievements and a model for the world.
Visitors
Visitors to Canada, including tourists, business travellers, and other temporary residents, help the country’s economy flourish. 962,506 TRVs and eTAs were given to visitors in total in 2021. The numerous COVID-19 exemptions were phased out in September 2021 in favour of admission criteria depending on vaccination status. IRCC issued priority visas and eTAs for business travellers, clients who self-identified as meeting the requirements for the family member exemption, and pre-adjudicated family members who needed to write permission to enter Canada after the easing announcement of border restrictions in September 2021.
Visitors Growth in 2022
After a brutal pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the number of visitors worldwide who received their visitor visas climbed by 393% from 2021 to 2022 (From 236,596 to 1,167,269).
The statics showed that after a visitor levels decline in 2020 and 2021, Canada saw a jump return to pre-pandemic levels, with the number of visitor visas in Canada climbing by nearly 393% in 2022 compared to 2021. After a complicated pandemic in 2020 and 2021, international visitors resumed visiting Canada last year.
The following graph displays Canada’s visitor visa population changes during the previous eight years. (2015-2022):
Source: IRCC Statistics and Open Data
Visitor Visas (V-1 Counterfoil Only) Approved by IRCC from January 2015 to December 2022 | ||||||||
Top 10 Source Countries | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
India | 128,739 | 148,109 | — | 325,290 | 292,703 | 55,762 | 89,637 | 348,755 |
Ukraine | — | — | — | — | — | 1,957 | 2,947 | 307,974 |
China | 315,185 | 350,949 | — | 470,689 | 297,045 | 25,426 | 31,816 | 83,661 |
Philippines | 28,219 | 34,946 | — | 50,753 | 48,297 | 9,594 | 8,183 | 48,346 |
Iran | 11,783 | 16,754 | — | 58,515 | 34,577 | 5,957 | 15,685 | 37,083 |
Colombia | 13,375 | 14,394 | — | 21,128 | 23,267 | 5,196 | 4,697 | 27,463 |
Vietnam | 6,723 | 15,019 | — | 30,298 | 29,146 | 7,969 | 5,990 | 23,454 |
Nigeria | 13,852 | 15,582 | — | 16,780 | 19,702 | 5,281 | 7,025 | 19,213 |
Pakistan | 11,627 | 15,651 | — | 18,150 | 19,453 | 4,434 | 4,877 | 18,353 |
Bangladesh | — | — | — | — | — | 1,927 | 4,436 | 14,362 |
Total | 919,686 | 1,029,056 | — | 1,336,864 | 1,082,396 | 189,339 | 236,596 | 1,167,269 |
Note: A “V-1” counterfoil is used for Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) for those (Excluding eTA applications) that are visiting Canada from non-visa-exempt countries and coming to Canada as tourists or to visit family or friends. This data does not include TRVs issued to temporary foreign workers, foreign students, diplomats, etc. The table reflects the number of V-1 visas issued, not the number of actual visits.
International tourists have increased again
464,100 foreign temporary residents arrived in Canada in June 2022, a significant increase from the 34,500 who came in June 2021. This currently accounts for more than half (52.2%) of the foreign visitors who entered Canada in June 2019 before the epidemic.
In June, more people from important markets came to the country. However, European visitors are rebounding more quickly than Asian visitors, who increased from 12,300 to 99,000 during the same period, going from 10,100 in June 2021 to 244,700 in June 2022.
Demographics
International visitors are primarily coming from Asia. IRCC statistics for 2022 show that almost 50% of all international visitors come from seven Asian countries, India, with 348,755, represents about 30% of visa issuance. Ukraine (307,974) sends the next-greatest number of visitors.
Asia
Looking at the numbers, it’s Asian countries that remain at the top of the Canadian rankings for total international visitors in Canada in 2022. Asian countries accounted for seven of the top 10 countries in 2022 ranked by international visitors in Canada. The sheer volume of visitors from countries like India, China, and the Philippines is enough to vault these countries to the top of the rankings and interesting enough, except China, they not only fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels but the number also increased significantly in 2022.
Ukraine
IRCC has established the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) to assist the Ukrainian people considering the current situation. It provides free, prolonged temporary status to Ukrainians and their families, enabling them to live, work, and study in Canada until it is secure for them to return home.
Why does Canada have so many tourists?
Canada’s domestic and international tourist sectors are both sizable. Canada, the second-largest country globally, is incredibly diverse geographically and a significant tourist attraction. Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver/Whistler, Niagara Falls, Vancouver Island, the Canadian Rockies, the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Churchill, Manitoba, and the National Capital Area of Ottawa-Gatineau are the main tourist destinations in the country. The main cities are renowned for their diversity, national parks, and historical monuments, as well as for their culture. Together, domestic and foreign tourism directly supports 309,000 employments in Canada and provides 1% of its GDP.
Who are the visitors?
Visitors are persons who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and are legally authorized to enter Canada to:
- Visit Canada as a tourist on holiday (Vacation),
- Visit family or friends,
- Transit through Canada
- Conduct business, etc.
- Attend a meeting, conference, or trade show
- Study or Work
Visitors are restricted in length of stay and subject to various conditions. Anyone who plans to visit Canada must apply from outside of Canada before they travel. Most people require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to visit Canada – not both. A temporary resident visa (Canada tourist visa, also called a visitor visa) is an official document that IRCC attaches to your passport. It proves that you meet the requirements required to enter Canada. Some people may only need their valid passports.
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada unless, at the port of entry, the border services officer may gives you a visitor record or put the date in your passport that shows the date you need to leave.
What are the requirements for a Canada tourist visa?
- Have a valid travel document, like a passport
- Be in good health
- Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
- satisfy an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets, or family—that will take you back to your home country
- Convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
- Have sufficient money for your stay (The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel or with friends or relatives)
- You may also need a medical examination and a letter of invitation from a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada who lives in Canada
What are the chances of getting a Canada tourist visa?
According to the IRCC, the approval rate has decreased from 82% to 66% from 2011 to 2020. The correct information can significantly strengthen your likelihood of getting a Canadian TRV after refusal. Applicants need to determine why an application got refused, mainly if the following application is likely to be presented in the future. Many individuals do not comprehend the process, and there is a high refusal rate when they apply independently. It would be best if you extensively addressed all the previous refusal reasons to avoid the subsequent refusal.
Why is Canada tourist visa rejected?
There is one thing you should know there are many reasons for TRV refusal, depending on various cases, the type of visa you applied for, and the country of your citizenship. When examining the TRV applications, the IRCC visa officers’ immediate question is: “Will the applicants return to their home country after the duration of their intended trip to Canada?” So, if applicants fail to convince the IRCC officers that they will exit Canada at the end of their authorized stay or if they have grounds to believe that the applicants may overstay in Canada, then the TRV application will most likely get refused.
How can I avoid Canada tourist visa refusal?
The TRV application is one of the most complex applications to get approved. It requires detailed personal and family information and many documents to strengthen and support your application. The TRVs approval or refusal process doesn’t require you to an interview, as the IRCC’s screening process is conducted by document verification of your application. It is essential to prepare a solid application, as the immigration officers can decide based on the information provided.
What are the TOP main reasons for my Canada tourist visa refusal?
There are the top 20 main reasons for Canadian TRVs Refusal. Read this article to understand better why and how you can prepare not to get your visa refused.
What are my chances of getting a Canada tourist visa?
In the past years, obtaining a Canadian study permit was more like a dream for many students. Although Canada has been a welcoming country for immigrants for many years due to its geographical conditions, area, and small population, the refusal rate of Canadian TRVs, including Visitors, Study, and Work visas, has increased in recent years due to the lack of applicant’s knowledge of Canadian immigration regulations.
The Canadian government has invested much in the last few years to regulate immigration services. It finally created the CICC (The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants), which licenses and regulates Canadian immigration and citizenship consultants in the public interest, whether they practice in Canada or abroad. This protects the public from any possible immigration fraud resulting from ghost consultants worldwide benefiting valuable immigrants who seek to increase their approval rate to get Canadian visas by using professional services.
Canada Tourist Visa FAQs
Keep going if you recently received a visa denial letter for Canada. If you have grounds to feel that the immigration officer erred by rejecting your application, you and your immigration attorney may file an appeal. A Canada tourist visa refusal may be appealed in specific circumstances. Resubmission of a solid application after correcting the previous error is the second option.
Unless your decision letter specifically states otherwise, you can reapply at any time if we reject your request to immigrate to Canada. You should reapply if you can include information that you didn’t include previously.
Your application can be refused if the IRCC officer reviewing your case has reasons to believe that you’ll stay in Canada longer than is authorized. You are not allowed to enter Canada.
Yes. Depending on your eligibility, there are always options to reapply for the same visa program or a new one. It would help if you weren’t concerned that your visa was refused.
IRCC will retain your fingerprints and photo for 10 years if the rejection was brought on by misrepresentation. The IRCC will retain your fingerprints and photo for 5 years if the refusal was made due to compliance, financial constraints, or health issues.
You can reapply anytime after a Canada tourist visa refusal, but you should also know what to do if your visa application is rejected.
While you can appeal the IRCC officer’s decision regarding your visa refusal, the good news is that the decision is not permanent. You can reapply for a visa at any time after your refusal.
While most immigrants successfully obtain a tourist visa for Canada, many applications get refused because of incomplete paperwork and inadequate or inaccurate supporting evidence. If you plan on getting a tourist visa for Canada, read this article to learn more about the TRV refusal reasons.
- A favourable Travel History.
- Membership and Participation.
- Employment/Career.
- Spouses and Children stay at home place.
- Property Ownership.
- Other Family, social, and cultural Ties.
- Business ownership (Entrepreneur) in your home country.
If you’re applying through a regular visitor, meaning you have no family member or other strong reason to come to Canada, you can provide a solid application, including proof of financial support, proof of ties to your home country, your education and employment, etc. The more funds you show, the better the chances your Canada tourist visa gets approved.
Many visitor visas are refused because applicants must meet the genuine temporary resident criteria. If your Canada tourist visa has been refused, you will need legal assistance and consultation addressing your eligibility criteria in any new application.
An applicant’s present and/or previous behaviours, such as drug use, criminal activity, or misrepresentation, may disqualify them from being granted a tourist visa to Canada. The applicant is typically informed of the specific law which applies if their request for a Canada tourist visa is denied.
The number of times a person may extend their visitor status is not regulated by law. Instead, the IRCC officer will consider the applicant’s background, the reason for the visit, and whether there is a good reason to stay as a visitor.
Upon Canada visa refusal, you will get a letter from the IRCC stating the reason for refusal. This will help you reapply by rectifying the errors if applicable.
The money will be used to pay for your costs in Canada. A single person needs, on average, 150 Canadian dollars per day. You should therefore strive for a monthly income of about 4500 CDN.
Those who need to apply for a Canada tourist visa can do so online, on paper, or in person at a Visa Application Center (VAC). Each family member, including minor children, must submit a separate application if you’re travelling as a family.
You can leave and return to Canada multiple times until your Canada tourist visa expires.
IRCC visa officers are very well trained to evaluate all aspects of an application, such as an applicant’s financial and family situation in their home countries, stated intent in visiting Canada, previous travel history, and many other aspects of their eligibility to get visa approval.
The number of times a person may apply for a Canada visitor visa is not regulated by law. Instead, the IRCC officer will consider the applicant’s previous refusal, the reason for the visit, and whether there is a good reason to enter Canada as a visitor.
If you want to stay longer in Canada as a visitor (extend your stay in Canada), you must apply for a visitor record. A visitor record is not a visa to allow you to enter Canada; it allows you to maintain your legal status as a visitor in Canada.
Visitors can usually stay for up to 6 months in Canada. If you’re allowed to enter Canada, the CBSA officer (border services officers) may allow you to remain for less or more than 6 months. If so, they’ll stamp the date you must leave in your passport.
Remembering that a visitor record is not the same as a visa is critical. You can stay longer if you have a visitor record, but it does not ensure you can leave and return to Canada. You must fulfil the requirements to reenter Canada if you travel outside.
If you are paying for your travelling to Canada, you must prove that you have enough money to pay for your airfare and other expenditures while in Canada. Provide the last six months’ pay stubs and the original bank statements for your account.
Yes. Most IRCC visa officers could verify the bank statements visa applicants submit alongside their visa applications by communicating with your bank. So, they confirm the transactions of your bank statement legally.
IRCC process most applications in a few weeks or less. Processing times depend on the visa office and if you need to do any extra step.
Applicant must first renew their passport, that the last 10 years valid. Then they must apply for a Canada visitor visa. kindly note that to get 10 years visa, your biometric must have the same validity as your visa, which is compulsory.
No. In most cases, your TRV refusal won’t affect your Canada PR visa application unless states in your TRV refusal that you are inadmissible to Canada. If your application was refused because the IRCC officer deciding your case had reason to believe you’ll stay in Canada beyond your authorized stay, that won’t affect your PR visa.
Before receiving your permanent resident visa, you are permitted to visit Canada as a tourist. But, until you have obtained your permanent resident visa, we highly advise against making any firm plans for your stay in Canada. You must apply for a visiting visa to visit Canada as a tourist.
As a visitor, you allow entering Canada on a Canada tourist visa. Once inside Canada, your tourist visa gives you legal status as a visitor to stay or travel anywhere in Canada for up to six months.
For a solid application, the Canada visa stamping processing time is around a few months or less. The processing times depend on various factors including your country’s situation, the IRCC visa office, and if you need to do any extra steps.
Unless your decision letter specifically states otherwise, you can reapply at any time if IRCC rejects your application to immigrate to Canada. You should reapply only if you can include information you didn’t include previously.
A Canada tourist visa rejection rate is around 30-50% depending on your country of residency.
If you entered Canada without a visa and want to stay longer, you must apply and pay a fee. A minimum of 30 days before your status expires, which is typically six months from the date you entered Canada, you should file for an extension. This must be carried out from within Canada.
If a person overstays their visa in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Canada Border Services Agency may issue a Removal or Deportation Order (CBSA). Removal orders will specify that you are not permitted to remain in Canada and must leave.
By writing an invitation letter, you can support a friend or member of your family. Your friend or relative must apply to the Canadian visa office for Canada tourist visa to come to Canada. An IRCC visa officer will examine the application and decisions regarding visa issuance.
A multiple-entry visa is suitable for as many trips into Canada for six months as you’d like. It will be valid for up to ten years or until one month before the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first.
No. The IRCC visa officer could call a bank to confirm the status of a statement presented supporting an application visa application.
How Can We Help You?
If you wish to apply for a Canada tourist visa, don’t hesitate to contact our Immigration firm for professional help. At ARNIKA, we can assist you in resolving your TRV refusal through our expertise to guide you in the right direction. Finally, we can handle your entire Canadian immigration process. By benefiting from ARNIKA’s service packages and our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), you will not only enhance your chances of success in your Visa Application, but you will get expert advice on your specific needs. Our RCIC is highly qualified to assist you with your eligibility evaluation, review all your documents and application forms, and submit them to the Canadian government as your authorized representative. He has helped many clients obtain a visa after a refusal, often after multiple refusals. This is his area of expertise.
