Canada Visa for Indians

Yes, Indian passport holders require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) also known as Visitor Visa to enter Canada. The visa costs CAD $100 plus CAD $85 for biometrics (total CAD $185 or approximately ₹11,500). There is no visa-free or eTA option for Indian citizens.

As of January 2026, the Canada visitor visa processing time for Indian applicants is 83 days. This has improved from 99 days earlier. Processing times vary and you should check the IRCC website for current estimates. Apply at least 4-5 months before your intended travel date.

The Canada visitor visa approval rate for Indians is approximately 58% for tourism applications and 78% for business visitor applications. This means about 42% of tourism visa applications are rejected. Strong documentation and ties to India are essential for approval.

A Canada visitor visa allows stays of up to 6 months per visit. The exact duration is determined by the border officer at the time of entry. If you need to stay longer, you can apply for an extension from within Canada before your authorized stay expires.

No, Canada does not require an in-person interview for visitor visa applications. The entire application process is online through the IRCC portal. You only need to visit a VFS center once for biometric enrollment (fingerprints and photo).

The total Canada visitor visa cost is CAD $185 (approximately ₹11,500): CAD $100 visa application fee + CAD $85 biometric fee. Additional VFS service charges of ₹1,750 apply. Optional services like courier return (₹500) or premium lounge (₹6,000) are extra.

No, Canada visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the decision. If your visa is refused, you do not get a refund of the CAD $185 application and biometric fees. VFS service charges are also non-refundable. Make sure your application is complete before paying.

Canada visa fees are paid online through the IRCC portal using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). The payment is made during the online application submission. VFS service charges are paid separately at the VFS center.

Required documents include: valid passport (6+ months validity), digital photograph, bank statements (6 months), ITR (3 years), employment letter with leave approval, travel itinerary, and proof of ties to India. For family visits, add invitation letter and relationship proof.

There is no official minimum, but CAD $10,000 per person (approximately ₹5-6 lakhs) is recommended for tourism. The balance should be consistent over 6 months, not recently deposited. Quality of funds (regular income vs sudden deposits) matters more than absolute amount.

An invitation letter is not mandatory for tourism, but highly recommended if visiting family or friends in Canada. It should include the host's contact details, Canadian immigration status, relationship to you, duration of stay, and undertaking to provide accommodation.

No, you should NOT book confirmed flights before visa approval. IRCC requires a travel itinerary showing your intended dates and places, but not confirmed tickets. Book only tentative/refundable reservations. Purchase actual tickets after visa approval.

Yes, Canada visa applications are primarily online through the IRCC portal. Create a GCKey account, fill the IMM 5257 form, upload documents, and pay fees online. Online applications are processed faster than paper applications.

GCKey is the Canadian government's secure login service to access IRCC online services. You create a GCKey account to submit your visa application, upload documents, pay fees, and track your application status. Keep your login credentials safe.

After submitting your online application, IRCC sends a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). Use this to book an appointment at any VFS Global center in India through their website (vfsglobal.ca/canada/india). You have 30 days from the BIL to complete biometrics.

Canada biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are valid for 10 years. If you apply for another Canadian visa within 10 years, you may not need to provide biometrics again. Children under 14 and adults over 79 are exempt from biometrics.

The Super Visa is a special long-term visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows stays of up to 5 years per visit (vs 6 months for regular visitor visa) and is valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries.

Super Visa requires: invitation from Canadian child/grandchild, proof they meet LICO income threshold, medical exam from IRCC panel physician, and medical insurance from Canadian insurer (minimum CAD $100,000 coverage, valid for 1 year). Processing takes about 132 days.

Super Visa medical insurance costs vary by age and coverage. For a 65-year-old, expect CAD $1,800-2,500 per year. For older applicants (70+), costs can be CAD $3,000-5,000. Insurance must be from a Canadian company with minimum CAD $100,000 coverage.

LICO (Low Income Cut-Off) is the minimum income your Canadian host must earn to sponsor a Super Visa. For a family of 2 (host + applicant), the 2024 LICO is CAD $36,576. For family of 4, it is CAD $54,594. Host must provide Notice of Assessment as proof.