Riddhi Mevada
Oct 30, 2026
Canada Visitor Visa from India 2026: Fees, Documents, Processing Time and Refusal Reasons
How do Indian citizens apply for a Canada visitor visa in 2026?
Indian citizens apply online through the IRCC portal for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). The government fee is CAD 100 per person plus CAD 85 for biometrics. After paying, you give fingerprints and a photo at a Visa Application Centre. Processing time changes weekly, so check IRCC's official tool before you apply.
Canada is one of the most searched destinations for Indian families, business travellers and students' relatives. It is also a country where officers look closely at your purpose of travel and your reasons to return home. This guide explains the process, costs and documents in plain steps, and shows what usually causes refusals.
Do I need a visitor visa or an eTA?
Most Indian passport holders need a full visitor visa. An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a lighter option for air travel only, and Indian citizens qualify only if they held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa. If you arrive by land or sea, you need the visitor visa in every case.
| Feature | Visitor visa (TRV) | eTA | Super visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Tourism, family visits, short business trips | Eligible air travellers only | Parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen or PR |
| Government fee | CAD 100 | CAD 7 | CAD 100 |
| Biometrics | CAD 85 (if required) | Not required | CAD 85 (if required) |
| Format | Visa placed in passport | Linked electronically to passport | Multiple-entry visa |
| Validity | Up to 10 years or until the passport expires | Up to 5 years or until the passport expires | Up to 10 years |
How much does a Canada visitor visa cost in 2026?
Fees are set by IRCC and are paid by card during the online application.
| Fee | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa, per person | 100 |
| Visitor visa, family of 5 or more applying together | 500 maximum |
| Biometrics, per person | 85 |
| Biometrics, family of 2 or more applying together | 170 maximum |
| Extending your stay as a visitor, per person | 100 |
Biometrics stay valid for 10 years, so a repeat applicant within that period usually does not pay the biometrics fee again. Travel agent or consultancy service charges are separate from these government fees.
What documents are required for a Canada visitor visa from India?
IRCC does not publish one fixed list for every person, because the officer looks at your whole profile. These are the documents applicants are normally expected to provide, depending on their situation.
| Document | Salaried | Business owner / self-employed | Student | Homemaker / retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport and old passports with visas | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Digital photo to IRCC specifications | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bank statements (recent months) | Yes | Yes | Parents' statements | Own or spouse's statements |
| Employment letter and leave approval | Yes | No | No | No |
| Income tax returns and salary slips | Yes | ITRs | Sponsor's ITRs | Spouse's ITRs or pension proof |
| Business registration and GST proof | No | Yes | No | No |
| Bonafide certificate from school or college | No | No | Yes | No |
| Travel itinerary and accommodation plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Invitation letter and host's status proof (if visiting family) | If applicable | If applicable | If applicable | If applicable |
| Proof of property, family ties and responsibilities | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
Upload clear scans, keep names and dates consistent across documents, and add a short letter of explanation if your profile has gaps such as a recent job change or an unusual travel history.
What are the steps to apply for a Canada visitor visa?
- Check eligibility. Confirm whether you need a visitor visa or qualify for an eTA.
- Create an IRCC account and complete the online visitor visa application.
- Upload your documents as clear digital copies.
- Pay the fees by credit or debit card.
- Receive your Biometric Instruction Letter and book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre. In India these centres are run by VFS Global.
- Give fingerprints and a photo at your appointment.
- Wait for the decision and track the status in your IRCC account. If approved, you send your passport for visa stamping when asked.
How long does a Canada visitor visa take from India in 2026?
IRCC's estimate for visitor visas from India has moved a lot in 2026. Reports based on IRCC data showed about 83 days in January, about 57 days in March, and around three weeks by mid-year. The estimate is updated weekly, so check IRCC's processing-times tool on the day you apply.
The clock starts only when IRCC receives a complete application, so missing documents or unpaid fees delay the start. Waiting for a biometrics appointment adds extra time on top of the visa processing estimate. IRCC's own service standard for applications made outside Canada is shorter than the real-world estimate for India, so plan your travel dates with a comfortable buffer.
Why are Canada visitor visas refused for Indian applicants?
IRCC refusal letters generally say the officer was not satisfied you will leave Canada at the end of your stay. These are the issues that most often sit behind that sentence.
- Unclear purpose of visit. The itinerary is vague, or it does not match your profile.
- Insufficient funds. Bank balances are low compared with the trip cost, or large recent deposits are unexplained.
- Weak ties to India. There is no clear job, business, family responsibility or property to return to.
- Limited travel history. First-time international applicants face closer scrutiny, particularly for long stays.
- Inconsistent or incomplete documents. Dates, employer names or income figures differ between documents.
- Doubts about the host. For family visits, the invitation letter or the host's status proof is missing or weak.
- Previous refusals or overstays that are not explained in the new application.
Can I reapply after a refusal?
Yes, there is no waiting period. Read the refusal letter, fix the specific weaknesses, and add evidence that answers them before you reapply. Submitting the same file again rarely changes the outcome.
How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?
Visitors are usually allowed to stay up to six months. The border officer decides the exact length on arrival, so carry your return ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds. If you want to stay longer, apply to extend your status before your authorised stay ends. The extension fee is CAD 100 per person.
What is the Canada super visa for parents and grandparents?
The super visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. It uses the same CAD 100 visa fee, but needs extra proof:
- An invitation letter from the child or grandchild in Canada.
- Proof that the host meets the minimum income threshold for their family size.
- Private Canadian medical insurance of at least CAD 100,000, valid for at least one year.
Super visa processing times for India have historically been much longer than regular visitor visas, so apply early.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Canada visitor visa cost for Indian citizens in 2026?
The IRCC fee is CAD 100 per person (maximum CAD 500 for a family of five or more). Most first-time applicants also pay CAD 85 for biometrics (maximum CAD 170 per family), so budget about CAD 185 per adult.
How long does a Canada visitor visa take from India?
The IRCC estimate for India fell from about 83 days in January 2026 to roughly three weeks by mid-year. It changes weekly, so check IRCC's official processing-times tool before you apply.
Can Indian citizens get a Canada eTA instead of a visitor visa?
Most Indian citizens need a visitor visa. An eTA is available only to those who held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, and only for air travel.
Do I need to give biometrics for a Canada visitor visa?
Most applicants aged 14 to 79 give fingerprints and a photo at a Visa Application Centre after paying and receiving a Biometric Instruction Letter. Biometrics stay valid for 10 years.
How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?
Usually up to six months. The border officer sets the exact period on arrival.
Why are Canada visitor visas refused for Indian applicants?
Common reasons are a weak purpose of travel, insufficient funds, limited travel history, weak ties to India, and incomplete or inconsistent documents.
What is a Canada super visa and who can apply?
It is a multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. It needs an invitation letter, proof of the host's income, and Canadian medical insurance of at least CAD 100,000 valid for one year.
Can I reapply after a Canada visitor visa refusal?
Yes, with no waiting period. Reapply only after you have fixed the reasons stated in the refusal letter.
Planning other trips? Read our tourist visa guides
- USA Tourist Visa (B1/B2) 2026
- Germany Tourist Visa 2026
- Australia Tourist Visa (Subclass 600) 2026
- Canada visa services at Volumaax
Need help with your Canada visitor visa file?
Volumaax reviews your documents, checks your profile against IRCC requirements and helps you avoid the mistakes that lead to refusals. Our team supports applicants from Ahmedabad and across Gujarat.
Book a free consultationDisclaimer: This article is for general information and is not legal or immigration advice. Fees, processing times and eligibility rules are set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and can change without notice. Always confirm current details on the official IRCC website (canada.ca) before you apply. Volumaax is not a government body, and no consultancy can guarantee a visa decision.
