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VISITOR PERMIT Every year, Canada welcomes nearly 50 million
people from all over the world to experience Canada's awesome natural
habitat to see, to ski, to camp, to kayak, to enjoy spectacular views of
Canada's natural landscape and its landmarks, to witness the
multi-cultural diversity of our communities that has been a trademark of
Canada and just to visit old friends and relatives.
In 2004, CIC processed over 850,000 applications for
temporary resident visas for tourists and business visitors to Canada, a
24% increase over the previous year. With this increase, volumes have
now returned to the record-high levels established in 2000, prior to the
terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001, and the SARS
epidemic in 2003.
Of these applications, 684,341 temporary visitor
visas were issued, compared to 526,517 in 2003, representing a 30%
increase. Millions of additional foreign visitors from countries whose
citizens do not require a visa to travel to Canada (such as the United
States and most European countries) also cross our borders every year.
Source: Citizenship and Immigration
Canada 2005 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration
As a visitor, it is important to know that
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has immigration requirements that
every foreign national seeking entry to Canada must comply.
Who needs a Temporary
Resident Visa?
Foreign nationals intending to temporarily reside in Canada,
whether for the purpose of studying, working or visiting, must
comply and meet the necessary requirement under the Immigration and
Refugee Protection Act and Regulation. A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
must be obtained before departure unless the following applies to you:
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Visa exemptions based on your nationality or
citizenship;
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Visa exemptions based on the type of document the
foreign national has; and
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Visa exemptions based on the purpose of entry.
What are the
requirements in obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa?
A foreign
national must satisfy the visa officer under examination, that you have
met the requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
and that you will be in Canada temporarily and that you will abide by
the conditions imposed on your stay in Canada and that you will leave
Canada by the end of the period authorized for you to stay.
The usual
requirements are as follows:
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You must be in good health and a law-abiding person, and you
must have enough money to support yourself and your dependants
during your stay;
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In most cases, you will need a valid passport, proof of identity
or other travel documents;
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You must have a temporary resident visa to travel to Canada if
you are a citizen of one of a number of countries; and
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You may need a study or work permit if you are coming to study
or work.
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Publications Planning to Visit Canada Temporary Resident Visa Study Permit FREE Assessment
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