Are you visiting Canada anytime soon? Checkout our list of Top destinations to visit in Canada on tourist visa. Canada is an incredible country for immigrants and visitors. It is a home to some of world’s most beautiful natural places and attractions. At one end Canada’s natural landscape mesmerize the visitors and tourists, on the other end, its vibrant and full of life cities fascinate the travelers coming to the maple leaf country every ear.
However, Canada is a diverse country with cities of every size, each with their own unique attractions. With summer here, it’s time to think about the best vacation spots that Canada has to offer. Therefore, if you are planning a holiday in Canada, here are few top tourist destinations you must not forget to visit.
In this article
- What is Tourist Visa?
- What are the Canada Tourist Visa eligibility criteria?
- How to Apply for the Canadian Visitor Visa?
- What is the Canada Tourist Visa Processing time?
- Things you are Allowed to do With a Canada Tourist Visa?
- Top Destinations To Visit In Canada On Tourist Visa
- #1. Montreal, Quebec
- #2. Toronto, Ontario
- #3. Calgary, Alberta
- #4. Vancouver, British Columbia
- #5. Banff, Alberta
- #6. Quebec City, Quebec
- #7. Niagara Falls, Ontario
- #8. Saanich, British Columbia
- #9. Winnipeg, Manitoba
- #10. Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
- #11. Whistler
- How long is the Canada Tourist Visa valid?
- Canada Visitor Visa Extension
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tourist Visa?
The Canada Tourist Visa is a Temporary Resident Visa for Canada which allows the holder to go to Canada for purposes such as:
- Tourism or holidays in Canada.
- Visiting family.
The Canada Tourist Visa allows you to go to a Canadian port of entry and ask for permission to enter the country. The Border Patrol Officers are the ones who are allowed to grant or deny you entry based on your documents and your situation.
If you have been issued a visa Visitor visa to Canada and the officers find that you do not have any criminal intentions, you will be allowed to pass the port of entry and begin your holiday or family visit in Canada.
What are the Canada Tourist Visa eligibility criteria?
To be eligible for a Canada Tourist Visa, the applicant must fulfill some criteria. These requirements determine whether someone is allowed to apply for the visa and hold it.These requirements include:
- Standard requirements for Canada visa.
- Canada Tourist Visa Application Form.
- Your bank or other financial statements to prove you have enough funds for the trip to Canada.
- A travel itinerary if you have already booked your air tickets, or just a description of what you plan to do once in Canada.
- A Canada visa letter of invitation from your family or friends if you are visiting them.
- Proof of the relationship if you are visiting your family.
- The immigration statuses of your family or friends if you are visiting them.
- Bank statements or other financial statements of your friends or family if you are visiting them.
- A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a Tourist visa.
- Two photos that meet the Canada Photo Requirements.
- Your employment or education status through a resume or diplomas, as well as a letter from your employer stating that you have contractual obligations to fulfill and you must return to your home country.
- Proof that your stay in Canada is temporary and that you will return to your home country once your visit is over, such as a lease, property deed, and so on.
- Proof that you do not plan to work or study in Canada.
- Court documents that prove you have a clean criminal history.
All the documents that you have that are in another language other than English or French should be translated.
How to Apply for the Canadian Visitor Visa?
To start the application for the Canada tourist visa, there are several forms and steps that you as the applicant must go through. The steps for applying for a Canada tourist visa are explained below:
- First, confirm your eligibility for the Canada visitor visa.
- Secondly, complete the documents required for a Canada tourist visa.
- Next, submit the Canada Tourist Visa Application form.
- Wait for processing and respond to additional requests for information.
- Lastly, send your passport for stamping.
What is the Canada Tourist Visa Processing time?
Typically, the Canada tourist visa processing time ranges from 8 to 40 days. However, the processing time is different depending on the country you live in. So, you will have to wait around 1 month for your Visitor Visa to be processed.
Things you are Allowed to do With a Canada Tourist Visa?
With the Canadian Tourist visa, you are allowed to travel around Canada for less than 6 months as long as you are in good financial standing. In addition, you are not allowed to get Canadian documents or stay in the country permanently. You are also not allowed to work or study, and you will not be allowed to file for health care or other governmental benefits.
Top Destinations To Visit In Canada On Tourist Visa
Canada is one of the best tourist attractions on the other side of the Atlantic. Whether one goes during the spring-summer and enjoys a budget trip or they choose to have a lavish vacation in fall-winter, Canada tourist places never disappoint anybody. So, here are our bucket list of top destinations to visit in Canada on tourist visa;
#1. Montreal, Quebec
Undoubtedly, It’s hard to compete with summers in Montreal. From the world-renowned Jazz Festival to Just for Laughs, or from Grand Prix weekend to Osheaga. The city truly has something for every taste.
The Old Port is a popular tourist spot perfect for sightseeing and pedestrian excursions, while Parc Jean-Drapeau provides everything from outdoor recreation, nature trails, and sporting events to amusement park rides, electronic dance parties, and much more. Rich in culture, cuisine, art, entertainment, fashion, style, and character, Montreal offers an endless variety of experiences for visitors.
#2. Toronto, Ontario
Right now is a good time for Canada’s most populous city. A major cultural center and a top destination to visit in Canada on tourist visa. This month, the World Pride festivities come to North America for the first time in Toronto, making it the venue for one of the biggest summer celebrations in the country.
And Toronto’s momentum won’t end there: 2015 will see the arrival of the Pan Am Games, and the completion of the new 5.45-hectare CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium.
#3. Calgary, Alberta
With its thriving and diversified economy and multicultural population, Calgary has grown into a major city and a booming tourist destination. The famous Calgary Stampede has helped develop Calgary’s unique character, drawing over a million visitors per year for its ten days of events every July, including one of the biggest rodeos in the world.
On the cultural scene, the Sled Island Music and Arts Festival has been celebrating local and international talent every summer for growing audiences since its beginnings in 2007. Expect the city to keep upping its game in the years to come.
#4. Vancouver, British Columbia
One of the most culturally diverse cities in the nation, coastal Vancouver offers a mix of urban excitement and natural beauty. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and densely forested, the thousand-acre Stanley Park borders the downtown area and provides a nearby escape from city life into lush greenery, complete with forest trails, beaches, and lakes.
Mountain hiking trails, harbor cruises, and horse-drawn carriage tours give sightseers memorable views of everything the landscape has to offer, while downtown Vancouver scores high for its dining, nightlife, and shopping experiences.
#5. Banff, Alberta
Nestled among the Rockies, the resort town of Banff is located in one of the most visited national parks in North America and worldwide. The gorgeous mountain scenery, hot springs, and hiking trails are picture-perfect for an outdoor getaway. Just outside of the town is the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, with its eye-popping mountain views and warm mineral springs.
So, whether your recreational pursuits include camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, swimming, or more, Banff provides an ideal backdrop for your summer adventures. No doubt Banff is one of the top destinations to visit in Canada on tourist visa.
#6. Quebec City, Quebec
With Old World charm in its cobblestone streets and historical architecture, Quebec City enchants over 4.5 million tourists annually. Arguably, the city is among the top destinations to visit in Canada on tourist visa. Rich in history and culture, the capital city of La Belle Province offers more than just sightseeing.
However, Food-lovers will find much to savor at the many eateries, bakeries, and pastry shops. If you visit in August, be sure to check out the New France Festival, a celebration of Quebec’s colonial history, complete with period costuming, re-enactments, parades, concerts, and other activities.
#7. Niagara Falls, Ontario
The great Niagara Falls don’t need any introduction. It is probably the best natural wonders in the world. Every year millions of people arrive in Canada to experience the thrill and excitement of being at magnificent Niagara Falls. Its a huge fall (close to 60 meters) located close to Toronto, Canada.
Therefore, if you are coming to Canada with family and kids, you are going to enjoy having a closer look at this incredibly massive and gorgeous Water Fall of Canada. So, come and be part of Niagara Fest this summer.
#8. Saanich, British Columbia
Only 7 km away from Victoria, Saanich is home to the Northeastern half of the University of Victoria campus, giving it all the vitality of a university town. Mild weather and great scenic beauty add to its appeal, with woodlands and farms surrounding the area, and camera-ready mountain top views overlooking the city.
Thus, the ecologically diverse landscape has tremendous recreational potential, with the highest number of parks per capital of any municipality in the province. The largest is Mount Douglas Park, with its majestic firs and cedars, lush trails, sandy shores along Cordova Bay, and the glorious 213-metre summit with its magnificent views of Saanich, nearby Victoria, and the mountains of Washington State. Don’t forget to pack your camera.
#9. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg boasts a flourishing arts scene, complete with high-quality music, theater, and ballet, along with a host of festivals during the hot summer months. Bring your appetite, because Winnipeg’s dining options are surprisingly varied for a city of its size, with a new generation of young chefs catering to diverse taste buds and serving up a multitude of cuisines.
However, be sure to check out the Forks, where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet, as well as the restaurants and shops of the historic Exchange District.
#10. Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
With beaches, dunes, and sandstone cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Cavendish, P.E.I is one of the most scenic places in Canada and a top destinations to visit on tourist visa. In fact, Cavendish is Prince Edward Island’s largest seasonal resort area, with cottages, golf courses, parks, and campgrounds for nature-lovers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
For those interested in visiting the top tourist destinations in Canada, the Green Gables Heritage Place attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to see the settings that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved Anne of Green Gables.
#11. Whistler
Whistler is a perfect place to enjoy the winter sports. It’s a popular place for ski resort, situated close to Vancouver in Canada. It’s a lively place where you can enjoy the skiing, mountain biking, golf and various other recreational activities.
How long is the Canada Tourist Visa valid?
The Canadian Consulate usually decides for how long to give you the Tourist Visa for Canada on a case by case basis. There are cases when they only give the visa for that time frame that you want to visit Canada, and then there are also cases when they give you the visa until your passport expires. This all depends on whether they believe you will return to your home country or not.
Despite how long your Canada Tourist Visa is valid, you are not allowed to stay there for more than 6 months at a time. So, after 6 months you must return to your home country, stay for some time and then you can return to Canada again for 6 months.
Canada Visitor Visa Extension
Perhap, you change your mind and want to stay longer than 6 months in Canada with a tourist visa, you will need a visitor visa extension. This extension is called a Visitor Record.
Subsequently, you may need to apply for a visa extension for Canada (visitor record) at least 30 days before your visitor visa expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can i stay in Canada on a tourist visa?
Typically, most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. if you’re allowed to enter Canada, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If so, they’ll put the date you need to leave by in your passport.
How can i apply for a tourist visa in Canada?
Generally, there are three major steps to successfully applying for Canada Visitor Visa. These steps include:
- Firstly, Check if you’re eligible to travel to Canada
- Secondly, gather all your supporting document
- Lastly, apply Online ( Which you can find on IRCC website)
Can I bring my dependents to Canada with a Tourist Visa?
Your dependents, such as your spouse and minor children can come to Canada with you with a Tourist Visa. However, they must have their own application, and everyone should pay separate fees. You must submit the applications together at the Visa Application Center or online so that you are processed as a family.
Conclusion
in conclusion, we hope this article on top destinations to visit In Canada on tourist visa will be of help to you when you plan to visit Canada.
