Canada Visitor Visa Guide for Indian Travelers: Essential Information for 2026
For Indian passport holders planning a tourist trip to Canada, navigating visa requirements can be confusing. This comprehensive guide provides updated information about visitor visa processing times, costs, validity periods, and essential requirements to help streamline your travel planning process.
Current Processing Time for Indian Applicants
According to the latest update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), visitor visa applications submitted from India currently take approximately 83 days to process. This information was last updated on January 28, 2026, with data refreshed weekly to reflect recent processing trends.
It's crucial to understand that this timeline represents how long it took IRCC to process most complete applications recently, but it does not guarantee or establish a maximum limit. Individual applications may be processed faster or slower depending on specific circumstances and case complexity.
What the Processing Timeline Includes and Excludes
IRCC calculates processing time from the day they receive a complete application until a final decision is made. However, several factors are not included in this timeline:
- Time required for document transfer between Visa Application Centres (VACs) and visa offices
- Time taken by applicants to book and provide biometric information
- Delays caused by incomplete applications or missing documents
Applications missing documents or information may face significant delays or even be returned, which can substantially extend the overall processing period beyond the standard timeline.
Who Needs a Visitor Visa for Canada?
Indian passport holders require a visitor visa to travel to Canada as tourists. Travelers must have the correct entry document based on their nationality and travel circumstances, which could be:
- A visitor visa (required for Indian passport holders)
- An electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- In some cases, just a valid passport may be sufficient
Visitor Visa Validity, Cost, and Length of Stay
The Canadian visitor visa costs CAN $100 according to official information. It can be issued as either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, with validity extending up to a maximum of 10 years, depending on the applicant's passport validity and immigration history.
Each visit to Canada typically allows a stay of up to six months, unless a border services officer specifies a different duration at the port of entry. Applicants must hold a valid passport or travel document covering their entire intended stay period in Canada.
The visitor visa is required when boarding flights to Canada and at Canadian ports of entry, but not for domestic flights within Canada or when leaving the country.
Possible Reasons for Inadmissibility
Not all applicants are automatically eligible to enter Canada. An applicant may be found inadmissible for various reasons including:
- Past criminal convictions, including impaired driving offenses
- Security concerns identified during background checks
- Certain medical conditions that may pose public health risks
All applications are thoroughly assessed under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and related regulations to ensure compliance with Canadian immigration policies.
Planning Ahead for a Smooth Travel Experience
Given the current 83-day processing time for Indian applicants, planning well in advance of your intended travel date is highly recommended. High application volumes and complicated cases can cause additional processing delays, making early preparation essential for a hassle-free travel experience.
Ensure all documents are complete and accurate before submission, and consider potential delays when booking flights and accommodations. Proper planning and attention to detail can significantly improve your chances of a smooth visa application process and enjoyable Canadian travel experience.
