canada visa for indians

Mandatory Document Checklist

The application is 100% online via the IRCC portal. Physical documents are only required for biometric enrollment and final passport stamping.

• Passport: Valid for at least 6 months. Include clear color scans of all pages with stamps or previous visas.

• Forms: IMM 5257 (Visitor Visa) and IMM 5645 (Family Information) are the core requirements.

• Photographs: Digital copies meeting IRCC specs (35mm x 45mm, white background, 80% face coverage).

• Financial Proof (Critical):

  • Bank Statements: Last 6 months (original stamped) showing a consistent balance. For a single traveler, ₹3.5–5 Lakhs is the recommended minimum.

  • ITR: Last 3 years’ Income Tax Returns.

  • Additional Assets: Fixed Deposits, Mutual Funds, or Property Valuation reports to show strong financial standing.

• Employment/Ties to Home:

  • Salaried: Leave sanction letter (NOC) on company letterhead and last 3 months’ salary slips.

  • Self-Employed: Business registration (GST/COI) and 6 months’ company bank statements.

• Travel Plan: A “Statement of Purpose” (SOP) explaining why you are visiting, a day-wise itinerary, and hotel/flight reservations (do not book non-refundable tickets).

Important Information for Canada

• Processing Times (2026 Update): In a major boost, visitor visa processing for Indians has dropped to an average of 83 days (from 99 days in 2025). Some “low-risk” files are cleared even faster via AI-assisted triage.

• Mandatory Biometrics: Unless you have provided biometrics to Canada in the last 10 years, you must visit a VFS Global center for fingerprints and a photo.

• The “Ties to India” Rule: This is the #1 reason for refusal. You must convince the officer that you have enough reasons (job, family, property) to return. Vague travel plans often lead to “purpose of visit” rejections.

• Sticker-less Option: While most still get a physical sticker, Canada is trialing an e-Visa system for frequent travelers with valid US visas to further speed up the process.

Do Indians need a visa for Canada?

Yes, Indian citizens must have a valid visa to visit Canada. They can apply for a Canada visitor visa for short-term tourism, leisure or social visits, allowing them to stay for up to 6 months.   

How long does it take to process the Canadian tourist visa?

The visa processing time for a Canada visa generally takes 5-6 weeks. However, this time frame varies depending on multiple factors and can be extended. Some factors that affect the processing time include:

• Number of applications.

• The complexity of your application.

• Public holidays.

• Previous criminal records or visa violations.

What is the current cost of a Canada Tourist Visa for Indians?

The application fee is CAD 100 (~₹6,500), and the biometrics fee is CAD 85 (~₹5,500). If your biometrics are still valid from a previous application, you only pay the CAD 100 fee.

Can I apply for a 10-year Multiple Entry Visa?

Most successful applicants are automatically granted a multiple-entry visa valid until their passport expires (up to 10 years). Always ensure your passport has long-term validity before applying.

Is travel insurance mandatory for a visitor visa?

While not strictly mandatory for a standard Visitor Visa (unlike the Super Visa for parents), the Visa Lounge strongly recommends a policy with USD 50,000 coverage due to the high cost of Canadian healthcare.

Can I perform a “Visa Run” to the USA?

If you hold a valid US visa, you can travel between Canada and the US. However, each entry into Canada is at the discretion of the border officer, who usually grants a stay of up to 6 months.

 What should I do if my visa is rejected?

You can apply for GCMS Notes to see the officer’s internal remarks. Once you address the specific concerns (e.g., more financial proof or a better leave letter), you can re-apply immediately.

 Is a medical exam required for a tourist visa?

Generally, no, unless you plan to stay for more than 6 months or work in a field where public health is a concern. The IRCC will notify you if a medical is needed.

Can I track my application status online?

Yes, once you submit your application on the IRCC portal, you can track every stage from “Biometrics Received” to “Final Decision” in real-time.

For official Canada Visa guidelines, visit the https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/can/