How long can Indians stay in Canada as a visitor?

Up to 6 months under the Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa). Paid work is not allowed on a visitor stay.

Can Indians work in Canada on a visitor stay?

No. Visitor entry covers tourism, family visits, business meetings and conferences only. To take a job, study or settle, Indians need one of the longer-stay routes compared in our Canada visa guide for Indians.

🇨🇦 Canada tourist visa for Indians 2026

Tourism, visiting family and friends, conferences and business trips. Facts verified against Canada's official pages; see the source at the end.

Yes. Indians need a visa before a short visit to Canada. Indian citizens need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for every trip to Canada, whether for tourism, visiting family, business meetings or a conference; India has no eTA option.

Quick facts

Visa: Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa)
Maximum stay: up to 6 months
Government fee: about $133
Processing time: 3–8 weeks
Paid work: Not allowed
Business or conference: Covered

Where Indians apply

You apply online through your IRCC secure account, pay CAN$100 plus CAN$85 for biometrics (about USD 133 in total), then give fingerprints and a photo at a VFS Global visa application centre within 30 days of the biometrics instruction letter.

Fee and processing time

IRCC publishes a country-specific estimate based on the time 80% of recent applicants waited; for India this ran roughly 3 to 5 weeks in mid-2026 but it moves month to month, so check the live tool before booking flights.

That is about $133 in US dollars at the time of verification; the official fee is set in local currency.

Travelling for business or a conference?

Invitation from the Canadian host or organiser, employer letter, and the IRCC event code if the event is registered.

Documents and steps

Check your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond travelPassport valid 6+ months past travel; scan the bio page and every stamped page in colour.
Create an IRCC secure account and start the online TRV applicationOnline only via the IRCC secure account; the questionnaire generates your personal document checklist.
Prepare a digital photo to IRCC specificationRecent photo, plain white background, 35x45 mm proportions, at least 420x540 px.
Gather proof of funds and employment tiesSix months of bank statements plus an employer letter dated within the last 3 months.
Set out your itinerary, accommodation and reason to returnDay-by-day plan, hotel or host address, and evidence of ties to India such as job, family or property.
If travelling for business or a conference: add the invitation letterInvitation from the Canadian host or organiser, employer letter, and the IRCC event code if the event is registered.
Pay CAN$100 visa fee and CAN$85 biometrics feeCAN$100 visa plus CAN$85 biometrics, paid by card when you submit; biometrics are reused for 10 years.
Give biometrics at a VFS Global centre within 30 days of the letterBook VFS fast: 30 days from the instruction letter to give fingerprints and photo; valid 10 years.
Submit your passport when IRCC requests it and collect the visaPassport goes to VFS only after approval; the visa expiry is your last arrival date, not your stay limit.
At the border, confirm your authorised stay and carry proof of fundsUp to 6 months from entry unless the officer writes a shorter date; extend with a visitor record before it lapses.

The full checklist with timing, dependencies and personalised due dates is part of the paid plan. Start with the free quiz and pick “Visit” as your purpose.

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Frequently asked questions

Do Indians need a visa for Canada?: Yes. Indians need a visa before a short visit to Canada. Indian citizens need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for every trip to Canada, whether for tourism, visiting family, business meetings or a conference; India has no eTA option.
How long can Indians stay in Canada as a visitor?: Up to 6 months under the Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa). Paid work is not allowed on a visitor stay.
How much does the Canada Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) cost for Indians?: You apply online through your IRCC secure account, pay CAN$100 plus CAN$85 for biometrics (about USD 133 in total), then give fingerprints and a photo at a VFS Global visa application centre within 30 days of the biometrics instruction letter.
How long does the Canada Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) take for Indians?: IRCC publishes a country-specific estimate based on the time 80% of recent applicants waited; for India this ran roughly 3 to 5 weeks in mid-2026 but it moves month to month, so check the live tool before booking flights.
Can Indians attend a conference or business meeting in Canada on this visa?: Invitation from the Canadian host or organiser, employer letter, and the IRCC event code if the event is registered.
Can Indians work in Canada on a visitor stay?: No. Visitor entry covers tourism, family visits, business meetings and conferences only. To take a job, study or settle, Indians need one of the longer-stay routes compared in our Canada visa guide for Indians.

Thinking of staying longer?

A visitor stay never allows paid work. Indians who want to work, study or settle in Canada have 2 main routes, compared in the Canada visa guide for Indians.

Canada for Indians, in depth

Visiting other countries as Indians

Visiting Canada from elsewhere

Always confirm entry rules with the official government source. Fees and stay limits change; this guide is general information, not legal advice.