Visitor Visas
Visitor visas are required for certain foreign nationals who wish to visit or travel through Canada. Depending on your citizenship, you may or may not require a temporary resident visa. If you do not need a visa to travel to Canada, a determination as to whether you will be allowed into Canada will be made upon your arrival to Canada at any port of entry (either at a land border or at the airport)
Of note that all the countries that do not need a visitor visa (except the USA), need to apply for an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before boarding a plane.
Eligibility Requirements
Foreign nationals who do require visas must first apply to a Canadian visa office abroad, before they travel to Canada. Applications will need to meet the following requirements:
- have a valid travel document, such as a passport.
- be in good health; a medical examination may be requested.
- satisfy a visa officer that you have ties to your country of origin, such as a job, assets / property and family and friends, which will compel you to return.
- satisfy a visa officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit.
- have sufficient funds for your stay; the amount of money you will need can vary with the circumstances of the visit, how long you will stay and whether you will stay in a hotel or with friends or relatives.
- you may also need a letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.
The visa office will provide a multiple-entry or single-entry visa, if your application is approved. You can then use this visa to travel and enter Canada.
Application Process
The application process for a Canadian visitor visa can be complex and time-consuming. To apply for a visitor visa, applicants must complete an online application form, submit supporting documents, and pay the application fee.
The supporting documents required for a visitor visa application may vary, depending on the applicant’s country of origin and individual circumstances. Generally, applicants must provide a valid passport, proof of financial stability, and evidence of ties to their home country. They may also need to undergo a medical exam and obtain health insurance.
Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by Canadian immigration officials, who will assess the applicant’s eligibility for a visitor visa. The processing time for a visitor visa application can vary, depending on the volume of applications, resources and other factors, such as the need for additional information or documentation.
If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a visitor visa, which will specify the validity of the entry visa any other conditions or restrictions. For countries that need a visitor visa, IRCC will ask for their passport and they will insert in the passport a counterfoil with the details of the visa. If the application is refused, the applicant may have the option to appeal the decision or reapply for a visa.
Navigating the application process for a Canadian visitor visa can be challenging, particularly for those unfamiliar with Canadian immigration laws and procedures. Working with qualified immigration lawyers at Bellissimo Immigration Law Group PC can help ensure that your application is complete, accurate, , increasing your chances of a successful outcome, by addressing any concerns that might be raised by a visa officer. This service goes beyond filing forms and documentary evidence. It includes the preparation of a detailed legal and factual submission that references the law, previous cases like yours, speaks to and draws from the supporting documentation, review and direction regarding all supporting documentation, where applicable checking your immigration history and addressing any concerns in particular inadmissibility checks. The work we undertake at Bellissimo Immigration Law Group PC is extensive.
Overcoming Visitor Visa Application Refusal
A refusal of your Canadian visitor visa application can be a frustrating and disappointing experience. However, it is important to remember that a visa refusal does not necessarily mean you cannot visit Canada. There are steps you can take to overcome a visa refusal and increase your chances of a successful application.
While a visa refusal can be challenging, itis important to remember that options may well be available to overcome the decision. By carefully reviewing the reasons for the refusal and working with a qualified immigration lawyer at Bellissimo Immigration Law Group PC, you can receive guidance on the best course of action and increase your chances of a successful application and ultimately achieve your travel goals.
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Our special thanks to Ms Keely Anderson and Ms Alexandra Goncharova for their efforts and due diligence in pulling together a compelling submission in support of my husband’s rehabilitation application due to criminal inadmissibility. This was a complex case, refused once because of incompleteness and lack of transparency then put on hold for 2 years due to the covid pandemic. We subsequently reapplied with BLG upon the advice that they were the best. It was a long journey and they don’t come cheap but the result speaks for itself. We were invited to meet with the Reviewing Officer in IRCC London who said the application was so well documented that no questions remained and we were granted approval then and there. It’s been a 5-year journey but the freedom one feels to be able to travel back and forth with my husband to Canada cannot be underestimated. We are now free to apply for my husband’s permanent residency for which we will always be grateful to BLG for making it possible. Thank you.
I was immigrating from the United States to Canada. Whole process went very smooth. Viola Gniadek provided me with very clear Instructions and was there any time I had a question to help me through the process. She deserves more than 5 stars! I would recommend this firm to anyone interested in immigrating.
My wife and I worked with Bellissimo Law Group on a very complex spousal sponsorship application. Our relationship started long-distance and lasted three years before we got married, without having met in person. This raised several red flags in the immigration process. From the beginning, we knew we were facing a difficult case that needed serious legal guidance. After doing thorough research, Bellissimo stood out for their experience with complicated immigration cases, and they lived up to that reputation.
Our consultant and main point of contact was Viola Gniadek. She was professional, honest, and very precise. She responded to our concerns whenever something about the case worried us and was always flexible with us in terms of availability. I remember it was during a weekend and she was still double-checking and completing our forms as we had a submission deadline on Monday. You will be lucky to have her handle your case. The firm took time to understand the complexity of our case and worked closely with us over several months to prepare over 300 pages of documentation. What I appreciated most was how careful they were with every word submitted. In immigration law, even one unnecessary detail can be used against you, and Bellissimo knew how to manage that risk with skill and strategy.
With their guidance, we submitted a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) application, even though they had warned us clearly that, due to the circumstances and the country involved, there was a high chance of refusal. But they also had a plan in place from the start to appeal it if that happened. The TRV was refused, as expected, but we followed through on the appeal. IRCC later offered us a settlement, and our application was reopened. We were given a second chance, and even without much new documentation, the TRV was approved within 15 days of reopening. That moment changed everything.
Thanks to that approval, my wife and I have been together in Canada since March 20. Her spousal sponsorship application was finalized and approved shortly after, but had we not pursued and won the TRV appeal, we would likely still be separated due to delays with passport stamping and processing. That TRV win was a turning point not just legally, but personally.
Later, we were invited for a spousal sponsorship interview, which showed that the officer remained skeptical of our case. Bellissimo helped us prepare thoroughly for the interview, which was a separate legal process with additional fees. But the preparation paid off. After seeing how our TRV refusal had been overturned and how well our case had been built, it would have been very difficult for an officer to justify a refusal at that point. It was clear to them that we were not only committed but had the legal backing to defend ourselves through every stage of the system.
One important thing I want to stress is that just because you can apply on your own does not mean you always should. I have seen people succeed without a lawyer, and I have seen many people fail and remain stuck in the system for years due to refusals or misrepresentation. Legal support is expensive, yes, but you need to consider what is truly at stake. Your future, your time, your peace of mind, and your chance to be with the person you love, these are far more valuable than saving a bit of money upfront.
Also, do not assume that a cheaper option means better value. It might cost less, but if they do not understand the complexity of your case or submit something careless, it could cost you far more in the long run. This is your life. Do not cheap out.
If your case is complicated like ours, Bellissimo Law Group is absolutely worth it. They do not make empty promises. They know exactly what they are doing. I am deeply grateful for their work and recommend them without hesitation. Thank you, Mr. Bellissimo and the entire team.
I recently had the pleasure of working with Bellissimo Law Group to resolve a misrepresentation issue on my permanent residency application, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. From the very beginning, their team was incredibly responsive and attentive, making sure I was informed and comfortable with every step of the process.
Their expertise and dedication were evident throughout my case. They meticulously reviewed all the details, provided clear and professional advice, and guided me through the complex legal landscape with ease. Their support was unwavering, and they always made themselves available to answer any questions or concerns I had.
Thanks to Bellissimo Law Group, my permanent residency application was successfully resolved, and I am now a proud resident of Canada. If you are looking for a law firm that truly cares about their clients and delivers outstanding results, look no further than Bellissimo Law Group.
I highly recommended Bellissimo Law Group for both legal and the process of application for immigration. The team handled my 2 cases brilliantly. They are very knowledgeable and the work and service are outstanding and very professionally done. Viola Gniadek, Christopher Colette and Punya Bagga handled my first case for my nephews and Michelle Boeriu on the second case for my brother. These two cases have been approved. Thank you with all my heart for the job well done. I really appreciate your valuable work and services. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the team and Belllissimo Law Group.
I scheduled a consultation with Bellissimo Immigration Law Group and was incredibly pleased with how helpful they were. Not one, but two lawyers were on the call to advise me, and they took the time to look into all possible immigration options for me and my family. I had done a lot of research prior to speaking with them, but that consultation made me realize how difficult the process would be without a law firm that keeps up with the frequent policy changes. They offered invaluable advice and I will definitely hire them to create my profile when I have everything together.
Lijing was very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions in great detail. I highly recommend Bellissimo for immigration issues!
Thank you Belissimo Law Group for helping my husband and I navigate through his PR application. It’s difficult to know who to trust, especially with matters as sensitive and complex as immigration but I am so happy that I made the choice and chose BLG. They not only have an incredible comprehension of immigration law but also a great deal of compassion and consideration for their clients. I truly enjoyed working with them and I feel grateful that there are people out there working hard to make a positive impact on someone else’s life like they did with mine. Thank you again BLG, I would recommend your services to anyone in the same or similar situations!
On a side note, for people out there who are thinking about hiring an immigration consultant, please talk to a law firm first. Some consultants charge the same or more for their services without needing to have a good comprehension of immigration laws.
I highly recommend Bellissimo Law Group for their exceptional expertise and dedication to immigration law. Their team demonstrates a deep understanding of complex legal matters and provides thorough, personalized guidance throughout the entire process. They are professional, responsive, and committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for their clients. Especially, thanks to Lijing and Shuai for assisting us on our case to achieve great outcome.
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