Canada Visitor Visa 2025: Exactly What You Can and Can’t Do

Plain-English definition. A Canada Visitor Visa is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) that lets you enter Canada for a limited period for tourism, family visits, or certain business visitor activities. It is not a work permit and it is not a study permit. Some travellers don’t need a TRV and instead travel on an eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) if they’re from visa-exempt countries; which one you need depends on your nationality and how you enter Canada (air vs. land/sea). Check your document type before you book flights; U.S. citizens don’t need a visa or eTA, and U.S. lawful permanent residents need an eTA to fly.

Single vs. multiple entry. Most TRVs issued today are multiple-entry, which simply means you can be admitted repeatedly while the visa is valid. It does not lock in how long you can stay each time; that’s decided at the border.

The default 6-month rule (and how officers change it). When you’re admitted as a visitor, the standard maximum stay is up to six months from the date you enter—unless the border officer writes a shorter (or occasionally longer) date in your passport or issues you a visitor record with a specific “must leave by” date. If there’s no stamp or note, assume six months from entry.

Super Visa is different. Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens/permanent residents can use the “Super Visa,” which allows stays of up to five years at a time (with options to extend), not just six months. A regular visitor visa does not grant this.

Tourism and family time. Sightseeing, visiting family or friends, and ordinary everyday activities (shopping, dining, domestic flights within Canada, short recreational courses like a weekend cooking class) are fine.

Attend events. You can attend weddings, funerals, cultural festivals, and religious services. You can also engage in personal transactions like opening a mobile phone plan or renting short-term accommodation if a provider offers it to visitors. None of this changes your immigration status.

Permitted, work-permit-exempt business activities. You may enter as a business visitor to: attend meetings and conferences; negotiate contracts; buy Canadian goods or services for a foreign entity; receive training from a Canadian parent/subsidiary; or provide certain after-sales service under a warranty or sales contract (diagnostics, set-up, or training), provided you aren’t entering the Canadian labour market. U.S. and Mexican nationals have a few additional “CUSMA business visitor” categories when no hands-on productive work is performed in Canada. If what you’ll do looks like doing the job a Canadian worker would be paid to do, it’s not business visitor activity.

Short courses are okay; longer programs are not. You can study in Canada without a study permit only if your course or program lasts six months or less and you’ll finish it within the time you’re authorized to stay as a visitor. Anything longer—or part of a longer program—requires a study permit. If you intend to transition into formal studies, understand that in 2025 most student applicants must include a provincial/territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) with their study permit application.

No “study-by-extension” trick. You can’t keep enrolling in back-to-back short courses to avoid a study permit. If the real purpose becomes study beyond the short exemption, expect refusal at the extension stage.

“Work” is broader than you think. Under IRCC’s definition, work includes any activity for which you’re paid, and even unpaid activity that would usually be paid or that provides competitive work experience for a Canadian. That means unpaid “volunteering” that replaces a paid role, or helping at a friend’s business, counts as work. Visitors aren’t authorized for this.

Remote work from Canada? If you’re physically in Canada, paid activity may meet the definition of work regardless of where your employer or clients are. Unless you hold a work authorization, don’t assume remote work is fine.

The COVID-era shortcut ended. A temporary policy (2020–2024) that let visitors apply for employer-specific work permits from inside Canada is over. In 2025, a visitor generally cannot apply for a work permit from inside Canada unless they fall into one of IRCC’s specific “in-Canada eligibility” categories. If you secure a job, you normally apply for your work permit from outside Canada or change status after leaving.

Buy travel medical insurance. Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. A broken arm can cost thousands out of pocket. Purchase private coverage for the full stay (and keep proof).

When a medical exam can be required. Most short visits don’t involve an Immigration Medical Exam (IME). However, visitors may need an IME if they plan to stay more than six months and have lived in certain countries, or if they’ll work in public-health-sensitive fields (like healthcare or childcare) that require an exam before authorization.

Biometrics (fingerprints/photo). Unless exempt, TRV applicants must give biometrics once every 10 years; if you gave them within the last decade, they’re typically re-used for new temporary resident applications. A visa can’t be issued beyond the biometrics validity date.

Visitor record, not a new visa. If you need more time in Canada, you apply to extend your stay and IRCC may issue a “visitor record.” Apply at least 30 days before your current status expires. If you apply on time and remain in Canada, you can legally stay until IRCC decides—this is called “maintained status.” Note: this extends status, not your visa sticker, and it doesn’t let you re-enter if you leave.

If you accidentally overstay. If it’s been fewer than 90 days since your status expired, you may apply to restore your visitor status (additional fees and no guarantee). After 90 days, you generally must leave and apply fresh. Overstays complicate future applications.

Multiple entries ≠ unlimited time. A multiple-entry TRV lets you fly back and forth while it’s valid, but each entry is a separate admission with its own authorized stay. Doing frequent “visa runs” to reset the clock can raise flags about whether you’re genuinely a temporary visitor. The officer can shorten stays or deny entry if they’re not satisfied with your intent.

Travelling with children. Minors must meet the same entry rules as adults. If a child travels without both parents/guardians, bring consent letters and custody documentation—the border may ask for them.

School for kids on a visitor stay. Minor children typically need a study permit to attend school unless they meet specific exemptions (for example, they’re in Canada with a parent authorized to work or study). If you’re visiting and plan for your child to attend school, plan for a proper study permit.

Can I take a 12-week language or cooking course? Yes, if it’s six months or less and you’ll finish before your authorized stay ends; no work allowed. If you later enroll full-time, get a study permit first.

Can I help my cousin run their café for free? No. That’s “work” even if unpaid, because it replaces a paid role.

Can I attend a trade show and pitch customers? Yes, as a business visitor, provided you’re not doing hands-on work for a Canadian employer and you’re paid by a foreign entity. After-sales service can be allowed in narrow cases tied to a sales contract.

Can I apply for a Canadian work permit after I arrive as a visitor? In most cases, not from inside Canada in 2025. That pandemic-era exception ended in August 2024. Secure the right work authorization first, then travel.

Can I stay longer than six months if I’m still sightseeing? Maybe. Apply online for a visitor record before your current status expires, and you’ll have maintained status while IRCC decides.

Bring proof of temporary intent. Officers look for evidence that you’ll leave on time. Solid items include: return/onward ticket, proof of funds, employer leave letter (if employed), ties to home country (family, lease/mortgage), travel medical insurance, and a clear itinerary. If visiting family, a detailed invitation letter helps—even though it’s not a requirement.

Be consistent with your story. If you say you’re visiting for three weeks but have no return ticket and your bags scream “moving,” expect questions. If you have any plan involving study or work, get the right permit in advance.

• Allowed: tourism and family visits; business visitor activities that don’t enter the Canadian labour market; short courses up to six months completed within your authorized stay.
• Not allowed: any paid work or unpaid work that replaces a paid role; enrolling in long programs without a study permit; staying beyond your authorized period without applying to extend/restore.
• Good to know: buy health insurance; biometrics are generally valid 10 years; the “visitor-to-work-permit from inside Canada” policy is over.