Quick answer
Indians need a visitor visa (TRV) for Canada, applied for online, with biometrics given at a VFS Global centre in India. Fees are CAD 100 plus CAD 85 for biometrics, about ₹11,700. Processing for India ran roughly two to four months in 2026. Indians cannot use the eTA, even with a US visa, so apply three to four months before travel.
At a glance
- Visa type
- Visitor visa (temporary resident visa, TRV)
- Stay allowed
- Usually up to 6 months per entry, as set by the border officer
- Fee
- CAD 100 (about ₹6,300) visa fee plus CAD 85 (about ₹5,400) biometrics; family caps of CAD 500 and CAD 170; VFS service charge extra
- Processing
- Roughly 2–4 months for applications from India in 2026; check IRCC's processing-time tool
- Validity
- Up to 10 years or passport expiry, usually multiple entry, at the officer's discretion
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Passport valid well beyond your trip, plus old passports with travel history
- Online IRCC application forms, including the family information form, and a digital photo
- Biometrics instruction letter and VFS appointment confirmation
- Letter of explanation: purpose, dates, who pays and why you will return
- Bank statements for the last 4–6 months, plus fixed deposits or other savings
- ITR acknowledgements for the last 2–3 years
- Employer letter with approved leave and salary slips, or business registration and GST returns
- Copies of US, UK, Schengen or Australia visas and entry stamps
- Family visits: invitation letter with the host's status proof (passport or PR card) and address
- Day-by-day itinerary and accommodation details
- Proof of ties: property, dependants, ongoing studies or business in India
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- Thin travel history with no explanation of purpose; first-time travellers need a very clear plan and strong ties.
- Funds that appear suddenly or don't match your declared income.
- A vague purpose combined with close relatives in Canada, which makes officers worry about overstaying.
- Reapplying immediately with the same documents after a refusal instead of fixing the stated reasons.
- Missing the window to give biometrics after the instruction letter arrives.
What does a Canada visitor visa cost?
The temporary resident visa (TRV) fee is CAD 100 (about ₹6,300) per person, plus CAD 85 (about ₹5,400) for biometrics, so about ₹11,700 in all. A family applying together at the same time pays at most CAD 500 in visa fees and CAD 170 for biometrics. VFS Global adds its own service charge.
Indian passport holders are not eligible for Canada's eTA, even with a valid US visa. You need a full visitor visa.
How does the process work?
- Apply online through your IRCC account and upload documents.
- Pay the visa and biometrics fees.
- You receive a biometrics instruction letter. Give fingerprints and a photo at a VFS Global Canada visa application centre in India, generally within 30 days.
- Send your passport for the visa stamp only when IRCC asks for it.
Biometrics stay valid for ten years, so repeat applicants within that period usually skip step 3.
How long does it take?
Processing for applications from India ran at roughly two to four months through 2026; one February 2026 reading put it at 83 days. IRCC's online processing-time tool shows the current figure, and it changes often. Apply three to four months before travel, and earlier for summer or the September–October autumn-colour season.
What does the visa give you?
Visas are usually multiple entry and can be valid for up to ten years or until your passport expires, though officers can issue shorter validity. At the border, a Canada Border Services Agency officer typically allows up to six months per entry.
Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents can instead apply for the super visa, which allows stays of up to five years per entry. It needs a medical exam, proof of the host's income and private health insurance that meets IRCC's rules.
Why are Indian applications refused?
IRCC refusal letters commonly cite limited travel history, insufficient funds, or doubt that your purpose and ties to India will bring you back. Close family in Canada is not a problem in itself, but a vague purpose combined with relatives there makes officers worry about overstaying. Before reapplying, you can request your GCMS notes to see the officer's actual reasoning.
Don't reapply the week after a refusal with the same documents. Fix the stated reasons first.
Our visa assistance team prepares IRCC applications and letters of explanation, and we arrange travel insurance. See the Canada trip cost and best time to visit Canada guides; for a combined trip, see our USA visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Canada visitor visa cost for Indians?
How long does a Canada visitor visa take from India?
Can Indians with a US visa use Canada's eTA?
What is the Canada super visa for parents?
What are GCMS notes and should I request them after a refusal?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
