Citizens of the majority of countries need a temporary resident visa to visit Canada. They need to apply at one of the consular offices of Canada or at one of the Canadian Visa application centres (run by VFS Global). There is no separate application for business visitors. The temporary resident visa covers all visitors, including those in Canada on business. Some visitors are eligible to apply entirely online. Citizens of the following 29 countries, as of September and December 2013, also must provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam and Yemen. Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for the parent and grandparent super visa which allows them to stay for up to two years in Canada without renewing their status.  

Make a Gift to Help Save Refugees

We are responding to a refugee crisis unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Central African Republic: emergencies around the world today threaten millions of refugees. Families and children forced to flee their homes arrive in refugee camps daily with little more than the clothes on their back. UNHCR is working around the clock to rush essential relief to those impacted but we need your help to replenish depleted supplies.

Your donation will help provide immediate assistance including tents, blankets, cooking sets, medicine and other life-saving needs—to those who need it most.