This page lists exactly what documents you need for a Canada visa in 2026 — the paperwork immigration actually checks, drawn from Canada's official requirements. Prepare these correctly and you remove the most common cause of delays and refusals.
Canada visa at a glance
| Visa required? | Yes, for many nationalities |
|---|---|
| Main visa type | Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) |
| Government fee | CAD 7 per applicant |
| Processing time | Often within minutes; some cases take several days if documents are requested |
| Validity | Up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first (multiple entries) |
| Permitted stay | 180 days |
| Where to apply | https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html |
| HolidaySG assistance fee | S$65 per applicant (usually S$100) |
Canada visa documents checklist
For the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
- Valid passport
- Payment card (credit/debit)
- Valid email address
- Travel details
For the Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
- Valid passport
- Completed application forms
- Digital photo
- Proof of funds
- Purpose-of-travel/supporting documents
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photo)
Photo and passport specification
Most Canada rejections at the document stage are avoidable: use a recent colour photo with the correct size and background, no glasses or headwear (unless religious), and a passport with at least six months of validity and free pages. Names and dates must match exactly across your form, passport and bookings.
Canada visa for children and families
Children usually need their own visa or entry authorisation, even infants. For family applications, prepare each traveller's passport and photo, and add birth certificates for minors and, where a child travels with one parent or a guardian, a consent letter. Applying for the whole family together keeps travel dates and reference numbers consistent.
Common mistakes, delays and rejection reasons
From handling Canada visa applications, these are the issues that most often cause delays or refusals. Avoiding them is the single biggest thing you can control:
- Passport validity: many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates — renew early if yours is close.
- Insufficient proof of funds: bank statements that are too thin, too new, or not in your name are a common reason for delays. Show a stable balance over the last 3–6 months.
- Photo specification errors: wrong size, background colour, glasses or a smile can bounce an application. Follow the exact spec for Canada.
- Applying too late: submit well before departure — allow the full processing window plus a buffer, not the minimum.
- Mismatched documents: names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly across your form, flight and hotel bookings.
- Weak ties to your home country: employment letters, leave approval and return bookings help show you intend to return.
- Prior overstays or refusals: declare them honestly; hiding history causes more problems than the history itself.
- Forgetting the arrival card: None (ArriveCAN optional for customs) — complete it in the correct window or you can be delayed at the border.
Before you travel to Canada
- Arrival card / declaration: None (ArriveCAN optional for customs)
- Onward or return ticket: carry proof — airlines and immigration can ask for it.
- Funds: have evidence of enough money for your stay (card and some local currency).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Requirements by Canada visa type
| Option | Official fee | Max stay | Processing | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | CAD 7 per applicant | 180 days | Often within minutes; some cases take several days if documents are requested | https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html |
| Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) | CAD 100 (visitor visa processing fee) | 180 days | Varies by country; check IRCC's published processing times (often several weeks) plus biometrics | https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/visit-visa.html |
Things to do once your Canada visa is sorted
Popular experiences in Canada you can book on HolidaySG:
- Canada - Unlimited 4G/5G Data eSIM — from USD 22
- Toronto Pearson International Airport Transfer — from CAD 12
- eSIM Amerika T-Mobile Call SMS & Data | SIM America USA Mexico Canada — from IDR 275,128
Official sources
- IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) — verified 19 August 2026
- IRCC — verified 19 August 2026
Last updated 20 August 2026. Written and reviewed by the HolidaySG visa team and checked against the official sources above (facts verified 19 August 2026). Visa rules change and depend on your passport, residence and purpose of travel — always confirm with the official source before booking, or use our visa checker. HolidaySG re-confirms current requirements at the time of your application.