Canada Visa FAQs for Indians: 25 Questions Answered

The 25 answers below come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Global Affairs Canada and VFS Global, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For the full country page, see our Canada visa guide for Indians.

Do Indians need a visa for Canada, and which one?

1. Do Indian citizens need a visa to visit Canada?

Yes. India is on IRCC's list of visa-required countries, so you need a valid visitor visa (temporary resident visa) and passport, even to transit through Canada.

2. Is there a visa on arrival or an e-visa?

No. You apply online, but the visa is a sticker: after approval you submit your passport and cannot travel until IRCC places the visa in it.

3. Can Indians with a US green card travel without a Canadian visa?

Yes. Indian citizens who are US lawful permanent residents can fly with a valid passport and valid green card; they have been exempt from the eTA since April 26, 2022.

4. Can I apply on paper?

Only if you cannot apply online, for example for disability reasons, or if you travel on a refugee, stateless or non-citizen travel document. Everyone else uses the IRCC Portal.

How much does a Canadian visa cost Indians?

5. What is the visitor visa fee?

CAN$100 per person, the same for single and multiple entry. A family of five or more applying together pays a maximum of CAN$500.

6. What does biometrics cost?

CAN$85 per person, or a maximum of CAN$170 for a family of two or more applying at the same time. It covers fingerprints, the digital photo and moving documents between the visa office and the VAC.

7. Does VFS charge a service fee?

There is no separate VAC fee for giving biometrics. Optional VFS services (from 1 May 2026) include package transmission at INR 604, one-way courier at INR 858, two-way courier at INR 1,716, Premium Lounge at INR 4,767 and SMS at INR 179. VFS has announced new charges from 1 November 2026, not yet published.

8. Is there an official rupee price for the visa?

No. IRCC publishes its fees in Canadian dollars only and you pay online; the INR amounts above are VFS's optional service charges, paid at the VAC by cash or UPI.

How does the application move from portal to passport?

9. Where do I give biometrics in India?

At one of ten VFS-run VACs: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune.

10. Do I need an appointment?

Yes, but booking is free. Wait for IRCC's biometric instruction letter; since 24 February 2026 VFS requires you to upload it when booking. Passport submission also needs a prior appointment.

11. How long does a visitor visa take?

29 days for applications from India, per IRCC data last updated 14 October 2026. IRCC told a parliamentary committee that posted times are backward-looking, and files needing more information take longer.

12. Which office decides Indian applications?

IRCC's visa office in New Delhi. The Consulates General in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai handle general enquiries only, with in-person operations temporarily suspended.

13. How do I get my passport back?

Collect the decision envelope at the VAC (walk-in, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00) or pay for courier return.

What documents does IRCC expect from Indian applicants?

14. What is mandatory?

A digital copy of a passport valid at least 6 months from your travel date, a travel authorisation letter for a minor if applicable, and everything on the personalised checklist the IRCC Portal generates.

15. What is recommended?

Travel history, an itinerary, bank statements showing you can support yourself, an employer letter confirming a stable job you will return to, and a letter of invitation if someone is hosting you.

16. Is travel insurance compulsory?

Not for a regular visitor visa. Super visa applicants must show private health insurance from a Canadian or OSFI-authorised insurer, valid at least 1 year from entry, with at least CAN$100,000 emergency coverage.

17. Must I buy a flight ticket before applying?

No. IRCC lists an itinerary as recommended, not a paid ticket, and embassies generally advise against buying non-refundable tickets before the decision. A verifiable flight reservation shows your plan.

How long can you stay, and how long is the visa valid?

18. How long is a visitor visa valid?

IRCC decides. It can be valid for up to 10 years, or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.

19. How long can I stay per visit?

Most visitors can stay up to 6 months per entry, but the border officer may set a different date.

20. Will I get single or multiple entry?

IRCC decides which to issue; the fee is the same CAN$100 either way.

What changes for parents, students and workers?

21. What is the super visa?

A visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents or registered Indians. It allows stays of up to 5 years at a time, is valid for up to 10 years, costs CAN$100 plus CAN$85 biometrics, and takes 77 days from India on IRCC's latest data. The host must be 18 or over and meet a minimum income.

22. What does a study permit need?

A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, a provincial or territorial attestation letter in most cases, and proof of funds. For applications from 1 September 2026 the living-cost minimum outside Quebec is CAN$23,448 for one person, on top of tuition and travel. The fee is CAN$150 and IRCC's India processing time is 7 weeks.

23. What about a work permit?

Most Indians need a job offer and, unless the job is exempt, the employer's positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The fee is CAN$155 and IRCC's India processing time is 11 weeks.

What do the refusal figures say?

24. What is the Canada visitor visa refusal rate?

IRCC reported a global visitor visa refusal rate of 51% in 2025 to a parliamentary committee. It covers all nationalities; IRCC does not give an India-only figure on that page, so it is not a prediction for your file.

25. How often are study permits refused?

IRCC reported a 59% refusal rate for new study permit applications in January to December 2025, up from 52% in 2024, again across all nationalities.

Need a flight reservation, hotel booking, itinerary or cover letter for your Canada file? Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares them, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or reach us through the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can a family of five apply for Canadian visitor visas for one fee?

Yes. IRCC caps the visitor visa fee at CAN$500 for a family of five or more, and biometrics at CAN$170 for a family of two or more. Family members must apply at the same time and place.

Can I give biometrics at one VAC and submit my passport at another?

Yes, but VFS charges INR 604 per package for transmission between centres. The CAN$85 biometrics fee covers one package transmission between IRCC and the VAC where you gave biometrics.

Do Indian students changing colleges need a new attestation letter?

Yes. Since January 22, 2025, study permit applicants changing schools must get a new provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) before applying. From January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral programs at public institutions no longer need one.

How do I pay VFS charges at a Canada VAC in India?

Optional VFS India charges are paid at the VAC in INR by cash or UPI and are non-refundable. IRCC's visa and biometrics fees are paid online in Canadian dollars.