Visit Canada With the Right Visa – First Time

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Canada From the UK?

Quick answer: It depends on your nationality.

• British citizens do not need a visitor visa. If you fly to Canada, you need an eTA (CAD 7), usually approved within minutes online and valid for up to 5 years. You do not need one if you enter by land or sea.
• UK residents with a visa-required nationality, such as many Indian, Pakistani, Nigerian, Ghanaian or Bangladeshi passport holders, need a Canada visitor visa (temporary resident visa). It costs CAD 100 plus CAD 85 biometrics.

Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months, as decided by the border officer.

Canada eTA vs Visitor Visa

How to Apply for a Canada Visa From the UK

1. Create an IRCC account and complete the visitor visa application online.
2. Upload documents: your passport, UK status, bank statements, employment letter, itinerary and any invitation letter.
3. Pay fees: CAD 100 for the visa and CAD 85 for biometrics.
4. Give biometrics at the Canada Visa Application Centre, 66 Wilson Street, London EC2A 2BT, after receiving your biometrics instruction letter.
5. Wait for a decision and respond quickly to any requests.
6. Passport submission: if approved, follow IRCC and VFS instructions to get your visa in your passport. In 2026, the London centre suspended in-person passport submission and collection, so check current options before you plan travel.

Canada Visit Visa Requirements From the UK

Visa officers must be satisfied that you are a genuine visitor who will leave Canada at the end of your stay. Strong applications show:

• Ties to the UK: a stable job, studies, property, family and valid UK immigration status for the trip.
• Funds: bank statements and payslips covering travel, accommodation and daily costs.
• Purpose of the trip: a clear itinerary, hotel bookings or an invitation letter from your host in Canada.
• Travel history: previous trips to Canada, the US, Schengen countries and elsewhere help your case.

Indian and other passport holders living in the UK should apply from the UK when they are lawfully resident here, and show that their UK status covers their return.

Canada business visitor visa from the UK

Business visitors can attend meetings, conferences, trade shows and training, and negotiate contracts. They usually cannot take paid work for a Canadian employer. You need an invitation letter, an employer support letter and proof that your income comes from outside Canada.

Super Visa for parents and grandparents

Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for a Super Visa, which allows longer stays than a standard visitor visa. You need:

• an invitation letter from your child or grandchild;
• proof that your host meets the minimum income; and
• Canadian medical insurance.

Canada Tourist Visa for 10 Years: Is It Still Available?

Canada can still issue multiple-entry visitor visas valid for up to 10 years, or until your passport expires. However, officers now decide whether to issue a single- or multiple-entry visa, and for how long. Long validity is no longer automatic. A strong travel history and clear ties to the UK help.

Why Canada Visitor Visas Get Refused

• Weak ties to the UK, or UK status that expires soon after the trip.
• Unclear purpose of travel or a vague itinerary.
• Insufficient or unexplained funds, such as large recent deposits.
• Inconsistent information or missing documents.
• Criminal history. Read our guide to criminal inadmissibility and TRPs in Canada.

If you were refused, we can review the officer’s reasons and help you submit a stronger new application.

Canada Immigration Consultants in the UK: Why GIEC Global?

Searching for the best Canada immigration consultants in the UK or a Canada visa agent in London? Look for regulated advice. GIEC Global’s team includes a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC R711892), licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). We help with:

• visitor visas, eTAs and Super Visas;
• business visitor applications;
• refusal reviews and re-applications; and
• permanent residence through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs.

Visit our office at Suite 113, Pentax House, South Hill Avenue, South Harrow, HA2 0DU, or book an online consultation. Note that the Canadian High Commission in London does not accept walk-in visa applications. All applications are made online through IRCC.

From Visiting Canada to Living There

Many visitors fall in love with Canada and want to stay. If you are thinking of moving permanently, explore:

• our Migrate to Canada guide;
• your score on our Canada PR points calculator; and
• provincial programmes such as the Ontario PNP, BC PNP, Alberta PNP, Manitoba PNP, Nova Scotia PNP, New Brunswick PNP and Northwest Territories PNP.

Long-term residents can later apply for Canadian citizenship. You can also explore Study in Canada and Work in Canada.

Reviewed by GIEC Global’s Canada team, including a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC R711892). Information reflects visitor visa, biometrics, eTA and Super Visa fees and the London Visa Application Centre’s 2026 notices. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Visa decisions are made only by IRCC – always confirm current requirements and processing times on canada.ca.