Canada Visitor Visa from India: Fees, Biometrics & Processing Time

Who needs a Canada visitor visa and what it allows

Indian passport holders generally need a visitor visa, officially called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), to visit Canada for tourism, family visits or short business trips. It usually allows stays of up to six months per entry, though the border officer decides the exact period on arrival. Rules can change, so confirm on the IRCC website before applying.

Some travellers with a recent Canadian visa or a valid US visa may be eligible to fly using an eTA instead, but the conditions are specific and updated from time to time. If you are unsure, use IRCC's online eligibility tool rather than relying on hearsay or old forum posts.

Canada visa fees from India: what you will typically pay

The government application fee for a visitor visa is typically around CAD 100 per person, and the biometrics fee is typically around CAD 85 per person, with a family cap of around CAD 170 when applying together. In rupees, that is roughly ₹6,000–₹6,500 and ₹5,000–₹5,500, though exchange rates move daily.

Extra costs often catch families off guard: the VFS Global service charge at the application centre, photographs, optional courier, medical exam fees where required, and document translations. All figures here are indicative, so always check IRCC's official fee list before you pay.

• Visitor visa fee: around CAD 100 per person (roughly ₹6,000–₹6,500)
• Biometrics fee: around CAD 85 per person (roughly ₹5,000–₹5,500)
• Family biometrics cap: around CAD 170 for two or more applying together
• VFS Global service charge: extra, and varies
• Medical exam, if required: panel physician fees vary
• Photos, printing and translations: small but real extras

How biometrics work for Indian applicants

After you submit your online application and pay the fees, IRCC sends a biometric instruction letter. You then book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre, run by VFS Global in India, typically within 30 days of the letter. Fingerprints and a photo are captured in a short visit.

Biometrics are typically valid for around 10 years, so if you gave them for an earlier Canadian application within that window, you may not need to repeat them. The online system tells you whether they are required. Children and some older applicants are generally exempt, but check the current rules.

• Biometric instruction letter (printed or on screen)
• Your valid passport
• Appointment confirmation from the VFS portal
• Application reference number
• Any additional document requested in the letter

Processing time: what to expect and how to track it

Processing times vary by season, application volume and the visa office handling your file. For Indian applicants, visitor visas can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, and peak travel periods often run slower. IRCC publishes a processing-time tool on its website; use it for the latest estimate.

Processing often does not properly begin until biometrics are received, so book that appointment quickly. Track your status through your IRCC online account and respond promptly to any request for documents or a medical exam. Keep flights flexible or refundable until the visa is actually in your passport.

Documents and tips for a stronger application

Officers want to be satisfied that your visit is temporary and that you will leave Canada before your authorised stay ends. Clear, consistent documents showing your purpose of travel, finances and ties to India, such as a job, business, property or family, carry the most weight. No document list guarantees approval, because each case is assessed individually.

• Valid passport, plus old passports showing past travel
• Recent bank statements and income tax returns
• Employment letter with approved leave, or business registration papers
• Realistic itinerary and accommodation plan
• Invitation letter and host's status proof if visiting family
• Letter of explanation for any unusual deposits or travel gaps

Common mistakes that cause delays or refusals

Most problems come from avoidable errors: details that do not match between forms and documents, unexplained large deposits, a vague travel purpose, or unanswered questions. Refusals are not always about money; officers may simply doubt that the trip is temporary. Honesty matters, because misrepresentation can lead to serious consequences, including a ban on applying for years.

If you are refused, read the refusal letter carefully. Reapplying straight away with the same documents rarely helps, so address the gap first, whether that is the purpose of travel, finances or ties to home. Professional advice can help you understand the reasoning, but nobody can promise an outcome.