How Indian passport holders get a visa for Canada: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Visitor visa (TRV) — apply online + VFS biometrics
- Government fee: CAD 100 (~₹6,300) visitor visa fee + CAD 85 (~₹5,400) biometrics. Total ~₹11,700.
- Processing time: From India: about 70–90 days after biometrics (IRCC posted ~71–88 days in early-to-mid 2026). IRCC targeting 60 days global by Q4 2026.
- Maximum stay: Up to 6 months per entry; multi-entry visa typically valid up to 10 years or until passport expiry
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 45/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport 6+ months valid
- Digital photograph (per IRCC specs)
- Proof of funds (bank statements, ITRs)
- Employer NOC / business proof
- Travel itinerary and hotel bookings
- Family/ties-to-India evidence
- Purpose-of-visit letter
- Previous travel history (visas, stamps)
How & where to apply
Apply online on the IRCC portal, then submit biometrics at any VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre in India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Pune, Jalandhar). IRCC — Apply for a visitor visa (official)
Transit & connections
Indians need a Transit Visa or visitor visa even for airside transit through Canadian airports (no general airside exemption for India). The Canada Transit Without Visa programme is limited to specific cities/airlines and does not include India.
How Canada compares in the Americas
With an ease score of 45/100 this is a moderate-effort application for Indians — start early and follow the document checklist exactly. Canada requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Visitor visa (TRV) — apply online + VFS biometrics | CAD 100 (~₹6,300) visitor visa fee + CAD 85 (~₹5,400) biometrics. Total ~₹11,700. | From India: about 70–90 days after biometrics (IRCC posted ~71–88 days in early-to-mid 2026). IRCC targeting 60 days global by Q4 2026. |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | Consular tourist visa — or visa-free if you hold a qualifying US visa / Green Card | Free for Indian nationals under bilateral agreement (zero consular fee). Visa-free entry is also free if eligible. | Consular visa: typically 10–15 working days after document submission at the Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate in Mumbai. |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Consular visa — or visa-free if you hold US/Canada/UK/Japan/Schengen visa | Consular tourist visa US$54 (~₹4,600). Visa-free entry is free — only the FMM/FMME tourist card (free if filed online or ~MXN 717 / ~₹3,600 at land borders) is needed. | Consular visa: 2–10 working days at the Mexican Embassy in New Delhi after appointment. Visa-free entry: instant at port of entry. |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | Consular tourist visa — or visa-free if you hold a valid US visa / Green Card | Tourist visa US$25 (~₹2,100) consular fee for Indian nationals. Visa-free entry is free. | Consular visa: typically 10–15 working days at the Embassy of Chile in New Delhi after document submission. |
| 🇵🇪 Peru | Consular tourist visa — or visa-free if you hold a US/Canada/UK/Australia/Schengen visa | Tourist visa approx US$30 (~₹2,500) consular fee at the Embassy in New Delhi. Visa-free entry is free. | Consular visa: 7–10 working days after the in-person interview at the Embassy of Peru in New Delhi. |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | Tourist visa via Embassy / VFS — eVisa for business travellers only (as of mid-2026) | Tourist visa ₹6,400 (~US$77) consular fee. Business eVisa via VFS: US$40 + US$25 service fee (~₹5,500). | Tourist visa: 10–15 working days from VFS submission. Business eVisa: 5–10 working days. |
| 🇺🇸 United States | B1/B2 visitor visa — embassy interview (or Drop Box for renewals ≤12 months) | US$185 (~₹15,600) MRV fee per applicant (B1/B2). No refund whatever the outcome. | Interview wait times in India remain among the longest globally (as of May 2026): Mumbai ~9–10 months, New Delhi ~6–10 months, Hyderabad ~5–8 months, Kolkata ~2.5–5 months, Chennai ~3.5–4 months. Drop Box (interview waiver) renewals are processed in ~7–21 days. |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
Indians are NOT eligible for the eTA Canada — the expanded eTA programme (launched June 2023) is limited to 13 specific countries; India was never included. However, US Permanent Residents (Green Card) of any nationality — including Indians — are eTA-eligible since April 2022 (CAD 7, instant approval typically). Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/apply-visitor-visa.html
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Canada?
Visitor visa (TRV) — apply online + VFS biometrics. Indians are NOT eligible for the eTA Canada — the expanded eTA programme (launched June 2023) is limited to 13 specific countries; India was never included. However, US Permanent Residents (Green Card) of any nationality — including Indians — are eTA-eligible since April 2022 (CAD 7, instant approval typically).
What documents do Indians need for a Canada visa?
Passport 6+ months valid; Digital photograph (per IRCC specs); Proof of funds (bank statements, ITRs); Employer NOC / business proof; Travel itinerary and hotel bookings; Family/ties-to-India evidence; Purpose-of-visit letter; Previous travel history (visas, stamps)
How long does a Canada visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: From India: about 70–90 days after biometrics (IRCC posted ~71–88 days in early-to-mid 2026). IRCC targeting 60 days global by Q4 2026.. Government fee: CAD 100 (~₹6,300) visitor visa fee + CAD 85 (~₹5,400) biometrics. Total ~₹11,700.. Maximum stay: Up to 6 months per entry; multi-entry visa typically valid up to 10 years or until passport expiry.
How do Indians apply for a Canada visa?
Apply online on the IRCC portal, then submit biometrics at any VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre in India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Pune, Jalandhar). Official source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/apply-visitor-visa.html
Is a Canada visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 45/100 this is a moderate-effort application for Indians — start early and follow the document checklist exactly. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Canada visa online or on arrival?
Canada requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
More visas nearby
← All visa guides for Indian travellers · Get expert help with your Canada visa