Visiting Canada: Who can apply

If you plan to visit Canada, you must:

• have a valid travel document, such as a passport
• be in good health
• convince an immigration officer that you have ties, such as a job, home and family, that will take you back to your country of origin
• convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit and
• have enough money for your stay. The amount of money you will need can vary with the circumstances of the visit, how long you will stay and whether you will stay in a hotel or with friends or relatives. For more information, ask the Canadian visa office in your country or region.

You may also need:

• a Temporary Resident Visa, depending on your citizenship
• a medical examination and
• a letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.

Inadmissibility

Some people are inadmissible—they are not allowed to come to Canada. Several things can make you inadmissible, including involvement in criminal activity, in human rights violations or in organized crime. You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.

Criminal inadmissibility

If you have committed or been convicted of a criminal offence, you may not be allowed to enter Canada.

Criminal offences include both minor and serious offences, such as theft, assault, manslaughter, dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For a complete list of criminal offences in Canada, consult the Canadian Criminal Code.

If you were convicted of a crime when you were under the age of 18, you can probably still enter Canada.

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Related Links

• Do you need a visa? 
• Letter of invitation
• Overcoming a past conviction
• Criminal convictions
• List of reasons for inadmissibility
• CANPASS Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC)