What Is the Validity of Canada Visitor Visa?

A Canadian tourist visa — officially the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — has two separate "validity" clocks that travelers frequently confuse: how long the visa itself remains usable, and how long you're allowed to stay in Canada per visit. This guide explains how visa validity and authorized stay work for Canada visitors.

Canadian Tourist Visa Validity

What is the duration of validity of a Canadian tourist visa?

The validity period is determined by the visa officer and may be limited by the passport validity and individual circumstances. It is not statutorily mandated, but instead is determined by a visa officer's discretion, based on your travel history, ties to your home country, and documents submitted.

What is the difference between validity and the length of stay of a visa?

The period of time that you can travel to and enter Canada is the visa validity. Your visa's expiration date is the end date you must arrive on or before, not when you must leave.

Authorized stay – the maximum period of time allowed in the country after each entry. A decision is made on each arrival by a port of entry officer of the border services.

That is, having a 10-year visa does not imply a 10-year stay. This means that you may be allowed to enter Canada at any time during the 10 years, and each time you enter, you will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

How long can I stay in Canada once I arrive?

The vast majority of visitors are allowed to remain for up to 6 months each visit. Most visitors are authorized to stay for up to six months per entry unless a border services officer specifies a different period, the interpretation is that you can stay up to 6 months from the date of entry into the country or until the passport or biometrics lapse, whichever comes first.

Single-entry vs. multiple-entry — does validity differ?

Yes. A multiple-entry visa lets you enter Canada as many times as you want for as long as the visa remains valid (up to 10 years, subject to the discretionary rules above). Most applicants are automatically considered for this type.

A single-entry visa allows only one entry. Once you leave Canada, the visa cannot be used again, regardless of how much validity time remains on the paper. Single-entry visas are typically issued for one-off events, short fee-exempt visits, or short-term study/work that doesn't require a separate permit.

Canadian eTA Validity

If you're a citizen of a visa-exempt country flying to Canada, you'll likely need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead of a TRV.

Canada eTA validity rules are simpler:

• Valid for up to 5 years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first.
• Allows unlimited entries during that period.
• Each individual visit is still capped at the standard stay rules decided by the border officer, typically up to 6 months.
• A new passport automatically invalidates the eTA tied to the old one; you must apply for a new eTA.

So while a TRV can run up to 10 years, an eTA tops out at 5 years — a key distinction for travelers comparing the two.