Visa approved — how do travel and stay work?
Approval is not the last step: your passport still has to reach IRCC, and entry itself is decided when you arrive. Start with the question closest to yours.
My visa is approved — when do I send my passport?
Only when IRCC sends you a passport request — never before. After that request you have 30 days to submit the same passport you applied with, and you cannot travel until the visa is in it. Read the apply online and biometrics guide
How long is my visitor visa valid?
A visitor visa can be issued for up to 10 years, or until your passport or your biometrics expire — whichever comes first. An officer may set a different expiry depending on your circumstances. Read the complete Canada visitor visa guide
How long can I stay on each visit?
A regular visitor visa allows a stay of up to 6 months at a time; the Super Visa allows eligible parents and grandparents up to 5 years per entry. The border officer authorises your stay when you arrive. Read the complete Canada visitor visa guide
Does a visa guarantee I can enter Canada?
No — a valid visa and travel document do not guarantee entry. At the border you must satisfy the officer that you are eligible and will leave by the end of your authorised stay, so carry your invitation letter if you have one. Read the Super Visa guide
Can I visit again on the same visa?
If your visa is multiple-entry and still valid, you can travel to Canada as many times as you want while it remains valid. You do not choose the type — IRCC issues single or multiple entry depending on your situation, and each entry is authorised when you arrive. Read the complete Canada visitor visa guide
I'm visiting on a Super Visa — can I stay longer than 5 years?
Super Visa holders can apply for 2-year extensions to their stay while still in Canada — and the medical insurance must stay valid, renewed if it would expire before you leave. Read the Super Visa guide
Official sources
Guides on this page are verified against official sources before publication. Official starting point: IRCC — After you apply for a visitor visa.
General educational information, not individualized legal advice. Follow the official instructions on the linked IRCC pages, and consult a qualified Canadian immigration lawyer for case-specific questions.
General information based on official sources — not a confirmation for your case. Always check the linked official page.