Visa to Canada for Colombians
If you're a Columbian citizen planning a trip to Canada, you'll generally need a visitor visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). This visa is used for short trips, including sightseeing, vacations, and visiting relatives or friends.
Canadian visitor visas can be issued for a single entry or multiple visits. They may be valid for up to 10 years, depending on your circumstances and the immigration officer's decision. The visa's validity cannot extend beyond the expiry of your passport or biometric information.
Even if your visa is valid for several years, you can usually stay in Canada for up to 6 months at a time. A Canadian border officer decides the permitted length of each visit.
In some cases, eligible travelers from visa-required countries can fly to Canada with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead of applying for a visitor visa.
To find out which entry document applies to you, visit the official Canadian government website.
What is the Canada tourist visa application process for Colombians?
Colombians who want to visit Canada for a holiday or to see friends and family can apply for a visitor visa online. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) handles the applications and provides instructions throughout the process.
1. Confirm which entry permit you need. Start by checking whether you must obtain a visitor visa or qualify for an eTA. Review your passport validity and collect documents explaining the purpose of your trip, your financial resources, and your reasons for returning home afterward.
2. Create your online profile. Visit the official Canada visa application website and select the appropriate portal. If the standard IRCC Portal applies to you, you'll need an invitation code to create an account.
3. Enter your travel and personal information. Complete the form with your identity details, passport information, occupation, and travel history. Include why you're traveling to Canada, how long you intend to stay, where you'll live during the visit, and how your expenses will be covered.
4. Upload the required files. Your IRCC account will provide a document checklist. Submit clear copies of the requested materials, such as your passport, proof of income, employment information, and travel itinerary. Documents in other languages must have translations that comply with IRCC rules.
5. Make the payment and submit. The Canadian visitor visa fee is CAD 100 per applicant, with an additional CAD 85 biometric fee where applicable. Applicants who need both usually pay CAD 185. Complete the online payment and submit the application.
6. Give biometrics if requested. If necessary, IRCC will send a Biometric Instruction Letter. Book an appointment at an authorized Visa Application Centre and bring your passport and the letter. Most applicants have 30 days to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
Find out where to give biometrics.
7. Wait for IRCC's decision. You can monitor the progress through your account. Depending on your application, immigration officers may request additional information, a medical examination, or an interview. Processing times vary by applicant and location.
8. Receive the visa in your passport. Once your application is approved, IRCC will provide instructions for submitting your passport. After the visa sticker is placed inside and your passport is returned, check the information and validity dates before traveling.
How much is the Canada visa application fee for Columbian citizens?
For Columbian citizens, the basic cost of applying for a Canada visitor visa is CAD 100 per person. The fee doesn't change based on whether you receive a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.
If you haven't provided valid biometrics and need to complete this step, you'll normally pay an additional CAD 85. As a result, applicants who need biometrics usually spend CAD 185 in total.
Special fee limits are available for families. When an eligible family of five or more applies together, the visitor visa application fees are capped at CAD 500. The maximum biometric fee for a family is CAD 170.
Your overall expenses may also include translation services, courier fees for your passport, and any optional help with completing the application.
Remember that IRCC generally doesn't return processing fees if the application is refused.
Check the official Canada immigration fees before applying.
What do Columbian citizens need for a Canada visitor visa application?
For Colombians, applying for a Canadian visitor visa means providing proof of identity, explaining the reason for the trip, and showing that the visit is financially manageable.
Prepare the following documents, where applicable:
- Current passport. A valid travel document and copies of the required pages.
- Visitor visa application. A properly completed online form.
- Bank and income records. Statements showing available funds, proof of earnings, or financial sponsorship.
- Travel information. A proposed itinerary, accommodation details, and expected dates of travel.
- Employment or student documents. Confirmation of your job, studies, or self-employment.
- Proof of commitments at home. Documents showing family connections, property, professional responsibilities, or other ties.
- Earlier travel documents. Copies of previous visas or entry stamps, if you have traveled abroad before.
You may need to provide additional paperwork based on your situation, including an invitation letter or parental authorization for a minor traveling without both parents.
There's no set amount of money that every applicant must show. IRCC considers whether your available funds are reasonable for the length and purpose of your visit.
Check the official visitor visa application instructions before submitting your documents.
How can Colombians cover medical expenses while visiting Canada?
Medical care in Canada can be expensive for tourists, especially when emergency treatment or hospitalization is needed. Although travel medical insurance isn't usually compulsory, most foreign visitors aren't covered by the public healthcare system.
Taking out a travel insurance policy before departure can help protect your budget from eligible medical expenses during your stay.
Columbian citizens can arrange medical insurance online through Visit World and select a policy that provides suitable protection for their trip.
When can Columbian citizens expect their Canada tourist visa?
Colombians applying for a Canadian tourist visa should be prepared for processing times that vary from case to case. The waiting period is influenced by the location of the application, the documents submitted, and the workload of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Some visa decisions are made within several weeks, but more time may be needed in other cases. Applicants should also account for biometrics and passport submission once their application is approved.
For a smoother travel experience, it's best to submit your application early and hold off on non-refundable flight purchases until your visa has been issued.
You can review the latest estimated waiting times through the official IRCC processing time service.
What are the Canada visa biometric requirements for Colombians?
When applying for a Canadian tourist visa, most Colombians are required to provide biometric information, which includes fingerprints and a digital photo.
If this step applies to you, IRCC will explain what to do and where to go. You'll need to attend an appointment at an authorized biometric collection location.
Once submitted, biometrics for Canadian temporary residence applications are generally valid for 10 years. Applicants with valid biometric records usually don't have to submit new ones.
Children below 14 and people over 79 are typically exempt, although other exceptions may also apply.
For the complete requirements, visit the IRCC biometrics page.
What are the main reasons Columbian citizens may be refused a Canada visa?
Not every Canadian tourist visa application is approved. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews your documents to determine whether your visit is temporary, financially supported, and consistent with Canada's entry requirements.
The most common reasons for refusal include:
- Not showing enough money to support yourself during the trip.
- Failing to clearly explain why you want to visit Canada.
- Weak evidence of employment, family, or other ties at home.
- Missing documents or contradictory information.
- A history of breaking immigration rules.
- Concerns that you might remain in Canada beyond your authorized stay.
If your visa is denied, you'll receive an explanation from IRCC. Applying again is usually possible, but you should first review the reasons for refusal and provide stronger evidence where needed.
Read the official IRCC guidance on visitor visa decisions.
Can Columbian citizens stay in Canada after their tourist visa period ends?
Yes, Columbian citizens may be able to stay in Canada longer by applying to extend their visitor status before their authorized stay expires.
To do so, you'll need to request a Visitor Record. If approved, it gives you permission to remain in Canada until a specified date. It doesn't renew your visitor visa or guarantee that you'll be admitted again if you leave.
IRCC recommends applying for an extension at least 30 days before your current stay ends. The application must be submitted while your visitor status is still valid.
The standard cost of extending visitor status is CAD 100.
You can review the requirements on the Canada visitor extension page.
