Planning a trip to Canada is exciting, but understanding the Canada visitor visa fees before you apply can save you from unexpected expenses.
For most applicants, the basic Canadian visitor visa application costs CAD $100 per person. If you are required to provide biometrics, you may also need to pay CAD $85 per person. That means an applicant who needs both charges should generally budget CAD $185 in government fees.
Families can qualify for maximum family fees in certain circumstances, while additional expenses may arise from services offered by a Visa Application Centre (VAC), such as courier, printing, photography or other optional services.
This guide explains the Canada visitor visa cost in simple terms, including government fees, biometrics, family applications, VAC charges, refunds and other expenses you should consider.
How Much Does a Canada Visitor Visa Cost?
The standard Canada visitor visa fee is CAD $100 per person.
This is the processing fee for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly called a visitor visa or tourist visa. The same CAD $100 fee applies whether IRCC issues a single-entry or multiple-entry visitor visa. The decision about which type of visa you receive is made by Canadian immigration officials based on your application.
If you must provide biometrics, the standard biometrics fee is CAD $85 per individual.
Therefore, a typical individual applicant who needs biometrics can expect:
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa processing fee | CAD $100 |
| Biometrics fee | CAD $85 |
| Typical government-fee total | CAD $185 |
These figures are the official Government of Canada fees available at the time of writing. Immigration fees can change, so applicants should always confirm the current amount before making payment.
Canada Visitor Visa Fees at a Glance
Here is a quick breakdown of the main fees:
| Fee type | Current amount |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa – individual | CAD $100 |
| Visitor visa – family of 5 or more | CAD $500 maximum |
| Biometrics – individual | CAD $85 |
| Biometrics – eligible family | CAD $170 maximum |
| Visitor visa extension | CAD $100 |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), where applicable | CAD $7 |
The CAD $500 family visitor visa fee applies when five or more eligible family members apply together at the same time and place and meet IRCC’s family-fee requirements.
The eTA is different from a visitor visa and applies only to eligible travellers who meet Canada’s eTA requirements. You should not assume that an eTA can replace a visitor visa simply because it is cheaper.
Is the Canada Visitor Visa Fee the Same for Single and Multiple Entry?
Yes.
Canada charges the same CAD $100 visitor visa processing fee for a single-entry or multiple-entry temporary resident visa.
You do not pay an additional government fee simply because IRCC decides to issue a multiple-entry visa. IRCC makes the decision based on your circumstances and the information in your application.
This is important because some applicants mistakenly assume that they must select and pay separately for a multiple-entry visa. The official fee schedule does not work that way.
Canada Visitor Visa Biometrics Fee
Biometrics are fingerprints and a digital photograph collected from eligible applicants.
For applicants who are required to provide biometrics, the current fee is:
- CAD $85 for one applicant
- Up to CAD $170 for an eligible family applying together
The family biometrics rate can apply to eligible family members who apply at the same time. IRCC identifies eligible family members for this rate, including spouses or common-law partners and dependent children.
Not every applicant needs to provide biometrics. Whether you need them depends on your circumstances, nationality and previous biometric history, among other factors. IRCC provides a tool for applicants to determine whether biometrics are required.
If you are required to give biometrics and are applying for the first time, IRCC recommends paying the biometrics fee when you submit the application. Failing to pay a required fee can cause delays.
How Much Is a Canada Visitor Visa for a Family?
Families should pay particular attention to the family-fee rules.
For a family of five or more people, the maximum visitor visa processing fee can be CAD $500, provided the family members meet IRCC’s requirements and apply at the same time and place.
For example, five individual applications at CAD $100 each would normally total CAD $500 anyway. The family fee becomes especially useful for larger families because it caps the visitor visa processing fee at CAD $500.
However, the biometrics fee is separate.
An eligible family can have a maximum biometrics fee of CAD $170. Therefore, a large family that qualifies for both family fee limits could pay up to:
CAD $500 visitor visa processing + CAD $170 biometrics = CAD $670
This is a government-fee calculation only. It does not necessarily represent the family’s complete travel or application expenses.
What Other Costs Should You Budget For?
The official visa and biometrics fees are not necessarily the only money you may spend during the application process.
Depending on where you apply and which services you use, you may encounter additional costs associated with a Visa Application Centre.
These can include services such as:
- Courier services
- Printing
- Photocopying
- Passport or document transmission
- Photography
- SMS notifications
- Optional premium services
- Assistance with certain application-related services
These charges are different from the Canadian government’s visitor visa processing fee.
For example, VFS Global, which operates Canadian Visa Application Centres in various countries, lists separate service charges. In Nigeria, its published 2026 schedule includes charges for courier services, photography, SMS, package transmission and other optional services.
This distinction matters when calculating the total Canada visitor visa cost.
The Government of Canada fee is one part of the expense. VAC services may be another.
Does the Biometrics Fee Include Everything at the Visa Centre?
Not necessarily.
The IRCC biometrics fee covers the collection of fingerprints and a digital photograph, as well as certain document movement between the VAC and IRCC.
However, additional optional or situation-specific VAC services may carry separate charges.
For example, VFS Global’s Nigeria fee schedule effective May 1, 2026 lists services including one-way and two-way courier, photography, SMS, package transmission and other services.
Therefore, applicants should avoid assuming that every fee displayed at a Visa Application Centre is part of the Canadian visa application fee.
Are Canada Visitor Visa Fees Refundable?
Generally, you should treat the application fee as a non-refundable expense.
IRCC states that temporary resident visa processing fees are not refunded simply because an application is refused or the applicant is found ineligible. If you apply again, you generally have to pay the applicable processing fee again and, where required, another biometrics fee.
This is one reason it is important to check your eligibility and prepare your documents carefully before submitting an application.
Paying the visa fee does not guarantee visa approval.
The fee pays for the processing of your application; it is not a payment for a guaranteed visa.
Does Paying the Canada Visa Fee Guarantee Approval?
No.
This is one of the most important things to understand about the Canadian visitor visa process.
Paying CAD $100, or CAD $185 when biometrics are required, does not mean that your visa will automatically be approved.
Applicants must satisfy the requirements for a temporary resident visa. Among other considerations, IRCC may assess whether the applicant has sufficient funds for the proposed visit, meaningful ties to their home country and a credible intention to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay.
The quality and consistency of your application therefore matter much more than simply paying the required fee.
What Documents Can Affect Your Application?
Although documents do not form part of the official visa fee, preparing them can be an important part of your overall application budget and planning.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need documents such as:
- A valid passport or travel document
- Proof of financial support
- Employment or business evidence
- Travel plans
- Evidence of ties to your country of residence
- Invitation or supporting documents where appropriate
- Previous travel information
- Family or relationship documents where relevant
The exact documents required can vary according to your circumstances.
Applicants should use the official IRCC instructions rather than relying solely on a generic checklist found online.
Canada Visitor Visa Cost From Nigeria
For applicants applying from Nigeria, the underlying Canadian government fees are still charged in Canadian dollars.
The basic visitor visa processing fee is CAD $100 per applicant, while the biometrics fee is CAD $85 for an individual who is required to provide biometrics.
However, the amount you actually spend in Nigerian naira can vary because of exchange rates and local Visa Application Centre charges.
For example, VFS Global’s Canadian VAC service-charge information for Nigeria lists certain services in both Canadian dollars and Nigerian naira. The published naira amounts can change as the applicable exchange rate and service charges change.
This means applicants in Nigeria should not rely on an old naira figure found in a blog post or social-media comment.
Instead, check the current official IRCC fee and the current VFS Global charges before paying.
Example: Calculating Your Canada Visitor Visa Budget
Consider a single adult applicant who requires biometrics.
The calculation would be:
Visitor visa: CAD $100
Biometrics: CAD $85
Government-fee total: CAD $185
The applicant may then have additional expenses for things such as transportation to the VAC, document preparation, printing, photography or courier services, depending on what is required.
Now consider a family of five that qualifies for the family visitor visa fee and the family biometrics fee:
Family visitor visa fee: CAD $500
Family biometrics fee: CAD $170
Government-fee total: CAD $670
Again, this is not the cost of the holiday itself. Flights, accommodation, travel insurance, food, local transportation and other travel expenses are separate.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa?
The simplest way to control costs is to pay only the fees that are actually required.
Start by determining whether you need a visitor visa and whether you need biometrics. Then follow the official application process and avoid paying for optional VAC services unless they are useful to you.
You may also reduce unnecessary expenses by preparing your documents carefully before submitting your application. For example, check that documents are legible, complete and in the required format before paying for unnecessary reprints or additional services.
Be particularly cautious about people who promise guaranteed visa approval for an extra fee. No legitimate agent can guarantee that IRCC will approve a visitor visa.
If you choose to use a representative, IRCC advises applicants to check that the representative is authorized to provide immigration advice or representation.
Canada Visitor Visa Fees: Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Canada visitor visa in 2026?
The standard visitor visa processing fee is CAD $100 per person. If biometrics are required, an individual applicant normally pays an additional CAD $85, bringing the government-fee total to CAD $185.
How much is the Canada visa fee for a family?
A family of five or more may qualify for a maximum visitor visa processing fee of CAD $500 when the family members meet IRCC’s requirements and apply together at the same time and place. Eligible family biometrics can cost up to CAD $170.
Is biometrics included in the CAD $100 visa fee?
No. Biometrics is a separate fee. When required, an individual biometrics fee is CAD $85.
Is the Canada visitor visa fee refundable if my application is refused?
Generally, no. IRCC states that application processing fees are not refunded simply because an application is refused or the applicant is found ineligible.
Does a multiple-entry Canada visitor visa cost more?
No. The same CAD $100 processing fee applies to single- and multiple-entry temporary resident visas. IRCC decides which visa to issue.
Are there additional Visa Application Centre fees?
Possibly. VACs may charge for certain optional or additional services, such as courier, printing, photography, SMS and package transmission. These charges vary by location and can change.
Can I pay the Canada visitor visa fee in my local currency?
The official fees are stated in Canadian dollars. Depending on the application process and location, payment may be processed in a local currency or through the applicable payment system. Always follow the current payment instructions provided by IRCC and the relevant VAC.