Canada is the third-most-popular international destination for Indian travellers in 2026, with over 350,000 visitor visas issued to Indian nationals last year. But before you book that Niagara Falls tour or Banff road trip, you need to understand the Canada tourist visa fees for Indians — and there’s more to budget for than just the headline visa fee. This complete 2026 guide breaks down the official IRCC fees, biometrics charges, VFS service fees, hidden costs, and the exact processing timelines you need to plan around. Whether you’re applying solo, with family, or for a multi-year visa, here’s everything an Indian passport holder needs to know.
Do Indians Need a Visa for Canada?
Yes — every Indian passport holder needs a visa to enter Canada, regardless of trip purpose. Canada does not offer visa-on-arrival or e-visa shortcuts to Indians. You must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly called a Canada visitor visa, before you fly. The application is processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), with biometrics collected by VFS Global at one of their 11 Indian centres.
Canada Tourist Visa Fees for Indians (2026)
There are three separate fees every Indian applicant pays. Knowing each one upfront avoids nasty surprises:
| Fee | Amount (CAD) | Amount (INR approx.) | Paid To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visa (single or multiple entry) | CAD 100 | ₹6,300 | IRCC |
| Biometrics (per person) | CAD 85 | ₹5,400 | IRCC |
| Family Biometrics (2+ applicants) | CAD 170 | ₹10,800 | IRCC |
| VFS Service Fee | — | ₹1,837 | VFS Global India |
| Courier Fee (optional) | — | ₹500 | VFS Global |
| Total per Indian adult | CAD 185 | ₹13,500 – ₹14,500 | — |
The visa fee covers both single-entry and multiple-entry visas — there is no extra charge for getting a 10-year multi-entry stamp. IRCC issues whichever visa type best suits your travel pattern, and most Indian applicants with a clean history receive a 10-year multiple-entry visa.
Types of Canada Visas for Indians
| Visa Type | Purpose | Validity | Stay Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visa (TRV) | Tourism, family visit | Up to 10 years | Up to 6 months/visit |
| Super Visa | Parents/grandparents of PR/citizens | Up to 10 years | Up to 5 years/visit |
| Study Permit | Academic studies | Programme duration | Per programme |
| Work Permit | Employment | Per LMIA/job offer | Per permit |
| Transit Visa | Connecting flight | 48 hours | 48 hours |
| Business Visitor | Meetings, conferences | Up to 10 years | Up to 6 months/visit |
Documents Required for Canada Tourist Visa
- ✅ Valid Indian passport with at least 6 months validity beyond planned departure
- ✅ Recent passport-size photos (35mm x 45mm, white background)
- ✅ Completed IMM 5257 visitor visa application form
- ✅ Family Information Form (IMM 5645)
- ✅ Proof of funds — last 6 months bank statements (recommended balance ₹2-5 lakh)
- ✅ Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the last 3 years
- ✅ Salary slips for the last 6 months
- ✅ Employment letter with salary, designation, and approved leave dates
- ✅ Detailed travel itinerary (day-wise, all cities)
- ✅ Confirmed flight reservation (do not buy tickets before approval)
- ✅ Hotel bookings for the entire stay
- ✅ Cover letter explaining purpose, duration, funding, and ties to India
- ✅ Property documents (registry, sale deed) showing assets in India
- ✅ Old passports with previous visas (Schengen, USA, UK help significantly)
- ✅ Invitation letter from Canadian host (if visiting family/friends), plus their PR card or passport copy
- ✅ Marriage certificate and children’s birth certificates (if applicable)
How to Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa from India — Step by Step
- Create an IRCC account on the official Canada.ca portal.
- Complete the online application (IMM 5257 + IMM 5645) and upload supporting documents.
- Pay the IRCC visa fee (CAD 100) and biometrics fee (CAD 85) using a credit/debit card.
- Receive Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) within 24 hours by email.
- Book a VFS Global appointment at one of 11 Indian centres (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kochi).
- Visit VFS on your appointment date with your passport, BIL, and printed application receipt. Submit fingerprints and a photo.
- Track your application online through your IRCC account.
- Receive your passport via VFS courier or in-person collection.
Need help? Apply through VisaForTrip for end-to-end assistance — from form filling to document review and biometrics scheduling.
Canada Visa Processing Time for Indians
This is the part most Indian applicants underestimate. As of early 2026, the average Canada visitor visa processing time for Indians is around 88 days, a sharp jump from the ~24 days seen in mid-2025. Here’s what to expect:
- Online applications: 50–55 days on average
- Paper-based applications: 60–65 days
- Biometrics appointment slot: usually within 1–3 weeks of payment
- Post-biometrics processing: 30–80 days
- Passport return: 5–10 working days after approval
Pro tip: Apply 4–5 months before your travel date to avoid stress. IRCC’s posted timelines do not include biometrics scheduling time, so the real timeline is always longer than the website estimate.
Hidden Costs Most Indians Forget
- Travel insurance: ₹1,500–₹3,500 for a 2-week trip (recommended, not mandatory)
- Translation of documents: ₹500–₹1,500 if any document is in regional languages
- Photo studio fee: ₹100–₹300 (must meet Canada-specific dimensions)
- VFS Premium Lounge: ₹3,500 (skip-the-queue, optional)
- SMS tracking: ₹150 (optional)
- Form-filling agent: ₹3,000–₹8,000 if using a consultant
Realistic all-in cost for one Indian adult: ₹15,000–₹20,000 including all official fees, biometrics, courier, and basic ancillaries.
Family Application Fees
| Family Size | Visa Fees | Biometrics | Total (CAD) | Total (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | CAD 100 | CAD 85 | CAD 185 | ~₹14,000 |
| 2 Adults | CAD 200 | CAD 170 | CAD 370 | ~₹27,000 |
| 2 Adults + 2 Children | CAD 400 | CAD 170* | CAD 570 | ~₹40,000 |
| Family of 5 | CAD 500 | CAD 170* | CAD 670 | ~₹47,000 |
*Children under 14 are exempt from biometrics. Family biometrics fee is capped at CAD 170 regardless of family size, as long as you apply together.
Common Reasons for Canada Visa Rejection
- Insufficient ties to India — no property, no stable employment, no dependents
- Vague travel purpose or itinerary that doesn’t add up
- Inadequate funds — bank balance below ₹2 lakh raises questions
- Unclear sponsorship — if a Canadian relative is funding, their docs must be airtight
- Previous overstay in Canada or any other country
- Inconsistent statements between application form and supporting documents
- Missing documents or untranslated regional-language documents
- No prior international travel — IRCC prefers applicants with established travel history
Tips to Boost Approval Odds
- Apply 4–5 months before travel — avoids panic if delayed
- Show previous travel stamps (Schengen, US, UK, Dubai, Singapore)
- Submit 3 years of ITRs with consistent income
- Maintain healthy bank balance for at least 6 months
- Write a detailed cover letter with day-wise itinerary
- Use refundable hotel and flight bookings until visa is issued
- For family applications, submit marriage certificate and birth certificates
- Get an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your employer
Canada Visa for Indian Students and Workers
Study Permit fee: CAD 150 + biometrics CAD 85 (~₹15,000 total). Requires a valid Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), proof of funds (CAD 20,635 minimum living costs + tuition), and SDS (Student Direct Stream) eligibility for faster processing.
Work Permit fee: CAD 155 + biometrics CAD 85 (~₹15,500 total). Requires a positive LMIA from a Canadian employer or a job offer under an LMIA-exempt category. Open work permits cost CAD 100 extra.
How to Pay Canada Visa Fees from India
- IRCC fees are paid online via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx) on the official IRCC portal — accepted from Indian-issued cards
- VFS service fees are paid in cash, debit/credit card, or UPI at the VFS centre
- Currency conversion: Most Indian banks charge a 2–3% forex markup on the CAD amount
- No refunds: All fees are non-refundable, even if the visa is denied
Apply for Your Canada Visa with VisaForTrip
VisaForTrip handles your entire Canada visa journey — IMM 5257 form filling, document review, financial proof formatting, biometrics scheduling, and follow-up — with a 95%+ approval rate for Indian applicants.
Also read: USA Tourist Visa for Indians | UK Visa Processing Time | Schengen Visa Fees for Indians
FAQs — Canada Tourist Visa Fees for Indians
1. How much is the Canada visa fee for Indians in 2026?
The total cost per Indian adult is around ₹13,500–₹14,500: CAD 100 visa fee + CAD 85 biometrics + ₹1,837 VFS service fee. Family of 4 pays approximately ₹40,000.
2. How long does Canada visa processing take from India?
As of 2026, the average processing time is around 88 days from biometrics submission. Apply 4–5 months before travel.
3. What is the validity of a Canada tourist visa?
Most Indian applicants receive a 10-year multiple-entry visa, with each visit capped at 6 months.
4. Is biometrics mandatory for Canada visa from India?
Yes. All Indian visitor visa applicants aged 14–79 must submit biometrics (fingerprints + photo) at a VFS Global centre.
5. Can I get my Canada visa fee refunded if rejected?
No. All IRCC and VFS fees are non-refundable, even if the visa is denied.
6. Is there a Super Visa for parents of Indian PRs?
Yes. The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian PRs/citizens to stay up to 5 years per visit, valid for 10 years. Fees are the same as a regular TRV.
7. Can I work on a Canada tourist visa?
No. A visitor visa does not allow employment. You need a separate Work Permit, which requires an LMIA or LMIA-exempt job offer.