Canada Visitor Visa from the UK: Step-by-Step
TRV applications from the UK in 2026 — the IRCC online portal, biometrics, real fees, and the documents that move the needle for non-British passport holders.
Canada's visitor visa — officially the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — is required for UK residents who don't hold a British, Canadian or otherwise visa-exempt passport. The whole process has moved onto IRCC's digital portal, but that hasn't lowered the document standard; if anything, reviewers now expect a tighter, more complete file since there's no in-person counter to clarify anything.
Do you need a TRV or an eTA?
If you hold a passport from a visa-exempt country and are flying into Canada, you likely only need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) — a much lighter, faster process. The TRV is for everyone else: non-visa-exempt passport holders who need full pre-clearance before travelling.
The IRCC portal process
- •Create an IRCC online account and complete the visitor visa application
- •Upload your documents — passport, photo, funds, travel history and purpose of visit
- •Pay the application fee and, where required, book biometrics
- •Attend a Visa Application Centre in the UK for fingerprints and a photo
Why biometrics timing matters
IRCC counts most of its processing time from the day it receives your biometrics, not the day you submit your online application. Booking your biometrics appointment early is the single biggest lever you have over your own timeline.
Fees and processing times
The visitor visa fee is CA$100 per person (capped at CA$500 for a family applying together), plus a separate CA$85 biometrics fee (capped at CA$170 per family). IRCC now publishes country-specific processing estimates rather than one global figure; for UK-based applicants, budget for roughly 4 weeks on average, though this varies with application volume.
Documents that move the needle
- •A clear, complete set of scans uploaded correctly the first time — requests for missing documents restart your processing clock
- •3 months of bank statements showing funds for the whole trip, not just the flight into Canada
- •A realistic travel itinerary and evidence of ties back to the UK
- •Any previous travel history, especially to Schengen, the US or other strict-visa destinations
Frequently asked questions
CA$100 for the visitor visa application, plus a separate CA$85 biometrics fee — around CA$185 total per adult applicant.
IRCC's country-specific estimates put UK-based applications at roughly 4 weeks on average, though this is measured from your biometrics appointment, not your submission date, and can vary with volume.
Most first-time TRV applicants do. You'll book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in the UK after submitting your online application.
Unclear purpose of visit combined with insufficient evidence of funds is the most common pattern, closely followed by incomplete forms or missing supporting letters — IRCC treats gaps as grounds for refusal rather than a request for more information.
Yes. We review the refusal reasons IRCC provided and rebuild the file specifically around them before resubmitting.
