Canada Visa RequirementsFor Russia passport holders
Russian citizens require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada. The visa fee is CAD $100 (approximately $74 USD) and biometric enrollment at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre is mandatory. Processing typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Applications are submitted online via the IRCC portal at canada.ca.
Russia passport holders require a visa to enter Canada.
Apply online through the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) portal at canada.ca. Create an account, complete form IMM 5257 (Application for Visitor Visa), upload all supporting documents in digital format, and pay the CAD $100 application fee online. After submission you will receive a biometric instruction letter. You must then book an appointment at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Russia to provide fingerprints and a photograph (biometric fee: CAD $85). Moscow and several other Russian cities have VACs. Once biometrics are collected, IRCC processes the application. Check the IRCC processing times tool at canada.ca for current estimates before applying.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Allowed
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Appointment
Per embassy instructions if approved
Biometrics
Required at first application
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Completed IMM 5257 Application Form
The official Canadian visitor visa application form, completed online through the IRCC portal at canada.ca. Required for all adult applicants.
Valid Russian Passport
Original passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Canada. Must have at least 2 blank pages.
Digital Passport Photo
Recent digital photograph meeting IRCC specifications: white background, taken within the last 6 months, uploaded during the online application.
Biometric Enrollment
Fingerprints and photograph collected in person at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Russia. Mandatory for most applicants aged 14 to 79. Biometric fee: CAD $85, paid separately at the VAC.
Proof of Financial Means
Recent bank statements (last 3 to 6 months), pay slips, or other evidence demonstrating you can cover your expenses during the trip and have sufficient funds to return home.
Travel Itinerary
Planned travel dates, intended cities to visit, and accommodation details. Can be a draft itinerary; no need for confirmed bookings at application stage.
Proof of Ties to Russia
Documents showing strong reasons to return home: employment letter, property ownership, business registration, family ties, or enrollment in education.
Invitation Letter Recommended
If visiting family or friends in Canada, a letter from your host including their name, address, contact details, and relationship to you. Optional for purely tourist visits.
Required at Entry
Passport with Valid Canadian TRV
Your Russian passport containing the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) sticker issued by IRCC. The visa must be valid for your date of entry.
Return or Onward Ticket
Confirmed booking showing you will leave Canada before or by the date the border officer stamps as your authorized stay (typically up to 6 months).
Proof of Accommodation
Hotel booking confirmation, short-term rental reservation, or a letter from a host in Canada confirming your place of stay.
Current Travel Situation
Russia to Canada: What You Need to Know
Canada and Russia have maintained severely strained diplomatic relations since 2022, with Canada imposing sanctions over the war in Ukraine. Despite this political context, the Canadian government continues to process visitor visa applications from Russian citizens through normal immigration channels. Applicants should expect no special treatment in either direction: applications are assessed on standard immigration criteria including financial ties, purpose of visit, and intent to return home. Russian citizens living outside Russia should apply through the visa office responsible for their country of residence.
How to Get There
Canada has no direct flights from Russia since 2022. All routes require at least one connection. Common connections include Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), and Amsterdam (KLM). Flight time from Moscow to Toronto is approximately 9 to 10 hours of flying, but total travel time with layovers is typically 14 to 20 hours depending on routing. Book through a third-country hub and check visa requirements for any transit country. EU airports generally allow airside transit without a visa for Russian passport holders, but confirm per-airline and per-airport rules before booking.
Money & Banking
Canadian ATMs and point-of-sale terminals accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Russian-issued bank cards (Mir, Mastercard, Visa issued by sanctioned Russian banks) do not function in Canada. Travelers must arrange funds before departure: bring USD or EUR cash to exchange on arrival, or use a non-Russian bank card (issued outside Russia). Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and exchange bureaus. The local currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Major tourist areas accept credit cards widely; smaller businesses and rural areas may prefer cash.
Practical Tips
Canada has no direct flights from Russia since 2022. All routes require at least one connection. Common connections include Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), and Amsterdam (KLM). Flight time from Moscow to Toronto is approximately 9 to 10 hours of flying, but total travel time with layovers is typically 14 to 20 hours depending on routing. Book through a third-country hub and check visa requirements for any transit country. EU airports generally allow airside transit without a visa for Russian passport holders, but confirm per-airline and per-airport rules before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Russian citizens need a visa for Canada?
Yes. Russian citizens must obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also called a Canadian visitor visa, before traveling to Canada. The visa must be applied for in advance through the IRCC online portal. There is no visa on arrival option for Russian passport holders.
How do I apply for a Canadian tourist visa from Russia?
Applications are submitted online at canada.ca through the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) portal. You create an account, complete form IMM 5257, upload supporting documents, and pay the CAD $100 fee online. After applying online, you will receive a biometric instruction letter requiring you to visit a VFS Global Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Russia in person to provide fingerprints and a photo. VFS Global operates VACs in Moscow and other Russian cities.
How much does the Canadian visitor visa cost for Russians?
The IRCC application fee is CAD $100 (approximately $74 USD). In addition, biometric enrollment costs CAD $85, paid separately at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre. The total cost including biometrics is approximately CAD $185. These fees are non-refundable even if the visa is refused.
How long can Russians stay in Canada on a tourist visa?
The length of authorized stay is determined by the border officer at the port of entry, not by the visa itself. Most visitors are admitted for up to 6 months (180 days). The officer will stamp your passport with the date you must leave by. The TRV itself may be valid for multiple entries over up to 10 years, but each entry grants a separate stay of up to 6 months at the officer's discretion.
How do you fly from Russia to Canada without direct flights?
There are no direct flights between Russia and Canada as of 2026. The most commonly used connecting hubs are Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), and Amsterdam (KLM). Total journey time from Moscow to Toronto or Vancouver is typically 14 to 20 hours depending on layover duration. Check visa requirements for your transit country before booking, though most European airport transits do not require a separate transit visa for Russian passport holders travelling airside.
Do Russian bank cards work in Canada?
No. Russian-issued Visa, Mastercard, and Mir cards stopped working outside Russia in 2022 due to international sanctions. Canadian ATMs, shops, hotels, and restaurants do not accept these cards. You should arrange alternative payment before traveling: bring USD or EUR cash to exchange on arrival in Canada, use a bank card issued by a non-Russian bank (for example from a bank in Armenia, Georgia, UAE, or Kazakhstan), or carry Canadian dollars in cash. Currency exchange counters are available at all major Canadian airports.