Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) / Visitor visa
Statutory definition
IRPR s 179 sets out the conditions that must be met for a TRV to be issued: the applicant must be admissible, must leave Canada by the end of the authorised period, holds a valid travel document, is not inadmissible, and, if required, holds a medical certificate. Citizens of visa-exempt countries do not require a TRV but do require an eTA (with exceptions for US citizens and certain others).
Explanation
The TRV is a pre-entry screening tool. Its issuance does not guarantee entry to Canada — a CBSA officer makes the final admissibility determination at the port of entry and may allow entry for a period shorter than the visa validity. Visitors without a permit are typically admitted for 6 months. The TRV is either single-entry or multiple-entry; most TRVs issued today are multiple-entry and valid for up to 10 years (or the passport expiry, whichever is sooner).