Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) required — apply online via IRCC, then attend the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu for biometrics and passport submission.
Nepali passport holders need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly called a visitor visa, to enter Canada — Nepal is not on Canada's eTA-eligible list. The application itself is submitted online through an IRCC secure account, but once approved in principle you must submit your passport (and give biometrics) at the VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu for the visa to be physically placed in your passport.
Fee: CAD 100 processing fee per person (CAD 500 maximum for a family of 5 or more applying together), plus a CAD 85 biometrics fee per person — confirmed from IRCC's official fee list.
Processing: Varies by application volume — check IRCC's official 'Check processing times' tool for the current estimate for visitor visa applications from Nepal; commonly ranges from several weeks to a few months.
Stay: Typically up to 6 months per entry, but the exact permitted stay is determined by the border services officer at the port of entry.
Steps
Create an IRCC secure account — Register online at the IRCC portal to start your Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) application.
Complete the application and upload documents — Fill in the visitor visa application form and upload your passport scan, photo, travel itinerary, and supporting documents.
Pay the processing and biometrics fees — Pay online by card — CAD 100 processing fee per person (CAD 500 max for a family of 5+) plus a CAD 85 biometrics fee per person, per IRCC's official fee list.
Give biometrics in Kathmandu — After IRCC issues a biometrics instruction letter, book an appointment at the VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu to give fingerprints and a photo.
Submit your passport once approved — If your application is approved in principle, IRCC will ask you to send your passport (via the VAC) so the visa can be affixed.
Track processing and collect your passport — Use IRCC's online processing-time tool to check current estimates, then collect your passport with the visa from the VAC.
Documents
Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay, with a blank page
Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications
Completed IMM5257 (Application for Temporary Resident Visa) and Family Information form
Two copies of your passport's biographical page and two MRP-format passport photos
Bank statement covering the last 6 months
Fixed deposit certificate(s), if applicable
Share/investment proof, if applicable
Land ownership certificate (lalpurja) with its certified English translation, plus a property valuation report if you're using property as proof of funds or ties
Evidence of ties to Nepal — employment letter, business registration, or family ties supporting an intent to return
Certified birth certificate showing both parents' names; marriage certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate if applicable
Travel itinerary and, if applicable, a letter of invitation from your Canadian host/sponsor
Notarization by a licensed Notary Public for any document that is a copy rather than an original, and a certified translation (with the translator's name, signature, date and contact details) for anything not in English or French
Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) given at the VFS Global Kathmandu centre
No — the eTA is for visa-exempt nationalities flying to Canada; Nepali passport holders need the full visitor visa (TRV) described here, not an eTA.
Do I need to send my passport right away?
No — biometrics and document submission happen first at the VFS Global centre in Kathmandu; your passport is only requested once a decision is ready, so you're not without it for the whole processing period.
Do I really need my lalpurja (land ownership certificate) translated for this?
Yes, if you're including property as part of your proof of funds or ties to Nepal — Canada's own checklist for Nepali applicants explicitly lists the lalpurja and its certified translation, plus a property valuation report if applicable. A licensed Notary Public in Kathmandu can certify the translation.