General Requirements

• You can't enter Canada at all, whether you're just visiting or want a visa, if you don't meet certain requirements. First, you must have your passport, which is vital not just for entering Canada, but also for re-entry back into the United States. You must also be in good health, which protects the health of those in the country already, and you have to have enough money for your stay and return. The amount of money you need varies depending on how long you plan to stay and what you'll be doing while in Canada. When crossing the border, an immigration officer will check to ensure that you meet all of these requirements, so you may have to talk to this person about your travel plans. Be prepared with details if necessary.
  
  

Basic Visa Requirements

• In order to qualify to use a Canadian visa, you have to meet certain requirements. Along with the general requirements for visiting Canada, you must be law-abiding with no criminal record, subject to clearance and prove that you are of no security threat to the country. You may also need to provide a work or education document, which authorizes you to do those activities while in Canada.
  
  

Documents

• In order to get your visa, you have to have a number of documents. First, you need proof of identity, which includes a passport as well as two pictures of you. You also need proof of your financial means while in the country, such as a bank statement or proof of employment. Children under the age of 16 who are traveling into Canada additionally need documentation on the person who will be responsible for them while they're in the country.
  
  

Inadmissable Travelers

• Some travelers who meet all of the above requirements are still not permitted into Canada. Inadmissibility standards change at times, depending on the state of the world, but some of the most common reasons that you could be declared inadmissible have to do with crime. If you've ever been convicted of a crime, even a minor crime, you may not be allowed to obtain a Canadian visa. In addition, you could be declared inadmissible if you are connected to human rights violations, are deemed a threat to national security, pose a health threat or cannot prove that you have the financial ability to support yourself and pay for passage home.
  
  

Fees

• There are two different types of visas for those wishing to temporarily live in Canada --- the single-entry visa and the multiple-entry visa. These visas are pretty self-explanatory, as the single-entry version doesn't allow you to leave Canada and re-enter without a second application, while the multiple-entry version is valid longer and allows for you come and go as you please during your stay. The fee you'll pay depends on which type of visa you want, but paying this fee is a requirement for obtaining the document in either case. Single-entry visas cost $75 per person and multiple-entry visas cost $150. If your entire family needs visas, you can save money with the family deal, which costs $400 and includes everyone in your family, no matter which type of visa you want.