Quick comparison: US vs Canada tourist visa
| Factor | US B1/B2 visitor visa | Canada visitor visa (TRV) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | USD 185 (approx. ₹15,500) | CAD 100 (approx. ₹6,300) |
| Interview | Required, in person at a US consulate | Usually no interview; biometrics at VFS |
| How to apply | DS-160 online form + interview | Online portal + VFS biometrics |
| Processing time | 2 to 8 weeks after the interview | 4 to 12 weeks (variable) |
| Validity | Usually 10 years, multiple entry | Up to 10 years or to passport expiry |
| Stay per visit | Up to 6 months, decided at the border | Up to 6 months, decided at the border |
How the application process differs
The US visitor visa process is built around an interview. You complete the DS-160 form online, pay the fee, book an appointment, and attend an in-person interview at a US consulate (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata) where an officer decides your case on the spot. The Canada visitor visa is largely paper-based: you create an online application, upload documents, pay, then attend a VFS Global centre in India to give biometrics (fingerprints and photo). A face-to-face interview is far less common for Canada — decisions are made on the documents.
The interview question: does it help or hurt?
The US interview is the decisive moment. A confident, consistent applicant with a clear travel purpose and strong ties to India can do very well, because the officer can read the person in front of them. But it is also where nervous or under-prepared applicants stumble. Canada has no interview for most applicants, which removes that pressure — but it also means you cannot clarify or explain anything in person; your documents have to do all the talking. So "interview" is not simply harder or easier — it favours a different kind of applicant.
Fees and total cost
The US B1/B2 fee is USD 185 (roughly ₹15,500). The Canada visitor visa fee is CAD 100 (roughly ₹6,300) plus the VFS biometrics fee of CAD 85. So Canada is meaningfully cheaper in total, though the gap narrows when you factor in photocopying, courier and travel-to-centre costs. Neither fee is refundable if the visa is refused.
Processing time
US processing is partly interview-driven: once you clear the interview, the visa is typically issued in 2 to 8 weeks, though administrative processing can extend some cases by weeks. Canada processing runs 4 to 12 weeks from biometrics, sometimes longer in peak season or when additional documents are requested. The big difference is that US processing waits on appointment availability — which in India can stretch to several weeks or months — whereas Canada moves on its own document-review timeline.
Validity and what you get
The US B1/B2 is usually a 10-year multiple-entry visa for Indian applicants, a long-lived, valuable document. The Canada visitor visa is issued up to 10 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and is also typically multiple entry. Both let you stay up to six months per entry, with the exact length decided by the border officer on arrival.
Which is genuinely "easier"?
There is no single answer — it depends on your profile:
- Strong travel history + stable finances: the US interview route can be the faster, higher-approval path because you can make your case in person.
- Simpler paper application + lower budget + no interview nerves: Canada is the lower-stress, lower-cost route.
- First international trip with a thin travel history: Canada often looks more kindly on a clean, well-documented file without the pressure of an interview.
- Need a visa quickly for a specific trip: compare live US appointment availability against Canada's current processing window — the bottleneck is whichever is longer for you right now.
What about refusals and reapplication?
A US refusal under Section 214(b) means the officer was not satisfied you would return to India; it is not permanent, and you can reapply when your circumstances have materially changed. A Canada refusal comes with a letter explaining the reason; you can reapply with stronger documents. A refusal from one country does not automatically affect the other, but both governments share fraud data, so never hide a prior refusal on a new application.
Bringing family
Both countries allow family to apply, but each traveller needs their own application, fee and (for the US) their own interview slot. For Canada, a family can apply together in one online session with linked applications and a single biometrics fee for a group. Plan ahead: family appointments and group processing take longer to schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Is the US or Canada tourist visa easier to get for Indians?
It depends on your profile. A confident applicant with strong finances and travel history often does better in the US interview; an applicant who prefers a paper-based process with no interview and a lower fee often finds Canada smoother. There is no blanket "easier" answer.
Which is cheaper, the US or Canada tourist visa?
Canada is cheaper. The US B1/B2 fee is USD 185; the Canada visitor visa is CAD 100 plus a CAD 85 biometrics fee. Neither fee is refundable if refused.
Does the US tourist visa require an interview?
Yes. US B1/B2 applicants attend an in-person interview at a US consulate in India. The Canada visitor visa usually does not require an interview — biometrics at VFS Global is the main in-person step.
Can a US visa refusal affect a Canada visa application?
A refusal from one country does not automatically block the other, but both share fraud data and both ask about prior refusals. Always disclose a prior refusal honestly; hiding one is far more damaging than the refusal itself.
How long are US and Canada tourist visas valid for Indians?
The US B1/B2 is usually valid for 10 years, multiple entry. The Canada visitor visa is valid up to 10 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner. Both allow stays of up to six months per entry, decided at the border.