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Canadian Visa Types and Counterfoil Codes
A counterfoil code is the category label printed on your Canadian visa sticker (the counterfoil in your passport). Each code identifies the type of visa you received, such as V-1 for a visitor visa, S-1 for a study permit, or W-1 for a work permit. These same codes appear in the Document Issuance section of your GCMS notes when your visa is approved and printed.
What Is a Counterfoil Code?
When IRCC approves a visa that requires a physical sticker in your passport, they print a counterfoil (also called a visa vignette). This sticker contains your photo, validity dates, number of entries allowed, and a category code. That category code tells border officers what type of visa you hold and under what conditions you can enter Canada.
In your GCMS notes, the counterfoil code appears in the Document Issuance section after approval. For example, if IRCC approved your visitor visa, you will see a reference to ‘Counterfoil Category: V-1’ along with the visa number, validity dates, and the office that printed it. For a full explanation of the Document Issuance section, see our guide on how to read GCMS notes.
Complete List of Canadian Visa Counterfoil Codes
Below is the full list of counterfoil codes used on Canadian visas. Each code corresponds to a specific visa type and reason for travel.
| Category Code | Description |
|---|---|
| B-1 | Business Visitor |
| C-1 | Courtesy |
| D-1 | Diplomat |
| F-1 | Facilitation Visa |
| IM-1 | Immigrant (Single-Entry Visa for Permanent Residence) |
| O-1 | Official |
| PA-1 | Permit Holder |
| PAX-1 | National Interest Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) |
| PC-1 | Permit Holder with Valid TRP |
| PG-1 | Parents or Grandparents Super Visa |
| R-1 | Passed Residency Obligation |
| RA-1 | Presence at Appeal |
| RC-1 | Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) Approval – PR Travel Document |
| RX-1 | Attendance at a PR Hearing (within 365 days of previous presence) |
| S-1 | Student with Study Permit |
| SW-1 | International Student with Study & Work Permit |
| SX-1 | Student Exempt from Study Permit Requirement |
| V-1 | Visitor |
| VH-1 | Visitor in Transit (up to 48 hours) |
| W-1 | Worker with Work Permit |
| WX-1 | Worker Exempt from Work Permit Requirement |
Commonly Seen Codes and What They Mean for Your Application
V-1: Visitor Visa
V-1 is the most common counterfoil code. It covers tourism, family visits, and short business trips. If your GCMS notes show a V-1 counterfoil in the Document Issuance section, IRCC approved and printed your visitor visa. For details on what officers assess for visitor visas, see our guide on GCMS notes for visitor visa.
S-1: Student Visa (Study Permit)
S-1 indicates a study permit. Your counterfoil allows you to enter Canada to attend a Designated Learning Institution. The study permit itself is a separate document issued at the port of entry. For details on study permit GCMS notes, see our guide on GCMS notes for study permit.
W-1: Worker (Work Permit)
W-1 covers work permits, including LMIA-based and employer-specific permits. For details on what GCMS notes reveal about work permits, see our guide on GCMS notes for work permit.
IM-1: Immigrant Visa
IM-1 is a single-entry visa for permanent residence. You use it to enter Canada and complete your landing. After landing, you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence. For details on PR application GCMS notes, see our guide on GCMS notes for PR application.
PG-1: Parents or Grandparents Super Visa
PG-1 is the super visa, which allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit for extended stays of up to five years at a time.
How Counterfoil Codes Appear in Your GCMS Notes
When IRCC approves your visa and prints the counterfoil, the Document Issuance section of your GCMS notes updates to show the counterfoil category, number of entries (single or multiple), validity dates, and the print queue or office that issued it. This section confirms that IRCC physically created your visa and it is ready for passport insertion.
If you received your GCMS notes and see a counterfoil entry with ‘App Status: Closed’ and ‘Reason: Approved,’ IRCC has issued your visa and completed your case. For a full explanation of how to read this section, see our GCMS notes glossary and status codes guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find the counterfoil code on my visa?
The counterfoil code appears on the visa sticker in your passport, usually near the top alongside the visa category description. It also appears in the Document Issuance section of your GCMS notes.
What does it mean if my GCMS notes show a counterfoil entry?
A counterfoil entry in the Document Issuance section means IRCC approved your visa and printed the sticker. The counterfoil code identifies which type of visa was issued.
Can I see my counterfoil code in GCMS notes before receiving my passport?
Yes. If your GCMS notes show a counterfoil entry with validity dates and a print reference, IRCC approved and created your visa, even if you have not physically received your passport back yet.
What if my counterfoil code does not match my application type?
Contact IRCC or your visa application centre immediately. Errors on counterfoils can cause problems at the port of entry. Your GCMS notes can confirm what type of visa was intended versus what was printed.
Questions About Your Visa?
If you experienced a visa refusal, unexpected conditions, or a processing delay, your GCMS notes show the full internal record of your application. Order your notes at our GCMS notes online order page to see what happened with your file. To understand what GCMS notes are and how they work, see our complete guide on what are GCMS notes.