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DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

Visitor Visa Document Checklist

Documents needed for a temporary resident (visitor) visa to Canada.

✈️
10
Total documents
8
Mandatory
2-4 weeks
Processing time
CAD $100
Government fee

Canadian visitor visas (Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV) are discretionary — the visa officer has wide latitude to refuse if they're not satisfied you'll leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. The application is short, but every document needs to support one core message: "I have strong reasons to return home and the means to support myself during my visit."

Refusal rates vary by country, but globally hover around 40%. A well-prepared application can reduce that risk significantly.

Required documents

Identity
  • Valid passport Required
    Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended date of departure from Canada.
  • Photos (digital) Required
    IRCC photo specifications: 35mm × 45mm, taken within last 6 months.
Purpose of Visit
  • Detailed travel itinerary Required
    Specific dates, cities, accommodation, planned activities. "I will travel around Canada" is NOT acceptable — be specific.
  • Letter of invitation (if visiting family/friends) Optional
    From the Canadian host. Must include: host name, status in Canada, address, phone, relationship to you, purpose of visit, duration, who pays for what. Notarized strongly preferred.
  • Conference/event registration (if applicable) Optional
    For business visitors: registration confirmation, agenda, invitation letter from Canadian counterpart.
Financial
  • Bank statements Required
    Last 6 months. Show steady balance + ability to fund the visit. Sudden large deposits raise red flags.
  • Employment letter / income proof Required
    Current employer letter on letterhead: position, salary, leave-of-absence approval covering the visit dates. Self-employed: business registration + tax returns.
Ties to Home Country
  • Property documents Optional
    Property deeds, lease agreements, mortgage documents — showing fixed assets tying you to your home country.
  • Family ties evidence Optional
    Spouse and children documents (birth certificates, marriage certificate), dependent parents documentation. Strong family ties = stronger application.
Personal
  • Travel history Optional
    Copies of past visas (US, UK, Schengen, Australia, etc.) and entry/exit stamps. Demonstrates you have travelled and returned home before.

What visa officers look for

  • Strong home country ties — job, family, property, business obligations
  • Sufficient funds for the visit duration without working in Canada
  • Clear, specific itinerary — not a 6-month "tourism" trip with no plan
  • Travel history to other countries (US, UK, Schengen visas help)
  • Consistent application — no contradictions between forms, supporting documents, and history

Book a free assessment to evaluate your refusal risk before applying.

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