Visiting friends or relatives in Canada requires the participation of both parties: the one inviting and confirming that they are truly expecting a guest, and the one applying for a visa, who presents their side of the story: who is going, why, with what money, and what ties them to home. If these two sides don't align, a beautiful invitation won't save the situation.
Therefore, a visitor visa to Canada requires work with both the applicant and the host. Visa Agency verifies both sides of the case: assisting with the invitation, financial documents, application form, and IRCC submission, ensuring that the information is consistent and the trip appears exactly as it actually is. This increases your chances of visiting your loved ones as quickly as possible.
What is a visitor visa to Canada and who is it suitable for?
There is no separate visa ""for visitors"" in the Canadian system. To visit relatives or friends, a regular Visitor Visa (also known as a Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV) is issued. The invitation and application must indicate the actual purpose of the visit: who the person is visiting, for how long, and where they intend to live.
This option is suitable for those who, based on their citizenship, require a visa to enter Canada. On the other hand, for some travelers, an eTA is sufficient instead, so it is worth first checking the requirements for your passport and method of travel.
Who can apply for a visitor visa to Canada
There is no list of ""correct"" relatives for a Canadian visitor visa. You can visit your parents, children, brother or sister, partner, friends, and other people living in Canada. What is more important is not the degree of relationship, but how plausibly the trip itself is explained.
IRCC will look to see if The applicant's funds for the visit, their ties to their country of residence, and whether there are any grounds for ineligibility for entry into Canada. Therefore, two people with the same invitations may receive different decisions: not only the host party, but also each guest's situation is assessed.
What documents are needed for a visitor visa to Canada?
IRCC does not provide a ""universal set of documents for all visitors."" After selecting the purpose of the trip, the system generates a personalized list, and the package itself must show three things: who is traveling, with whom, and with what funds. But basically, it should contain:
- Passport;
- Residency status in the country of residence (if applying outside the country of citizenship);
- A photo taken in accordance with all requirements listed on the IRCC website:
- Bank statements and other proof of the applicant's financial status;
- Documents Work, study, business, family, and/or property information that demonstrates ties to the country of residence;
- Information about previous trips and visas;
- Travel plan with expected dates;
- An invitation from a person in Canada, if used in the case;
- Proof of relationship or communication with the inviter;
- Documents confirming the host's status in Canada;
- Additional documents from the personal IRCC checklist.
If the inviter is covering part of the expenses, confirmation from them will be required. Documents proving kinship can range from birth or marriage certificates to correspondence and joint photographs when there is no formal family relationship.
Requirements for an invitation to Canada
The invitation is written by the person who lives in Canada. A notarized document of several pages is not required: IRCC prioritizes specificity and consistency with the guest's application. However, the host will still need to gather some information:
- Full details of the inviter and their address in Canada;
- Proof of citizenship or permanent resident status;
- Details of the person being invited;
- The nature of the relationship between the parties;
- Purpose and intended dates of travel;
- Residential address of the guest;
- Information about who is paying for travel, accommodation, and other expenses;
- Intended date of departure from Canada.
A Canadian visa is not issued based on this invitation letter alone. It helps confirm the purpose of the visit, but IRCC still evaluates the applicant separately. and their right to temporary entry.
How to apply for a visitor visa to Canada
The main work takes place in the IRCC personal account. There, the applicant fills out information about themselves and their trip, attaches an invitation and other documents, pays the fees, and submits everything for review.
From there, IRCC itself will inform you of the requirements for a specific case. Some people only need to submit biometrics, while others may be required to provide additional documents, a medical examination, or an interview.
If the decision is positive, the applicant is sent instructions for submitting their passport. The visa is affixed to the passport after approval, so the letter from IRCC itself is not yet a valid travel document.
Do I need to submit biometrics?
For a visitor visa, biometrics are required for most applicants. After submitting, IRCC sends a letter with instructions, after which the application must be submitted. Fingerprints and a photograph must be taken at an official biometrics collection center. A separate digital photo with a white background must also be uploaded to your personal account on the website.
If biometrics have already been submitted for a Canadian Visitor Visa, Study Permit, or Work Permit, it is typically valid for 10 years and does not require a repeat application. Children under 14 and applicants over 79 are also exempt from this requirement.
How long does it take to process a Canadian visitor visa?
There is no standard processing time: IRCC calculates it separately for each country the applicant is applying from. The published processing time is a guideline, not a guarantee. It depends on the workload, completeness of the application, and the need for additional checks.
If IRCC requests new documents, a medical examination, or an interview, the processing time may be delayed. Therefore, it is best to check the current processing time immediately before submitting via the official Processing service. Times.
Visitor Visa Processing Cost
IRCC charges 100 CAD per person for processing a visitor visa. If biometrics are required, an additional 85 CAD is added. For a family of five or more applying at the same time, the visa fee is capped at 500 CAD, and the family biometrics fee is a maximum of 170 CAD.
This fee is for processing the application, so it is non-refundable if it is refused. You will have to pay the visa fee again when reapplying.
Why a Visitor Visa to Canada May Be Denied
For IRCC, it is important that the trip appears temporary and logical. If the applicant cannot clearly explain the purpose of the visit, length of stay, expenses, or source of funds, the officer has reason to doubt the application.
Ties to the country of residence are assessed separately. Work, family, property, and other circumstances help Demonstrate that the person will actually return home after the trip. A visit that is too long can also raise questions if it doesn't align with the stated purpose.
Past immigration violations, criminal records, hidden refusals, and false statements can all be problems. Fortunately, IRCC has recently begun providing reasons for refusal, and for most visitor visas, it also sends officer notes with a more detailed explanation. Therefore, before resubmitting, you can first understand what exactly IRCC didn't like and then correct any weak points in your application.
Why Apply for a Visitor Visa through a Visa Agency
When applying for a visitor visa, it's easy to get confused between the documents of the applicant and the host. Visa Agency helps you assemble both parts so that they don't contradict each other:
- We check the applicant and the inviter's situation;
- We help prepare the invitation;
- We check the financials Documents;
- We complete the application and upload the files to IRCC;
- We schedule your biometrics;
- We respond to additional IRCC inquiries;
- We analyze the reasons for refusal and prepare a resubmission, if necessary.
However, the decision is always up to IRCC. Our goal is to ensure your application is clear, complete, and free of any unnecessary errors. See for yourself: request a free consultation, during which Visa Agency experts will analyze your case and increase your chances of traveling to Canada to visit friends or family!
