Family Visit Visa For Canada

If you’re considering visiting a relative in Canada at some point in the future, you may need to get a Family Visit Visa. This visa will allow you to enter Canada and stay for a specific period of time, depending on your circumstances. There are many factors that will influence whether or not you’ll be issued a Family Visit Visa, including how much proof you can provide that your trip is an important one. The more convincing evidence you’ve got prepared, the better your chances of being issued the visa.Family visit visas are applicable to you in case you want to be accompanied by any of your immediate family while they come to Canada. If you already have a job or business here, under this type of visa, you can be reunited with your parents, grandparents, spouse, common-law partner and children (including adopted children and stepchildren).

Family Visit Visa For Canada

If you’re a Canadian resident and your family outside Canada wants to visit you, they need to apply for a visitor visa. This is because only temporary residents (immigrants) are eligible to apply for a study or work permit. There are several different types of visitor visas available during which the applicants will stay in Canada for different periods of time and with different purposes.The following information is available to help you if you want to sponsor a family member or other individual ( foreign national ) who wants to come and visit you in Canada .

Overview

Application package

This application package has:

an instruction guide, and
the forms you need to fill out.

The instruction guide:

has information you must know before you submit your application, and
explains how to fill out the forms and gather your supporting documents.

Read the instruction guide completely and then fill out each of the applicable forms.

The forms are designed with questions that will help the processing of your application.

Symbols used in this guide

This guide uses these symbols to draw your attention to important information:

What you must do to have your application processed.

Important information that you need to know to avoid delays or other problems.

Where to get more information.

Note: Tips that will help you with this application.

Before you apply

Who may use this application guide?

Use this application guide if you wish to apply for a temporary resident visa from outside Canada.

Note: The processing time of an application may vary from one visa office to another. Find out more about application processing times.

Who are Visitors?

Visitors are persons who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and are legally authorized to enter Canada to:

visit Canada on holiday (vacation),
visit family,
conduct business, etc.

Visitors are restricted in length of stay and subject to various conditions.

Do I need a Temporary Resident Visa?

Persons who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada may require a visa to enter Canada. The requirement for a visa also applies to temporary residents who are transiting in Canada. Find out if you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa.

If you do not require a visa to enter Canada, you may require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Find out if you need an eTA.

What is a Temporary Resident Visa?

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also referred to as a visitor visa, is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (either as a visitor, a student, or a worker).

Important information: You must obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) before your departure. You cannot obtain one upon arrival in Canada.

What are the requirements you must meet for a TRV?

You must show the officer that you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and that you will be in Canada for a temporary stay.

You must also:

satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay,
show that you have enough money to maintain yourself and your family members in Canada and to return home,
not intend to work or study in Canada unless authorized to do so,
be law abiding and have no record of criminal activity,
not be a risk to the security of Canada,
provide any additional document requested by the officer to establish your admissibility, and
be in good health (complete a medical examination if required).

What if I was previously granted permanent resident status?

If you have ever been granted permanent residence or landed immigrant status in Canada, you may still be a permanent resident. We cannot issue you a TRV if you are a permanent resident.

You may instead want to apply for Travel Document (Permanent Resident Abroad). If you meet the requirements for a travel document, you can return to Canada as a permanent resident.

If you no longer want to be a permanent resident, or if you know you do not meet the requirements to keep your permanent resident status, you can voluntarily give up (renounce) your permanent resident status in order to apply for a TRV.

Voluntary Renunciation of PR status applications must be sent in a separate envelope by mail to the visa office.

We recommend that you apply for Voluntary Renunciation of your PR status first, and apply for your TRV once you receive the approval of your Voluntary Renunciation.

Entry to Canada

Important information: Entry to Canada is a privilege, not a right. You must meet the necessary requirements and you may need a Temporary Resident Visa.

Family member definitions

Your family members include your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent children and any children that are their dependent children.Spouse

Refers to either of the two persons (opposite or same gender) in a marriage legally recognized in the country in which it took place, as well as in Canada.

Proxy, telephone, fax, internet and similar forms of marriage where one or both parties were not physically present are not considered as valid spousal relationships under the Regulations. For more information, consult our policy on the legality of a marriage.Common-law partnerRefers to a person who is living in a conjugal relationship with another person (opposite or same gender), and has done so continuously for a period of at least one year. A conjugal relationship exists when there is a significant degree of commitment between two people.

This can be shown with evidence that the couple share the same home, support each other financially and emotionally, have children together, or present themselves in public as a couple.

Common-law partners who have been in a conjugal relationship for at least one year but are unable to live together or appear in public together because of legal restrictions in their home country or who have been separated for reasons beyond their control (for example, civil war or armed conflict) may still qualify and should be included on the application.Dependent children

We assess your child’s eligibility as a dependant based on how old they were at a specific point in time, called the lock-in date. This is usually the date we received your application. To see if your child qualifies as a dependant, we consider the age of your child on the lock-in date, even though your child’s age may change during processing.

Your child or the child of your spouse or common-law partner can be considered a dependent child if that child meets the requirements below on the lock-in date:

They’re under 22 years old, and
They don’t have a spouse or common-law partner

Children 22 years old or older qualify as dependants if they meet both of these requirements:

They have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22, and
They are unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition

With the exception of age, dependants must continue to meet these requirements until we finish processing your application.

Not sure if your child is a dependant? Check if your child qualifies by answering a few questions.

If your child’s age was locked in on or before October 23, 2017, a previous definition of dependent children may apply.Dependent child of a dependent childRefers to children of dependent children of the applicant and those of the spouse or common-law partner, if applicable.

Do I have to apply separately for my family members?

Family members must complete their own application forms. However, you may submit your applications together online or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) and use one payment receipt for the total amount.

Your spouse or common-law partner and children must meet all of the requirements for temporary residence in Canada.

Are there medical requirements?

If you plan to visit or study for six months or less:

You usually do not need a medical exam.

If you plan to visit or study for more than six months:

You will need a medical exam if you:

have lived temporarily for six or more months in a row
- in any of these countries or territories
- in the one year immediately before the date you want to enter Canada. (This applies even if you are a citizen of a country that does not need a visa to enter Canada.)

Regardless of the length of time you are in Canada, you will need a medical exam if you wish to work in one of the following fields:

a designated occupation, such as the field of health services or with children. Examples of designated occupations include hospital staff, clinical laboratory workers, patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes, and medical and dental students admitted to attend Canadian universities;
to work in agricultural occupations, you will need a medical exam if you have lived in certain countries or territories.

You and your family members may need a medical exam to come to Canada. Find out more by checking the Medical examination requirements for temporary residents.

You may either:

have an upfront medical exam by contacting a Panel Physician; or
wait until your application is reviewed and medical instructions are given to you by the visa office.

Get the instructions to complete the medical exam.

When medical results are submitted up front, routine cases benefit from faster processing since we do not have to ask for them at a later date. This is done at your own cost and does not influence the final decision on your application. If you have an upfront medical exam, you must submit proof that you completed the medical exam with your application. Failure to do so may result in processing delays.

Biometric (fingerprints and photo) requirements

You may need to appear in person to have your fingerprints and photograph (biometric information) taken at a biometric collection service point. If your family members are also applying, they may need to appear in person to have their biometric information taken as well.

If you’re in Canada as a visitor and you apply for an initial study or work permit, you need to give your biometrics. As of December 3, 2019, you need to give biometrics when you apply from within Canada. You can go to a designated Service Canada location.

Find out if you need to give biometrics.

Note: If you need to give biometric fingerprints and photo, you do not need to include paper photos with your application.

How often do you give your biometrics

You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years. You don’t need to give your biometrics again until the 10-year period expires.

If you gave biometrics in the past as part of an application for a visitor visa, work or study permit and they are still valid, you don’t need to give them again for this application.

Find out if your biometrics are still valid and when they expire by using the Check Biometric Status Tool.

When to give your biometrics

If you submit your application online or by mail.

You can give your biometrics after you:

pay for and submit your application and biometric fees, and
get a biometric instruction letter (BIL) that will direct you to a list of official locations you may choose from. You are encouraged to give your biometrics as soon as possible after getting the BIL.

If you submit your application in person at a visa application centre (VAC)

You may be able to book an appointment in advance to give your biometrics at the same time that you submit your application at a VAC. If you can’t give your biometrics when you submit your application you will have to make an appointment at the VAC to give them at a later date.

Where to give your biometrics

You need to book an appointment to give your biometrics at one of these official biometric collection service points.

We’ll start processing your application after we get your biometrics.

Can I work or study during my stay in Canada?

Visitors are not allowed to work or study in Canada unless they are authorized to do so under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. In many cases, a work or study permit will be required.

A temporary resident may also take a program of study up to six months duration without having to obtain a study permit.

Information about the parent and grandparent super visa

About the super visa

The multiple-entry super visa allows parents and grandparents to

enter Canada multiple times
stay in Canada for a period of up to 5 years on each entry

Important information: Applicants who do not normally require a visa to enter Canada must also submit an application to a visa office. See section below for visa-exempt applicants.

Who may apply for a super visa?

To apply for a super visa, you must either be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.

You cannot include your dependent children in this application. If your spouse or common-law partner want to come with you, they need to also submit an application.

How do I apply for a super visa?

To apply for a super visa, you need to submit an application to a visa office and provide

a letter of invitation written and signed by your child or grandchild promising financial support for the entire duration of your stay in Canada.
- You must also include your host child or host grandchild’s family composition (dependents, including spouse, children or other relatives that are financially dependent on your host child or host grandchild).
one of the following documents to prove that your child or grandchild meets the low income cut-off (LICO) minimum (The Canadian or permanent resident spouse or common-law partner of your child or grandchild may co-sign the invitation letter to meet the LICO minimum):
- The most recent copy of their federal income tax notice of assessment. If your child or grandchild does not have a paper copy of their notice of assessment, they can view (and print) their tax returns as well as other personal tax information using the Canada Revenue Agency’s My Account online service. To register or login, visit My Account.
- The most recent copy of the child or grandchild’s T4 or T1.
- An original letter from child’s or grandchild’s employer stating their job title, job description and salary.
- The child or grandchild’s employment insurance benefit statements, including
  - a letter from an accountant confirming annual income, if self-employed
  - proof of other sources of income (for example, pension statement, investments)
evidence of the parent or grandparent relationship to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident you wish to visit (such as a birth certificate, baptismal certificate or other official documents naming you as parent or grandparent)
proof that you have private medical insurance valid for a minimum of 1 year from a Canadian insurance company and that
- is paid in full (quotes aren’t accepted)
- covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation
- provides a minimum coverage of $100,000, and
- is valid for each entry to Canada and will be available for review by a border services officer, upon request

After you apply, you will also need to undergo a medical examination and provide proof of the results.

You will be required to appear in person to have your biometric fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a biometric collection service point.

Visa-exempt applicants

You are not required to pay the application processing fee or provide your biometrics.

If your application is approved, you will be directed to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA). You will be provided with a letter that you will show to a border services officer upon arrival to Canada.

What must my child or grandchild do to meet the LICO minimum?

You child or grandchild’s income must meet or exceed the minimum necessary cut off, as identified annually in the income table.

In the letter of invitation they must calculate their family size. This factor determines the amount of income required to provide care and support for you and your spouse, if applicable.

How to calculate family size:

Your child or grandchild counts
- themselves
- their spouse or common-law partner
- their dependent children
- any person they may have sponsored previously and for whom the sponsorship agreement and undertaking are still in effect
They count the number of persons they will be supporting
- you, and
- your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one
They add together the number of persons covered by steps 1 and 2. The total represents their family size.
They look at the LICO in the income table in this guide to determine if they meet the minimum required for their family size.
To demonstrate that they meet the minimum income required, your child or grandchild may include one of the documents listed in the document checklist (IMM 5484).

If your child or grandchild does not meet the LICO minimum, their spouse or common-law partner can assist by also providing a letter of invitation with one of the documents listed in the document checklist (IMM 5484).

Step 1. Gather documents

What documents are required?

If you are outside of Canada, use the Document Checklist [IMM 5484] (PDF, 1.12 MB) to assist you in gathering the required documents to submit your application.

Some visa offices may require additional supporting documents specific to your country. For further information, check the Application for a Visitor Visa page.

If you are inside Canada, you must use the Document checklist – Applicants in Canada [IMM 5721] (PDF, 0.91 MB) to gather the documents required to submit your application to the Case Processing Centre – Ottawa (CPC-O).

Important information: If you do not provide all the requested information or documents, the processing of your application could be delayed.

Minors travelling alone

Minors (under 18 years of age) travelling alone or with a person other than their parents or legal guardians should have a letter of authorization, preferably in English or French, signed by both parents or legal guardians. It should also include the name of the adult who will be responsible for the children in Canada.

Minors travelling with only one parent or legal guardian should have a letter of authorization, preferably in English or French, from the non accompanying parent or guardian.

Translation of documents

You must submit the following for any document that is not in English or French, unless otherwise stated on your document checklist:

the English or French translation; and
an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they’re not a certified translator); and
a certified copy of the original document.

small exclamation warning sign Important information: Translations must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by an applicant’s parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin.

If the translation is not done by a certified translator (a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial association of translators and interpreters in Canada), you must submit an affidavit swearing to the accuracy of the translation and the language proficiency of the translator.

An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths in the country where the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document.

Translators who are certified in Canada don’t need to supply an affidavit.

The affidavit must be sworn in the presence of:

In Canada:

a notary public
a commissioner of oaths
a commissioner of taking affidavits

Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Consult your local provincial or territorial authorities.

Outside of Canada:

a notary public

Authority to administer oaths varies by country. Consult your local authorities.

Certified true copies

To have a photocopy of a document certified, an authorized person must compare the original document to the photocopy and must print all of the following on the photocopy:

“I certify that this is a true copy of the original document”
the name of the original document
the date of the certification
their name
their official position or title
their signature

Who can certify copies?

Only authorized people can certify copies.

Important information: Certifying of copies must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by an applicant’s parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin.

People authorized to certify copies include the following:

In Canada:

a notary public
a commissioner of oaths
a commissioner of taking affidavits

Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Check with your local provincial or territorial authorities to learn who has the authority to certify.

Outside Canada:

a notary public

Authority to certify international documents varies by country. Check with your local authorities to learn who has the authority to certify in your country.

Step 2. Complete the application

Filling out the application

The following are the forms that must be filled out and submitted:

Note: You may be required to complete additional supporting documents upon request of a visa officer.

Important information: It is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on these forms. The information you provide on your application is subject to verification.

Important information

Be complete and accurate

Complete all sections. If a section does not apply to you, write “Not Applicable” or “NA”, except for your name (last name and given name[s]). Refer to questions 1 and 2 under “Personal Details” section for further instructions. The application must be signed and dated.

If your application is incomplete it may be rejected and this will delay the processing of your application.

If you need more space for any section, print out an additional page containing the appropriate section, complete it and submit it along with your application.

Application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257)

Who must fill out this application form?

This form must be completed by each person applying for a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada.

Note

Fill out the form

You must answer all the questions on this form unless instructed otherwise.

Download and fill out the form on a computer.

You also have the option to save your form and fill it out later.

Note: Filling out the form on a computer is easier and reduces mistakes that can slow down the application process.

Read and follow the questions below to help you fill out the form.Question 1Type your universal client identification number (UCI), if known. Otherwise, leave it blank. If this is your first time dealing with us you will not have a UCI.Question 2From the list, select the language (English or French) in which you would like to receive your service.Question 3From the list, select the type of visa you are applying for:

Visitor visa: official document issued by a visa office that is placed in the passport which allows you to seek entry to Canada.
Transit Visa: is required for persons travelling through Canada for less than 48 hours on their way to another country.Note: To obtain a transit visa you must provide specific evidence of your travel itinerary from your transportation company or travel agent.

Personal Details

Question 1

Full name

Type your family name (surname) exactly as shown on your passport or travel document (even if the name is misspelled). Do not use initials.

Note: If you do not have a family name on your passport or travel document, enter all your given names here and leave the given name field blank.

Type all of your given names (first, second, or more) exactly as shown on your passport or travel document (even if the name is misspelled). Do not use initials.

Note: If you do not have a given name on your passport or travel document, leave this field blank. Do not enter “*”, “Not applicable” or “NA”.Question 2

Nick names or Alias

Check the box to tell us if you have ever used any other name. This could include your birth name, maiden name, married name, nick name, etc.

If you checked “Yes”, type any other family name that you have ever used.

If you checked “Yes”, type any other given name (first, second, or more) that you have ever used.Question 3

Choose your gender (F-Female, M-Male or X-Another gender).

Note: If you choose a gender identifier that is different than what you currently have or have had on your Canadian temporary resident document (visa, electronic travel authorization, work permit, study permit or visitor record), you need to complete the Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier form and send it with your application. If you’ve never had a Canadian temporary resident document but you intend to apply for one and you identify with a gender that is different than what appears on your foreign travel document or passport, you also need to complete the Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier form and send it with your application. No supporting documents are required.Question 4

Enter your date of birth. If your entire date of birth is unknown, please use ‘*’ (star sign or asterisk) to fill in the spaces for the year, month or day, where applicable.Question 5

Note, if your city, town, or country or territory of birth is indicated in your passport or your travel document, please record it as it appears in the document.Question 6

Choose your country or territory of citizenship. To be a citizen of a country or territory means that you were either born in that country or territory (in most cases) or have been granted citizenship by that country or territory. If you are a citizen of more than one country or territory, choose the country or territory that issued the passport you will be using for this trip.