Visitor visas · Super Visa · Family visits
Visit Canada.Prepare with clarity.
Understand what to prepare, how to explain your trip and what your visitor status allows. A practical guide for you and the people you are coming to see.
Find the information you need
Plan a temporary visit with confidence.
A visitor visa, also called a temporary resident visa (TRV), is a travel document placed in your passport. Whether you need one depends on your nationality, travel document and circumstances. Use IRCC’s official travel-document checker before applying.
Tourism and personal visits
Plan a holiday, visit family or friends, or attend a personal event. Explain why you are travelling and how long you realistically need to stay.
A temporary purpose
Your application should connect your itinerary, available money and personal circumstances. A Canadian invitation does not replace your own eligibility.
Official guidance: Visitor visa overview ↗
Three documents that people often confuse.
| Document or permission | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa / TRV | Allows a visa-required traveller to travel to a Canadian port of entry and request admission. | Does not guarantee entry or authorize living in Canada until its expiry date. |
| Authorized stay | The period you are allowed to remain after admission. Check the border officer’s instructions and documents. | Is not automatically the same as the validity of the visa sticker. |
| Visitor record | Records conditions and a date by which you must leave; it can be issued when extending a visit. | Is not a visa and does not guarantee re-entry after travel. |
Official guidance: Visitor records and authorized stay ↗
What does IRCC assess?
You need a valid passport or other accepted travel document, sufficient funds and a temporary visit that makes sense. The officer must be satisfied that you will leave at the end of your authorized stay. Admissibility, including health, criminality and immigration history, also matters.
Purpose and duration
Describe the reason for the trip and explain why the proposed length is reasonable.
Money and support
Show how travel, accommodation and daily expenses will be paid, including any documented host support.
Circumstances outside Canada
Relevant employment, studies, business, family responsibilities or other commitments can help explain your plans to leave.
A consistent record
Your forms, financial records, invitation and explanations should agree. Disclose material immigration history accurately.
Official guidance: Visitor visa eligibility ↗
Make the trip easy to understand.
| Visit type | Useful evidence to consider |
|---|---|
| Tourism | A practical itinerary, approximate costs and accommodation plans suited to your budget. |
| Family or friends | Invitation, relationship evidence, host information and the reason for visiting at this time. |
| Wedding or graduation | Event details, dates, relationship to the participant and a reasonable travel schedule. |
| Visiting a student or worker | The host’s current status and school or employment information, with a clear temporary visit plan. |
| Conference or business meeting | Organizer or company invitation, agenda, business connection and evidence of the proposed activities. |
These are examples, not a universal checklist. A two-week holiday and a longer family visit need different explanations. Avoid adding unrelated documents simply to make the application larger.
Example: a three-week family visit
Explain whose home you will stay in, why those dates work, what you intend to do, who pays for each expense and what commitments you expect to resume afterwards. Match the invitation and leave approval to that timeline.
Prepare a complete, readable application.
Identity and travel history
Passport and requested identity pages, relevant previous travel records, current residence status if applying outside your country of citizenship, and required photographs.
Trip and accommodation
Purpose-of-visit explanation, itinerary, event details and accommodation arrangements. Include an invitation when relevant.
Finances
Account and income evidence, explanations of significant deposits and records of financial support where someone else pays.
Personal circumstances
Relevant employment, business, school, family or other evidence explaining your circumstances and planned return.
Host documents
Relationship evidence, host contact details, Canadian status and relevant accommodation or financial-support information.
Additional requirements
Required forms, translations, child consent or custody documents, and medical or police documents when applicable or requested.
Follow the checklist generated for your application and any country-specific instructions. Not every document above is required in every case. Keep a complete copy of the submitted file.
Official guidance: Application documents and instructions ↗
What should your Canadian host include?
A useful invitation explains the relationship and the actual arrangements. The host should include:
- The visitor’s name, date of birth, address and contact details.
- The purpose, intended dates and length of the visit.
- Where the visitor will stay and who will pay the expenses.
- The host’s name, date of birth, Canadian address, phone number and job title.
- A photocopy of the host’s status document, and the names and dates of birth of the host’s spouse or partner and dependants.
- The relationship between the host and visitor and the intended departure plan.
The host should sign a truthful letter and keep the promises described. An invitation does not guarantee approval or replace the visitor’s own evidence.
Official guidance: IRCC invitation-letter guidance ↗
How much money should you show?
There is no single standard bank balance that guarantees an ordinary visitor visa. The required resources depend on the trip, accommodation arrangements and number of travellers. Prepare a realistic budget and explain the source and availability of the funds.
| Illustrative three-week trip | Example budget (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Return flights | $1,800 |
| Accommodation with family | $0 paid by the visitor; host provides a room |
| Food and local transportation | $900 |
| Activities and incidental costs | $500 |
| Illustrative travel medical insurance allowance | $200 |
| Contingency | $600 |
| Total planning example | $4,000 |
This is an illustration, not a minimum or price quote. Replace each figure with actual research for your route, season and circumstances. Include the host’s costs when assessing whether their support is credible.
Explain the evidence behind the balance
- Connect savings to employment, business, pension, rental income or other genuine sources.
- Explain substantial recent deposits and transfers with relevant records.
- Distinguish liquid funds from property or assets that would need to be sold.
- Where a relative helps, explain the relationship, amount of support and their ability to provide it.
- Do not count the same funds in more than one account or budget category.
Official guidance: Funds assessed according to the visit ↗
Present meaningful reasons for leaving on time.
Think about the commitments that shape your real life. The goal is to explain them clearly, not to collect a prescribed number of “ties.”
| Circumstance | Evidence you might discuss with your consultant |
|---|---|
| Employment | Role, service history, approved leave and expected return to duties. |
| Business ownership | Current operations, responsibilities, commercial records and arrangements during your absence. |
| Education | Current enrolment, term dates and expected return to study. |
| Family responsibilities | Genuine responsibilities and family arrangements supported by relevant records. |
| Retirement | Pension or savings, regular activities, family circumstances and a realistic travel plan. |
Property ownership, marriage or travel history is not an approval formula. Applicants without a conventional employment history should explain their circumstances honestly rather than manufacture an employment letter.
Organize your local documents clearly.
Swodeshi’s Edmonton and Dhaka offices support applicants preparing Canadian visitor applications. Useful preparation steps include:
- Compare names, dates of birth and spellings across passports and civil records.
- Prepare compliant translations for Bangla documents and retain the original-language copies.
- Explain the relationship between income evidence, account balances and the proposed budget.
- For business owners, select records that demonstrate actual operations and income.
- Disclose previous immigration refusals in accordance with the questions asked.
- Follow current visa-office and application-account instructions instead of an old checklist circulated online.
Suggested file names: “FirstName LastName – Passport,” “FirstName LastName – Financial Evidence” and “FirstName LastName – Purpose of Visit.” Group related records logically and check every scanned page for legibility.
From preparation to a decision.
- Confirm the travel-document routeUse the official instructions to determine whether you need a visa, eTA or another document.
- Prepare your evidenceBuild the trip plan, budget and relevant supporting records. Resolve inconsistent information before filing.
- Complete the applicationUse the applicable IRCC online route, answer every question accurately, upload the required documents and pay the fees.
- Follow biometrics instructionsIf instructed, book the collection appointment and complete it within the stated deadline.
- Monitor requestsCheck your account and email. IRCC may request further documents, a medical examination, a police certificate or an interview.
- Follow the decision instructionsIf approved, follow passport-submission instructions. If refused, review the reasons before deciding what to do next.
Official guidance: How to apply ↗
Official guidance: Biometrics, requests and decisions ↗
Budget for the application as well as the trip.
The standard visitor visa application fee is CAD $100 per person, to a maximum of CAD $500 for a family of five or more applying together. Biometrics add CAD $85 per person, to a maximum of CAD $170 per family. The Super Visa uses the same amounts, and visa-exempt Super Visa applicants pay neither fee. Check the current official fee list before paying.
Also allow for translations, document preparation, visa application centre services where applicable, courier costs and travel insurance. Swodeshi’s professional fees are explained in a written service agreement.
Consider flexible travel arrangements and understand refund terms before committing to major non-refundable purchases.
Official guidance: Official fees and processing-time links ↗
Prepare consent and custody records.
Children need their own travel documents and any required visa. If travelling with one parent, carry relevant consent from the other parent and supporting identity documents. Custody, guardianship, adoption or death records may be needed depending on the situation.
For a child travelling alone or with another adult, document who has authorized the trip and who will care for the child in Canada. Include reliable contact information and carry the documents when travelling, not only when applying.
Official guidance: IRCC guidance for minor travellers ↗
Compare a visitor visa with a Super Visa.
| Option | Useful distinction |
|---|---|
| Ordinary visitor visa | For temporary visits such as a holiday or family gathering; the authorized stay is determined on entry. |
| Super Visa | For eligible parents and grandparents visiting qualifying children or grandchildren. For entries on or after June 22, 2023 it can permit stays of five years at a time, with an approved extension adding up to two more years. It has separate eligibility, insurance and financial requirements. |
| Family sponsorship | A permanent residence process, distinct from permission for a temporary visit. |
Choose based on the intended stay and eligibility. A parent coming to visit a child who is a student or temporary worker should not assume the Super Visa category applies.
Official guidance: Super Visa overview ↗
More time together with parents and grandparents.
The Super Visa is a temporary residence option for eligible parents and grandparents. Both the visitor and the Canadian host must qualify.
Who can host?
A biological or adopted child or grandchild who is at least 18, lives in Canada and is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian. The host must meet the income rules and sign an invitation.
Who can apply?
An eligible parent or grandparent applying from outside Canada, where the visa is printed. A medical examination and private health insurance are required, alongside admissibility and genuine temporary-visit requirements. You can apply while a parent and grandparent sponsorship application is pending.
Approval is not automatic because your child owns a home or has Canadian status. Explain your intended visit, personal circumstances and departure plans.
Official guidance: Applicant and host eligibility ↗
Check the family count before checking income.
Use IRCC’s current family-size rules and income table. Count the host, relevant partner and dependent children, applicants being invited, and people covered by relevant previous Super Visa invitations or active sponsorship undertakings. A separated spouse still counts, and dependent children count regardless of custody or child-support arrangements. The published amounts are revised periodically, so confirm the current table before filing.
| Current income route | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Option 1 | Host and eligible co-signer income meets the threshold in either of the two tax years preceding submission. Provide CRA notices of assessment. |
| Option 2 | Host and eligible co-signer income meets at least 75% of the threshold in the preceding year. The applicant’s qualifying continuing income may cover the balance. Document the income and that it continues during the Canadian stay. |
Preparation tip: Make a family-count worksheet before gathering financial records. Record names, relationships and any existing commitments. Ask your consultant to resolve uncertain inclusions before using an income threshold.
Official guidance: Current income table, family-size rules and evidence ↗
Check the policy, not just the premium.
Required insurance must provide at least CAD $100,000 in emergency coverage, cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation, and be valid for at least one year from entry. Pay in full or through instalments with a deposit; a quote is insufficient.
Use a Canadian insurer or a qualifying foreign insurer meeting IRCC’s OSFI and Canadian-business requirements. A broker or claims administrator is not an insurance company. The policy must name the issuing company, be valid for each entry and be available to a border services officer on request, so carry proof every time you enter and maintain coverage throughout the stay.
Official guidance: Insurance policy and insurer requirements ↗
Prepare the parent’s and host’s records together.
Alongside the general visitor checklist, gather relationship records, host-status evidence, the signed invitation, income evidence, insurance and proof of an examination by an approved panel physician. The invitation should identify the people in the family-size calculation with names and birth dates. Only a qualifying host spouse or common-law partner may co-sign; siblings cannot.
Parent or grandparent folder
Organize your passport, civil records, travel plan and personal history. Flag differences in names across generations before submitting.
Host folder
Keep the family-count worksheet, invitation and financial records together. Explain clearly where the visitor will live and who will meet daily expenses.
Travel preparation
Keep important documents accessible during travel. Discuss medication arrangements, emergency contacts and how the visitor will obtain medical assistance.
Planning a longer visit
Budget beyond the flight: insurance renewals, living expenses, return travel and unexpected costs. Keep reminders for status and policy expiry dates.
Official guidance: Required documents and local instructions ↗
A meeting is different from entering the labour market.
Business visitors generally maintain their main business and income outside Canada and do not enter the Canadian labour market. Meetings, conferences or trade fairs may fit; the actual activities determine whether work authorization is required.
Prepare an agenda, invitation and explanation of your role and overseas business connection. If the event is registered with IRCC, ask the organizer whether an event code applies. A code identifies the event; it is not an approval guarantee.
Official guidance: Business visitor requirements ↗
A visa does not guarantee admission.
The border officer checks whether you meet entry requirements and determines your authorized stay. Most ordinary visitors are allowed up to six months. The officer may authorize a shorter or a longer period and write the date you must leave by in your passport. Without a stamp, the stay generally runs six months from the day you entered, or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.
- Carry your passport, required travel document, invitation if applicable, accommodation details and supporting trip information.
- Keep evidence of available funds and your departure plans accessible.
- Carry children’s consent or custody documents when relevant.
- Answer questions truthfully and check any stamp, written date or visitor record issued.
Ask for clarification if you are unsure when you must leave. Do not assume that a long-validity or multiple-entry visa lets you remain continuously in Canada.
Official guidance: Admission and authorized stay ↗
Apply for a visitor record before status expires.
If you want to stay longer, apply for a visitor record before your authorized stay ends. IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before expiry. Explain the reason for the additional time, funding, accommodation and updated departure plan.
A qualifying extension application filed before expiry allows you to remain in Canada while the decision is pending under maintained status. It does not provide new work rights or guarantee re-entry after travel.
Official guidance: When to apply for a visitor record ↗
Official guidance: Maintained status while awaiting a decision ↗
Address concerns with evidence.
If refused, begin with the decision letter and any available officer notes. A new invitation or a larger balance may not address the actual concern.
| Review question | Practical focus |
|---|---|
| Was the trip explained? | Clarify the purpose, length and schedule. |
| Was funding credible? | Connect the proposed expenses to accessible resources and their source. |
| Were there contradictions? | Compare forms, letters, employment records and dates. |
| Was the history complete? | Check prior refusals, status issues and personal-history answers. |
| What would change in a new application? | Identify material evidence or a clearer explanation before reapplying. |
Swodeshi can review the concerns and assess appropriate next steps. Keep every previous submission and decision. Never use fabricated employment, altered financial records or false travel history.
How Mehrul Islam Rajib can help.
Assess the proposed visit
Review your purpose, personal circumstances, host arrangements and immigration history.
Prepare a focused file
Identify useful evidence, organize documents and help explain material issues clearly.
Review consistency
Check that forms, letters and financial records support the same factual account.
Support the next step
Assist with government requests, extensions or refusal reviews within the agreed service scope.
Mehrul Islam Rajib, RCIC · Licence R708721
Edmonton and Dhaka · English, Bangla, Hindi and Urdu.
Bring your passport, proposed dates, host details, financial information and previous decisions to the consultation. We explain available services and fees before you retain us. No approval or processing time can be guaranteed.
Practical answers before you apply.
Is a visitor visa the same as a visitor record?
No. The visa is for travel; a visitor record sets conditions and a departure date for your stay. A visitor record is not a replacement visa.
How long can I stay?
Check the period authorized at entry. Most ordinary visitors receive up to six months, but the officer can set a different period.
Is there a guaranteed bank balance for approval?
No. Prepare a budget based on your actual trip and explain how it will be funded. A balance alone does not establish eligibility.
Does my host have to pay for everything?
No. Explain which costs you will pay and what the host will provide. Support commitments should match the evidence.
Does an invitation guarantee a visa?
No. It explains the proposed visit and host arrangements; IRCC still assesses the applicant.
Can I apply without family in Canada?
A tourist visit does not require a family host. Explain your itinerary, accommodation and funding arrangements.
Should I buy tickets before applying?
Consider the risk of refusal or delay before making non-refundable purchases. Use a credible proposed itinerary and follow the actual document instructions.
Can retirees apply?
Retirement alone does not determine the outcome. Explain your income, personal circumstances, purpose and intended return.
What if I do not own property?
Explain your actual circumstances. Property ownership is not an approval formula; other relevant evidence may support your plans.
Can I visit a spouse who is studying or working in Canada?
Present the family relationship, host’s status and a credible temporary visit plan. Assess work or study authorization separately.
Can I work on a visitor visa?
A visitor visa itself does not authorize work. Obtain an assessment of the work-permit or exemption rules before undertaking work.
Can I turn a visitor visa into permanent residence?
A visitor visa does not grant permanent residence. Any permanent residence pathway has its own eligibility and application process.
Can my parents use a Super Visa?
Only if the applicant and host meet the Super Visa category’s requirements. It is not available simply because the host lives in Canada.
Can my child travel with only one parent?
Prepare appropriate consent and custody documents and the child’s travel documents. The documents depend on the family’s circumstances.
What if my dates change while the application is pending?
Assess whether the change affects the purpose or supporting evidence and provide updates through the appropriate official channel when needed.
Does biometrics mean the visa is approved?
No. Biometrics is an application step, not the final decision.
Can I travel as soon as I receive passport instructions?
Follow the instructions and wait until the required visa has been placed in your passport before travelling as a visa-required visitor.
Does a new passport guarantee a longer visa?
No. IRCC determines validity based on the circumstances. Follow instructions if your passport changes during processing.
Can I remain until the visa sticker expires?
Not unless your authorized stay permits it. The visa’s validity and your status in Canada are different.
What happens if my extension is still pending at expiry?
A qualifying extension submitted before your status expires allows you to stay while awaiting the decision. Keep proof of timely submission.
Will leaving and returning automatically give me another six months?
No. Admission and the permitted stay are assessed on each entry.
What if my visitor application was refused before?
Disclose the refusal as required and review the reasons. Decide what material evidence or explanation would improve a new application.
Should Bangla documents be translated?
Documents not in English or French must meet the applicable translation instructions. Include the required original-language records and certification.
Can you guarantee approval?
No. Our service is careful assessment and preparation, clear communication and support within the agreed scope.
What should I prepare before booking a consultation?
Your travel purpose and dates, passport and status information, funding outline, host details and any previous applications or decisions.
Is a Super Visa permanent residence?
No. It is for a temporary visit. Parent and grandparent sponsorship is a separate permanent residence process.
Can a temporary worker or student host a Super Visa applicant?
Temporary status alone does not meet the host-status requirement. Consider the ordinary visitor route and assess the circumstances.
Where can I check the Super Visa income amount?
Use the official income table linked in the Super Visa income section. Calculate the family size first and confirm which evidence route applies.
What should I ask an insurance provider?
Ask about eligibility of the policy, coverage dates, exclusions, deductibles, pre-existing conditions, claims and refunds. Retain the policy and payment records.
Can Swodeshi review both the visitor and host documents?
Yes. Bring both sets of records to the consultation so the proposed visit, family details and supporting evidence can be reviewed together.
Make your next visit a well-prepared one.
Speak with Mehrul Islam Rajib, RCIC about your trip, supporting documents and next steps.