Use this checklist to prepare your Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) application. Additional documents may be requested based on your specific situation and current IRCC requirements.

Super visa for parents and grandparents have different requirements, refer to super visa checklist for super visa applications.

Principal Applicant: Required Documents

Identity Documents

Valid passport

  • All biography pages

  • All pages with visas and entry/exit stamps

  • Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay

Digital photo

Application Forms

Complete these online forms for YCI to help draft your application:

Representative documents (provided by YCI before submission):

  • Representative Submission Letter

  • Use of Representative Form (IMM5476)

Personal Documents

If applicable:

  • Marriage certificate or license

  • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union

  • Previous travel history (boarding passes, visa stamps, travel records)

Educational Documents

All academic credentials since Grade 10:

  • Semester mark sheets and transcripts

  • Degree and diploma certificates

  • Professional certifications

  • Academic achievements and awards

Employment Documents

If you have employment history, provide as many of the following as available:

Current employment:

  • Letter from employer confirming position, salary, length of employment, and approved leave dates

  • Employment contract

  • Recent pay stubs (last 6 months)

  • Leave of absence approval letter (if available)

Employment history:

  • Experience letters from previous employers

  • Joining letters

  • Promotion confirmation letters

  • Current resume or CV (optional, but recommend)

Self-employed:

  • Business registration documents

  • Tax returns for business

  • Professional licenses

Financial Documents

Demonstrate you have sufficient funds for your visit and ties to return home.

Personal Financial Documents

Bank accounts:

  • Bank statements for past 6 months (all accounts)

Investments and assets:

  • Fixed deposits (FDs), bonds, stocks

  • Mutual funds or investment portfolios

  • Property ownership documents

  • Rental income proof (if applicable)

Tax documents:

  • Income tax returns (3 years recommended)

  • Tax assessment notices

  • GST/VAT returns (if self-employed)

Net worth:

  • Net worth certificate from chartered accountant

  • Property valuation documents (if not included in net worth certificate)

Family Financial Documents

You may include financial documents from:

  • Spouse (whether applying together or not)

  • Children's savings or investments

  • Joint family assets

This strengthens your application by showing overall family financial stability.

Financial Sponsor Documents

If someone is sponsoring your trip (parents, siblings, in-laws, friends in Canada), provide:

Sponsor's commitment:

  • Gift deed or affidavit of financial support

  • Invitation letter (if sponsor is in Canada)

  • Proof of relationship to sponsor

Sponsor's financial documents:

  • Bank statements (6 months)

  • Investment documents (FDs, bonds, stocks etc.)

  • Proof of fund transfers (if already sent to you)

  • Net worth certificate (optional)

  • Employment letter and income proof

Purpose of Visit Documents

Provide clear evidence of why you need to visit Canada and your intention to return home.

Tourism Visit

  • Detailed travel itinerary with dates and destinations

  • Hotel bookings or accommodation confirmations

  • Tour package bookings (if applicable)

  • Confirmed return flight tickets (if already booked)

Visiting Family or Friends

  • Invitation letter from host in Canada including:

    • Host's immigration status in Canada

    • Relationship to you

    • Purpose and duration of visit

    • Host's contact information and address

  • Copy of host's Canadian status document (citizenship, PR card, study permit, work permit)

Attending an Event

  • Conference or event registration confirmation

  • Event schedule and details

  • Hotel and travel bookings

  • Registration fee payment receipt

Business Visit

  • Invitation letter from Canadian company or organization

  • Business meeting schedule

  • Conference or trade show registration

  • Letter from your employer approving business travel

Taking an Exam

  • Exam registration confirmation

  • Confirmed exam date and location

  • Exam fee payment receipt

  • Accommodation bookings

Medical Treatment

  • Medical appointment confirmation from Canadian healthcare provider

  • Doctor's letter explaining treatment needed

  • Proof of payment or financial arrangements for treatment

  • Medical reports from home country

Other Purposes

  • Any documents supporting your specific reason for visiting

  • Cover letter explaining your travel plans and reasons to return home

Ties to Home Country

Demonstrate strong reasons to return to your home country after your visit.

Employment ties:

  • Employment letter with approved leave dates

  • Return-to-work confirmation

  • Business ownership documents

Family ties:

  • Marriage certificate

  • Children's birth certificates (if children staying home)

  • Property ownership

  • Elderly parents or dependents requiring your care

Financial ties:

  • Active business operations

  • Property ownership

  • Ongoing financial obligations (mortgage, loans)

  • Employment commitments

Social ties:

  • Community involvement and volunteering

  • Club memberships

  • Educational enrollment (if returning to studies)

Dependent Spouse Documents

If your spouse is traveling with you, provide:

Identity documents:

Application forms:

Supporting documents:

  • Educational documents since Grade 10

  • Employment documents similar to the applicant as outlined above (if employed)

  • Travel history

  • Proof of relationship (marriage certificate)

Dependent Children Documents

Include these documents for each dependent child traveling with you.

Who Qualifies as a Dependent Child

Under Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, a dependent child is:

  • Under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship, or

  • 22 years or older who has depended on parental financial support since before age 22 and cannot be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental condition

Documents for Each Child

Identity documents:

Application form:

Supporting documents:

  • Birth certificate

  • Travel history (if applicable)

  • School enrollment letter (if school-age)

Cover Letter

A strong cover letter should address:

Your background:

  • Current employment or business

  • Family situation

  • Financial stability

Purpose of visit:

  • Why you want to visit Canada

  • Specific plans and itinerary

  • Duration of stay

Ties to home country:

  • Employment commitments

  • Family responsibilities

  • Property and assets

  • Reasons you will return home

Financial capacity:

  • How you will fund your trip

  • Sponsor information (if applicable)

  • Available funds for travel expenses

YCI service: Our team will review and help finalize your cover letter when we represent your application.

Signature Authorization (Optional)

Provide a clear signature on plain white paper using a blue ballpoint pen for digital insertion, or manually sign printed forms and send scanned copies.

Document Quality Standards

All documents must be:

  • Clear and legible

  • Complete with all pages

  • In color if original is in color

  • Properly oriented

  • Showing all four corners

Translations: Documents not in English or French require certified translations with original documents.

Financial Requirements

While there is no official minimum amount, IRCC expects you to demonstrate sufficient funds for:

Estimated costs per person:

  • Living expenses: $150-250 CAD per day

  • Accommodation: $200-400 CAD per night (if not staying with family)

  • Transportation within Canada

  • Return airfare

  • Emergency funds

General guideline: Have at least $2,000-3,000 CAD available per person per week of stay, plus travel costs.

Stronger applications show:

  • Multiple sources of funds

  • Consistent savings patterns over time

  • Income that exceeds expenses

  • Ongoing financial obligations requiring return home

Processing Fees

Application fees:

  • Visitor visa: $100 CAD per person

  • Family rate (5+ people): $500 CAD maximum

  • Biometrics fee: $85 CAD per person or $170 CAD per family