“Are you planning to invite your parents to Canada for a visit?” If so, you will need to apply for a visitor visa for them. Many Canadian citizens and permanent residents have non-Canadian parents who would like to visit them from time to time. These parents can come to Canada under a visitor visa.
To apply for a visitor visa, parents must typically fill out forms, gather the required documents, and complete a medical examination. However, the specific requirements vary based on the type of visitor visa the parents are applying for.
Applying for a visitor visa can be a complex and time-consuming process, but with the right guidance and information, you can easily navigate through it. In this guide, we will discuss the eligibility requirements and application process to follow when applying for a visitor visa Canada for parents.
- Purpose: Temporary visit of non-Canadian parents to Canada.
- Eligibility: Varying age requirements, health check, financial self-sufficiency, no criminal history, clear purpose of visit and intent to return.
- Visa Types: Single-entry, Multiple-Entry, Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents, Business Visitor Visa, Tourist Visa.
- Application Documents: Valid passport, completed application form, two passport-sized photos, proof of financial support, travel itinerary, and invitation letter.
- Additional Documents: Medical certificates, police certificates, etc., based on circumstances.
- Tips: Start early, read instructions carefully, double-check information, submit all required documents, and seek professional help.
- Application Process: Determine eligibility, gather documents, complete the form, pay fees ($100 per person), apply, and await decision.
- Processing Times: Vary by country, e.g., approximately 17 days for applicants from India. Urgent processing is possible if eligible.
- Outcome: If approved, a visitor visa is issued, allowing entry into Canada.
Understanding Visitor Visa for Canada
A visitor visa, also known as a temporary resident visa (TRV), is a legal document issued by the Canadian government that allows non-Canadian citizens or permanent residents to enter Canada for a limited period of time, usually up to six months.
Eligibility for Canada Visitor Visa for Parents
Before you apply for a visitor visa for your parents, it is important to determine their eligibility. To be eligible for a visitor visa, your parents must meet the following requirements:
Age Requirements
The age requirements for a Canada Visitor Visa for Parents depend on the type of visa being applied for. Generally, there is no minimum age requirement, but elderly parents may need to provide additional medical documentation to prove their ability to travel and remain healthy during their stay in Canada. However, any dependents accompanying them to Canada must be under 22 and unmarried.
Health Requirements
Visitor visa Canada applicants must pass a medical examination from an approved medical officer. They must also provide medical test results or reports for pre-existing medical conditions.
Applicants applying for a parent Super Visa must demonstrate their medical insurance coverage from a Canadian provider. This coverage should be valid for at least one year from the date they intend to enter Canada and offer a minimum of $100,000 in emergency medical coverage.
Financial Requirements
Your parents must be able to support themselves financially during their stay in Canada. This can include bank statements, proof of employment, and other financial documents. There is no strict finance amount requirement, but each individual should have at least $1,230 for each month they intend to stay in the country.
Parents can bypass this requirement by having their Canadian children write a letter promising to support them financially during their stay in Canada.
Criminal History
Neither parent should have a criminal history. If one of them were convicted of a crime in the past, they would need to write an explanation letter detailing that their conviction was overturned and that they are no longer inadmissible to Canada.
Purpose of Visit
The parents must describe a specific reason why they are visiting Canada. In most cases, they can state that they are simply visiting their child or children who reside in the country. They should state if they intend to visit Canada for a specific event, such as a wedding.
Visa officers may reject parents who can’t provide a convincing explanation, so it is essential to provide precise details of the intended visit.
Intent to Leave Canada
Your parents must prove that they have ties to their home country and plan to return after visiting Canada. This can include a job, a home, or family ties in their home country.
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Different Types of Visitor Visa Available
The following types of visitor visas are available:
| Visitor Visa Name | Issued To | Single Entry or Multiple Entry | Validity Period | Restrictions |
| Single-Entry Visa | Anyone | Single Entry | 6 months | Must not stay in Canada for more than 6 months at a time |
| Multiple-Entry Visa | Anyone | Multiple Entry | Up to 10 years | Must not stay in Canada for more than 6 months at a time |
| Super Visa | Parents and Grandparent | Multiple Entry | Up to 10 years | Must not stay in Canada for more than 5 years at a time |
| Business Visitor Visa | Business people | Multiple Entry | 12 months | Must not stay in Canada for more than 6 months at a time |
| Tourist Visa | Tourists | Single or Multiple Entry | Up to 10 years | Must not stay in Canada for more than 6 months at a time |
Canada Visitor Visa Application Documents
Once your parents have determined their eligibility for a visitor visa, they will need to gather the required documents. The following documents are typically required for a visitor visa application:
Passport
Your parents must have a valid passport to apply for a visitor visa. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay in Canada.
Application Form
Your parents must fill out an application form for a visitor visa. The form can be downloaded from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
Photographs
Your parents will need to provide two passport-sized photographs that meet the IRCC requirements.
Proof of Financial Support
Your parents must provide proof that they have enough money to support themselves during their stay in Canada. This can include bank statements, proof of employment, and other financial documents.
Travel Itinerary
Your parents will need to provide a detailed travel itinerary, including information on their flights, accommodations, and activities while in Canada.
Invitation Letter
You will need to provide an invitation letter for your parents, stating the purpose of their visit, the length of their stay, and your relationship with them.
Other Documents
Additional documents may be required depending on your parents’ specific circumstances. This can include medical certificates, police certificates, and other documents.
Tips to Ensure the Visitor Visa Application Documents are Complete
Parents who intend to apply for a visitor visa application must ensure they provide all the documents required. Some ways to make this process easier include:
Starting Early
Many of the required documents take several days, if not weeks to acquire. For this reason, visitor visa applicants should start gathering them many weeks in advance.
Reading the Instructions Carefully
Visitor visa applicants should read the instructions in the visitor visa application guide carefully to understand the application process, requirements, and special considerations.
Double-Checking Information
It is vital to double-check all the information mentioned in the forms. This reduces the chances of making a mistake that could get the application rejected.
Submitting All the Required Documents
Visitor visa applicants should review the visitor visa document checklist and ensure they submit each of the required documents.
Seeking Professional Help
Parents should seek professional help from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant to optimize their application and eliminate any mistakes. This will improve the chances of their application being approved.
Visitor Visa Application Process
Visitor visa Canada applicants must follow the steps described below to apply for their visa:
Determining Eligibility
Before you apply for a visitor visa for your parents, it is important to determine their eligibility. To be eligible for a visitor visa, your parents must meet the requirements mentioned in the previous section.
Gathering the Supporting Documents
Once your parents have determined their eligibility for a visitor visa, they will need to gather the required documents listed in their document checklist.
Completing the Application Form
Next, your parents must fill out an application form for a visitor visa. The form can be downloaded from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
Paying the Application Fees
The visitor visa applicant must then pay the application fees before submitting their application. This fee amount is $100 per person for all kinds of visitor visas. This includes single entry, multiple entry, and Super Visas. Applicants can pay this fee online or at a visa processing center.
Submit the Application
Once all the required documents are gathered, your parents can submit their visitor visa application. The application can be submitted online or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), Canadian embassy, or consulate. The application fee must be paid at the time of submission.
Receiving the Decision
Once the visitor visa applicant has submitted their application, they must wait for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to review it and reach a decision. If approved, they will be issued a visitor visa and can enter Canada
Processing Times for Canada Visitor Visa for Parents
The visitor visa processing time typically varies depending on the country the applicant is applying from. For example, the processing time for applicants from India is approximately 17 days. This processing time could be longer if IRCC is experiencing a large volume of applications or if they have requested additional documents from the applicant.
It is possible to apply for urgent visa processing if the applicant states so on their application. There is no additional fee for this. However, IRCC’s officers must determine if the specified reason makes the applicant eligible for this faster processing.
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