Are you dreaming of exploring Canada’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and friendly culture? Whether you want to visit Niagara Falls, see the northern lights in Yukon, or simply reconnect with friends and family, you’ll likely need a Canada Tourist Visa, officially called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Before packing your bags, ensure your application is complete and meets all requirements. Let’s walk you through the process and provide a simple, actionable checklist.

Quick Summary

Planning a Canada trip? Before you jump into Rockies views, coastal drives, and maple treats, make sure your visa paperwork is airtight. Use this Canada visitor (TRV) checklist to submit a clean, complete application:

Essential Documents

• Visa application forms: IMM 5257 (Visitor Visa) and IMM 5645 (Family Information), fully completed and signed (separate forms for each applicant, including minors).

• Valid passport: At least 6 months’ validity beyond entry (recommended), with 2 blank pages; include old passports for travel history.

• Passport copies: Clear photocopies of the bio page and prior visas/stamps (plus old passports’ key pages).

• Photographs: Two recent passport-sized photos meeting IRCC specs.

Personal & Travel Details

• Proof of travel plans: Round-trip flight reservation (no need to purchase before approval).

• Accommodation proof: Hotel bookings or invitation/host details covering your entire stay.

• Travel itinerary: Day-by-day outline (cities, dates, activities, intercity transport).

Financial Proof

• Funds to cover your trip: Recent bank statements (3–6 months), salary slips/income proof, tax returns or proof of assets (if applicable).

• Sponsorship (if applicable): Sponsorship letter from your Canadian host with supporting financial documents.

Employment/Occupation Documents

• Employees: Employer letter/No-Objection Certificate (role, tenure, salary, approved leave).

• Company owners/self-employed: Business registration, recent tax filings, and business bank statements.

• Students: Enrollment/bona fide letter and NOC from institution.

• Retirees: Pension/retirement statement.

For Minors (Under 18)

If travelling alone/with one parent: Notarised consent from non-travelling parent(s) or court custody document; include birth certificate and parent IDs.

Insurance & Fees

• Travel medical insurance: Strongly recommended for the full trip (emergency care, hospitalisation, medical repatriation).

• Fees: Visa application fee and biometrics fee (if required); keep payment receipts and biometrics appointment confirmation.

Special Cases

• Invitation letter (family/friends): Include the host’s name/address, relationship, trip purpose/dates, and proof of the host’s status in Canada (passport/PR card/permit).

• Proof of legal residence (if applying outside your home country): Valid permit/visa for your current country of residence.

• Ties to home country: Evidence of job, family, studies, property, or ongoing commitments to demonstrate return intent.

Canada Visa Checklist

Now that you understand the application process, let's proceed to the next important step. Here’s a comprehensive checklist for your application:

1. Application Forms

• Application for a Visitor Visa (TRV): Complete it online truthfully; ensure the dates, passport number, and personal details match those in your supporting documents. Each traveller (including minors) files a separate form. Validate and electronically sign; print/save the final PDF.

• Family Information Form: List spouse/parents/all children (including non-travelling). Use N/A for non-applicable fields; sign and date.

2. Valid Passport

• Validity: Recommended 6+ months beyond your planned entry; must be machine-readable and undamaged.

• Blank pages: At least 2 for visa/entry stamps.

• Travel history: Include old passports showing prior visas/stamps (helps demonstrate compliant travel).

3. Photographs

• Quantity & spec: Two recent, identical photos per IRCC specs (typically 35 mm x 45 mm, neutral expression, plain light background, no filters/headgear unless religious).

• Back of photos: Write name and DOB lightly in pencil if instructed by your VAC.

• Recency: Taken within the last 6 months.

4. Proof of Funds

• Bank statements: Last 3–6 months, official (stamped or e-verified PDFs). Show steady balances and income inflow.

• Income proof: Recent payslips and (if applicable) ITR/tax returns; for self-employed, add business bank statements.

• Assets (optional): FDs, property papers (summaries/certificates, not entire deeds).

• If sponsored: Sponsorship letter + sponsor’s bank statements/income proof, ID, and relationship proof; clarify which costs they cover (stay, daily expenses, flights).

5. Travel Itinerary

• Flights: Reservations/holds are acceptable. Avoid non-refundable purchases before approval.

• Day-by-day plan: Cities, dates, activities, and intercity transport. Keep it realistic and consistent with your funds and duration.

6. Proof of Accommodation

• Hotels: Bookings covering every night; show guest names, addresses, and dates.

• Staying with family/friends: Provide an invitation letter and the host's address/contact; align dates with your itinerary.

7. Invitation Letter (if visiting family/friends)

• Host details: Full name, address, phone/email, relationship, period of stay, number of guests.

• Trip purpose & support: Who pays for what (if any financial support).

• Status in Canada: Attach a copy of the host’s passport and status proof (PR card, work/study permit, Canadian passport, or citizenship certificate).

• Optional: Proof of host’s capacity (employment letter, recent NOA/tax slip) if they’re funding you.

8. Employment/Study Proof

• Employees: Employment letter on letterhead (role, start date, salary), plus approved leave dates; attach 3–6 months' payslips.

• Self-employed: Business registration (GST/Udyam/MSME), recent tax filings, and business bank statements.

• Students: Enrollment/bona fide letter, NOC for travel dates, and fee receipt/student ID.

9. Ties to Home Country

• Professional: Employment contract/ID, active business licenses.

• Family: Marriage certificate, dependent children/parent responsibilities.

• Property/financial: Ownership certificates, long-term leases, investments.

• Ongoing commitments: University enrollment, pending exams, project letters—anything proving you must return.

10. Cover Letter

• Keep to 1 page: Introduce yourself, purpose of travel, dates, route/cities, who funds the trip, where you’ll stay, and your ties to the home country.

• Consistency check: Ensure it mirrors your forms, bookings, and bank proofs.

11. Biometrics Appointment Confirmation (if required)

• Booking: After paying, schedule at your VAC; most applicants must give biometrics.

• Timing: Complete within the window specified in your IRCC instruction letter (typically 30 days). Carry the letter and a valid passport.

12. Visa Fee Receipt

• Proof of payment: Include receipts for the application fee and the biometrics fee (if applicable). Save emails/PDFs.
  

For your ease, here is the downloadable official checklist provided by Canadian Immigration.

Canada Tourist Visa Application Process

1. Determine if you need a visa

2. Gather required documents 

3. Complete the online application

Applying for a Canadian visa can feel overwhelming, especially with all the documents and details involved. To save yourself time and effort, consider choosing Atlys as your partner for Canada visa applications.

1. Pay the application fee

2. Submit biometrics

3. Wait for processing and decision
   

Tips for a Successful Application

You can follow the tips below to have a successful application 

• Be truthful and clear: Incomplete or misleading information can lead to refusals or bans.

• Organise your documents: Submit scanned copies that are legible and grouped logically.

• Demonstrate ties to your home country: The officer must be convinced you’ll return after your visit.

• Apply early: Processing can take weeks or even months, depending on your country.

• Keep details consistent everywhere: Names, dates, passport numbers, and trip dates must match across forms, tickets, hotels, cover letter, and bank proofs.

• Use “N/A” instead of leaving blanks: Empty fields can trigger rechecks or refusals.

• Photo compliance matters: Follow IRCC size/background rules; no glasses, filters, or old photos (>6 months).

• Show stable finances: Avoid sudden large deposits; add brief explanations for any unusual credits.

• Translations & notarization: Translate non-English/French documents via certified translators and include the translator’s affidavit if required.

• Passport hygiene: Ensure 6+ months validity (recommended), at least two blank pages, and include old passports to showcase travel history.

• Biometrics timing: Book promptly after the instruction letter and carry the letter + passport to the VAC.

• Refundable bookings: Use holds or refundable options for flights/hotels until a decision is made.

• Explain gaps: Briefly clarify career/study gaps, recent job changes, or prior visa refusals in the cover letter (attach refusal letters if relevant).

Getting a Canadian Tourist Visa is straightforward if you follow the checklist and prepare all necessary documents. Double-check every requirement, be honest in your application, and remember to submit all necessary documents digitally. Safe travels and enjoy your Canadian adventure!