How to Apply for Parents Visitor Visa for Canada
Canada is a beautiful country filled with scenic landscapes, friendly people, and diverse cultures. It’s no wonder that many people from around the world want to come and visit. One of the most common reasons for visiting Canada is to see family members who live there. If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you want to bring your parents to Canada for a visit, you’ll need to apply for a visitor visa on their behalf. In this guide, we’ll outline the steps you need to follow to apply for a parents visitor visa for Canada.
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
Before you start the application process, you need to make sure that your parents are eligible to apply for a visitor visa. To be eligible, they must:
- Have a valid passport
- Be in good health
- Convince the immigration officer that they have strong ties to their home country and will return after their visit
- Have enough money to support themselves during their stay in Canada
- Be admissible to Canada (i.e. not have a criminal record or other issues that would prevent them from being allowed into the country)
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Once you’ve determined that your parents are eligible to apply for a visitor visa, you’ll need to gather all the required documents. These may include:
- A completed and signed visitor visa application form
- Two passport-sized photos
- A copy of your parents’ passports
- A letter of invitation from you, outlining the purpose of their visit, the length of their stay, and your relationship to them
- Proof of your status in Canada (e.g. a copy of your passport, permanent residency card, or citizenship certificate)
- Evidence that your parents have enough money to support themselves during their stay in Canada (e.g. bank statements, income tax returns, pay stubs)
- Evidence of your parents’ ties to their home country (e.g. property ownership, employment, family)
- A letter from your parents’ employer, if applicable, stating that they have been granted leave to visit Canada
Step 3: Fill Out the Application
Once you have all the required documents, you can fill out the visitor visa application form. Make sure to answer all questions truthfully and accurately, and provide all necessary information. If you’re unsure about how to answer a question, seek advice from an immigration lawyer or consultant.
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
There is a fee for applying for a visitor visa to Canada. At the time of writing, the fee was $100 CAD per person. You can pay this fee online or in person at a Visa Application Centre or Canadian Embassy or Consulate.
Step 5: Submit the Application
Once you’ve completed the application form and paid the fee, you can submit the application and supporting documents. You can do this online, in person at a Visa Application Centre, or by mail. If you choose to submit the application by mail, make sure to use a registered mailing service so you can track the progress of your application.
Step 6: Wait for a Decision
After you submit your application, you’ll need to wait for a decision from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The processing time for visitor visas varies depending on the country you’re applying from, but it typically takes several weeks to a few months.
Step 7: Prepare for Your Parents’ Arrival
If your parents are granted a visitor visa, you’ll need to prepare for their arrival. This may include booking flights, arranging accommodation, and planning activities for their stay. You may also want to consider purchasing travel insurance for them, as healthcare in Canada can be expensive.
In conclusion, applying for a parents visitor visa for Canada can be a lengthy and complex process, but it’s worth the effort to bring your loved ones to this beautiful country. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of a successful application and ensure that your parents have a wonderful visit.
