How to apply for a Canadian visitor visa to visit family in Canada
Learn how to apply for a Canadian visitor visa to visit family in 2026, including eligibility, invitation letter, proof of funds, documents, CAD $100 fee, biometrics, online application steps, processing and what happens after approval.
Helpydo structures practical guidance around official or public sources. For individual cases, confirm requirements with the responsible institution.
If you need a visitor visa to visit family in Canada, apply from outside Canada through the IRCC Portal and submit a valid passport or travel document plus the supporting evidence requested for your circumstances. You must convince an immigration officer that your visit is temporary, that you have enough money for the trip and that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. A family invitation letter can support the purpose of your visit but does not guarantee approval. The visitor visa fee is CAD $100 per person. If biometrics are required, the fee is CAD $85 per person, with a maximum biometrics fee of CAD $170 for an eligible family applying together.
What you need
- Have a valid passport or other travel document accepted for travel to Canada.
- Meet Canada's visitor eligibility and admissibility requirements.
- Convince the immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized visit.
- Show ties that support your return outside Canada, such as employment, a home, financial assets or family responsibilities, where applicable.
- Show that you have enough money for your stay. The required amount depends on the length of the visit and accommodation arrangements.
- Provide a digital copy of your valid passport or travel document with the online application.
- Provide documents supporting the purpose of the family visit, which may include an invitation letter from your relative in Canada and proof of your relationship.
- Provide supporting financial, travel, employment and travel-history documents requested for your circumstances.
- Pay the CAD $100 visitor visa processing fee.
- Pay the biometrics fee and provide fingerprints and a photograph if biometrics are required.
- Complete any additional requirements requested by IRCC, which may include an interview, medical examination, police certificate or additional documents.
Eligibility
This procedure is for a foreign national outside Canada who needs a temporary resident visa, also called a visitor visa, to travel to Canada for a temporary family visit. The travel document required depends on the applicant's nationality, travel document and method of travel, so applicants should first confirm that they need a visitor visa rather than an electronic travel authorization or another document.
To qualify for a visitor visa, you must have a valid travel document, be admissible to Canada, satisfy an immigration officer that your stay will be temporary and that you will leave Canada at the end of the authorized visit, and have enough money for the stay. Officers may consider your employment, home, financial assets, family relationships, purpose of travel and other ties when deciding whether you are a genuine temporary visitor.
How to do it
- Confirm that you need a visitor visa. Use IRCC's official entry-document guidance because the document you need depends on your nationality, passport or travel document and how you will travel to Canada.
- Select family visit as the purpose of travel. When following IRCC's visitor visa application process, choose the family visit option and identify the immigration status of the family member you plan to visit in Canada.
- Prepare your valid passport or travel document. All applicants must provide a digital copy of a valid, unexpired passport or accepted travel document.
- Prepare evidence of the family visit. Gather documents that demonstrate the purpose and expected duration of your trip. An invitation letter from your family member in Canada can help establish the purpose of the visit.
- Prepare the invitation letter. The person inviting you should provide accurate information about you, your relationship, the purpose and expected length of the visit, where you will stay, how expenses will be paid and when you plan to leave Canada. The inviter should also provide their own identifying and Canadian status information as described by IRCC.
- Gather financial and personal supporting evidence. Depending on your circumstances, provide bank statements, employment evidence, travel history, itinerary, accommodation information and evidence of ties outside Canada.
- Apply online. Most visitor visa applicants must apply online through the IRCC Portal. Paper applications are limited to specific situations, including certain disability-related circumstances or use of specified refugee, stateless-person or non-citizen travel documents.
- Pay the fees. Pay CAD $100 for the visitor visa and the biometrics fee if required. Eligible families of 5 or more applying together can qualify for the CAD $500 maximum visitor visa processing fee.
- Submit the application. Upload the documents requested in your application and review all information before submitting.
- Give biometrics if required. After receiving a biometric instruction letter, book an appointment at an official biometrics collection location as soon as possible.
- Respond to additional IRCC requests. IRCC may request an interview, further information, a medical examination or a police certificate before making a decision.
- Submit your passport after approval if instructed. Online applicants who are approved receive instructions in their IRCC account for submitting the passport. You cannot travel using the approved visitor visa until IRCC has placed the visa in the passport.
- Prepare for entry to Canada. Travel with the passport containing the visa and relevant supporting documents, including the invitation letter if you received one. A visa does not guarantee entry; a border services officer makes the final admission decision when you arrive.
How to apply for a Canadian visitor visa for a family visit
A Canadian visitor visa, officially called a temporary resident visa, allows a visa-required foreign national to travel to Canada and ask to enter as a temporary visitor. If your purpose is to visit relatives, IRCC treats the purpose of travel as a family visit and may assess documents showing who you are visiting, your relationship, your plans in Canada, your finances and your reasons to return home.
The standard visitor visa fee is CAD $100. Most applications must be submitted online through the IRCC Portal.
Do you need a visitor visa to visit family in Canada?
Not every foreign traveller needs a visitor visa. The document required depends on the travel document you use, the country that issued it, your nationality and how you travel to Canada.
Some travellers need an electronic travel authorization instead of a visitor visa. Before paying a visitor visa fee, confirm the correct entry document using IRCC's official visitor visa guidance.
Who can qualify for a Canadian visitor visa?
To receive a visitor visa, you must have a valid travel document and meet Canada's admissibility requirements. You must convince an immigration officer that you are a genuine temporary visitor who will leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay.
IRCC may consider ties that would take you back to your country of residence, including employment, a home, financial assets or family. You must also show that you have enough money for the visit.
Some applicants may need a medical examination. Criminal, immigration, security, health, financial or other inadmissibility issues can affect eligibility.
Documents needed for a family visitor visa
The documents required depend on your personal circumstances, country of application and the information in your application. All applicants must provide a digital copy of a valid, unexpired passport or travel document.
For a family visit, supporting evidence can include an invitation letter, proof of your relationship with the person in Canada, financial evidence, travel history, an itinerary and evidence of employment or other ties outside Canada.
Invitation letter from your family member in Canada
A letter of invitation can help demonstrate that the purpose of your visit is genuine, but it does not guarantee that IRCC will issue a visa. The immigration officer assesses the applicant independently.
IRCC states that the invitation letter should include the visitor's complete name, date of birth, address and telephone number, relationship to the inviter, purpose of the trip, intended length of stay, where the visitor will stay, how expenses will be paid and when the visitor plans to leave Canada.
The person inviting you should include their complete name, date of birth, Canadian address and telephone number, job title, immigration or citizenship status and evidence of that status. IRCC also asks for information about the inviter's family, including their spouse and dependants.
Examples of documents that can establish the inviter's status include a Canadian birth certificate, Canadian citizenship documentation or permanent resident documentation, depending on the person's status.
Proof of relationship
Documents establishing how you are related to the person you are visiting can strengthen the evidence supporting the stated purpose of travel. Depending on the relationship, relevant evidence can include birth certificates, marriage certificates or other civil-status records.
Proof of funds
You must demonstrate that you have enough money for your stay. Canada does not publish a single fixed minimum bank balance that applies to every ordinary visitor visa applicant. The amount needed depends on factors such as how long you will stay and whether you will stay in a hotel or with friends or relatives.
IRCC's visitor visa guidance recommends financial evidence such as a bank account statement. The current application guidance explains that at least 6 months of account details, including balances, can help IRCC understand your financial situation. Statements should identify the financial institution and account holder.
If your family member will pay some or all of your expenses, explain the arrangement clearly and provide supporting evidence when requested.
Employment evidence and ties to your home country
Evidence of stable employment can help demonstrate that you have reasons to return after the visit. IRCC's visitor visa guidance describes an employer letter containing information such as your employment status, name and date of birth, start date, job description, salary and employer contact information.
Other ties may include a home, financial assets and family responsibilities outside Canada. There is no single document that guarantees approval; IRCC assesses the complete circumstances.
Travel history
Previous travel can help demonstrate your travel history. IRCC recommends evidence such as previous passports, visas, entry and exit stamps and previous study or work permits from travel outside your country.
Travel itinerary
Your itinerary should help explain how long you plan to stay and what you intend to do in Canada. Supporting evidence can include flight details, accommodation arrangements and other relevant travel plans.
How much does a Canadian visitor visa cost in 2026?
The visitor visa processing fee is CAD $100 per applicant. The same processing fee applies whether IRCC ultimately issues a single-entry or multiple-entry visitor visa.
An eligible family of 5 or more people applying at the same time and place can pay a maximum visitor visa processing fee of CAD $500. To qualify, the applicants must meet IRCC's definition of eligible family members, including the applicable rules for dependent children.
Biometrics fee
If biometrics are required, the fee is CAD $85 for an individual. The maximum biometrics fee for an eligible family of 2 or more people applying at the same time is CAD $170.
Some applicants are exempt from biometrics. Temporary resident applicants who previously provided valid biometrics may not need to provide them again. Temporary residence biometrics are generally valid for 10 years, although IRCC can require new biometrics in particular circumstances.
How to apply online for a family visitor visa
Most visitor visa applications must be made online. IRCC provides the IRCC Portal for visitor visa applications.
To apply online, you need electronic copies of your documents and a valid credit or debit card. Follow the family visit pathway in the official visitor visa application instructions and upload the documents requested for your circumstances.
The IRCC Portal New version may be available if you are at least 18 years old, applying alone, have never applied to IRCC before and are not using a representative. Other applicants can use the applicable IRCC Portal or account option provided by IRCC.
When can you apply on paper?
IRCC states that visitor visa applicants must normally apply online. A paper application is permitted in limited circumstances, including when a person cannot apply online because of a disability or when travelling with certain identity or travel documents issued to a refugee, stateless person or non-citizen.
Do you need biometrics for a visitor visa?
Unless an exemption applies, visitor visa applicants must provide fingerprints and a photograph. Children under 14 and applicants aged 80 or older when the application is submitted are among the categories exempt from the standard temporary residence biometrics requirement.
If you need biometrics, IRCC sends a biometric instruction letter after the application and required fees are submitted. Book an appointment at an official collection location as soon as possible to avoid processing delays.
If you previously provided biometrics for a temporary residence application, they are generally valid for 10 years. IRCC cannot normally issue a visa or permit beyond 10 years from the date those biometrics were provided.
How long does a Canadian family visitor visa take?
There is no single processing time for every visitor visa application. IRCC states that visitor visa processing varies by country and according to the application and visa office.
IRCC states that most visitor visa applications are processed in a few weeks or less, but the actual time can be longer. The published processing estimate does not include the time required to provide biometrics.
An application can take longer if IRCC needs an interview, additional documents, a medical examination, a police certificate or other verification. Use IRCC's current processing-times tool for the latest estimate relevant to your application country.
What happens after you submit the application?
IRCC checks the application and supporting documents. An incomplete application may be refused. During processing, IRCC may ask you to attend an interview, provide additional information, complete a medical examination or obtain a police certificate.
You can check application status using the method associated with the account or portal through which you applied.
What happens if the visitor visa is approved?
If you applied online and IRCC approves the application, you receive a letter in your IRCC account with instructions for submitting your passport.
You cannot travel to Canada on the approval letter alone. IRCC states that you cannot travel until the visitor visa has been placed in the passport you submit.
You should normally submit the same passport used for the application. Providing a newer passport can delay processing and does not guarantee a longer visa validity period.
How long can a Canadian visitor visa be valid?
A visa officer decides whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and determines its validity. A visitor visa may generally be valid for up to 10 years or until the passport or biometrics expire, whichever occurs first. An officer may issue it for a shorter period based on the applicant's circumstances.
The validity of the visa is not the same as the amount of time you are permitted to stay during each visit.
How long can you stay in Canada when visiting family?
Most visitors can stay in Canada for up to 6 months, but the final period is determined when you enter Canada. A border services officer may authorize a shorter or longer period.
If the officer sets a specific departure date, it may be written in your passport or provided on a visitor record. You must leave Canada by the end of your authorized stay unless you obtain an extension before your status expires.
Does an invitation letter guarantee a visitor visa?
No. IRCC expressly states that an invitation letter does not guarantee visa approval. The letter helps explain the purpose and arrangements for the visit, but the applicant must independently meet Canada's visitor requirements.
The person writing the invitation letter does not become legally responsible for the visitor merely because they wrote the letter, although IRCC instructs inviters to provide truthful information and intend to keep the commitments described in the letter.
Does having family in Canada make approval automatic?
No. Having a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or temporary resident relative in Canada does not automatically qualify you for a visitor visa. An officer considers the complete application, including the purpose of travel, family circumstances, finances, ties outside Canada and whether the applicant is likely to leave after the authorized visit.
What should you bring when travelling to Canada?
Bring the passport containing your valid visitor visa and relevant supporting evidence for your trip. If you received an invitation letter from your family member, IRCC recommends bringing it because a border services officer may ask to see it.
A valid passport and visitor visa do not guarantee entry. At the Canadian border, an officer verifies that you still meet Canada's entry requirements and makes the final decision on admission and length of stay.
Visitor visa or super visa for parents and grandparents
A standard family visitor visa is different from a super visa. Parents and grandparents of eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons registered under the Indian Act who plan qualifying extended visits may want to check whether the super visa is more appropriate.
A super visa has separate eligibility, financial-support, medical-insurance and medical-examination requirements. Do not use the ordinary visitor visa requirements as a substitute for the super visa rules.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a visitor visa to visit family in Canada?
First confirm that you need a visitor visa. If you do, prepare your valid passport, evidence of the family visit, financial evidence and other supporting documents, then apply online through the IRCC Portal and pay the applicable fees.
How much is a Canadian visitor visa in 2026?
The visitor visa processing fee is CAD $100 per person. An eligible family of 5 or more applying at the same time and place can pay a maximum processing fee of CAD $500.
How much are biometrics for a Canadian visitor visa?
If biometrics are required, the fee is CAD $85 per individual. An eligible family of 2 or more applying at the same time can pay a maximum biometrics fee of CAD $170.
Do I need an invitation letter to visit family in Canada?
An invitation letter is important supporting evidence for many family visit applications and may be requested as part of the application. It helps establish the purpose of the visit but does not guarantee that IRCC will approve the visa.
What should a Canadian family invitation letter include?
It should include the visitor's identity and contact details, relationship to the inviter, purpose and length of the visit, accommodation and financial arrangements and planned departure date. The inviter should provide their own identity, contact details, Canadian status and related information requested by IRCC.
Does an invitation letter guarantee a Canadian visitor visa?
No. IRCC states that an invitation letter does not guarantee a visa. The applicant must independently satisfy all visitor visa requirements.
How much money do I need to show for a Canadian visitor visa?
IRCC does not publish one fixed minimum amount for every ordinary visitor. You must have enough money for your stay, and the amount needed depends on factors such as the duration of the visit and whether you will stay in a hotel or with relatives or friends.
How many months of bank statements should I provide?
IRCC's current visitor visa guidance states that at least 6 months of account details, including balances, can help officers understand your financial situation.
What documents can prove that I will return home after visiting family?
Relevant evidence can include stable employment, a home, financial assets, family responsibilities and other ties outside Canada. IRCC assesses all circumstances rather than relying on one specific document.
Can I apply for a Canadian visitor visa online?
Yes. Most applicants must apply online using an IRCC application portal. Paper applications are limited to specific circumstances.
Do I need biometrics to visit family in Canada?
Most visa-required temporary resident applicants must provide biometrics unless an exemption applies or valid biometrics already on file can be reused.
How long are Canadian visitor visa biometrics valid?
Temporary residence biometrics are generally valid for 10 years. IRCC cannot normally issue a visitor visa beyond 10 years from the date the biometrics were provided.
How long does a Canadian visitor visa take to process?
Processing varies by country and application. IRCC states that most applications are processed in a few weeks or less, but additional checks can make the process longer. Biometrics collection time is not included in the published visitor visa processing estimate.
What happens after my visitor visa is approved online?
IRCC sends a letter in your online account with instructions to submit your passport. You cannot travel to Canada on the approval letter alone; the visa must first be placed in your passport.
How long can a Canadian visitor visa be valid?
A visitor visa can generally be valid for up to 10 years or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever occurs first. The visa officer may issue a shorter validity period based on your circumstances.
How long can I stay in Canada when visiting family?
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months, but a border services officer determines the actual authorized period when you enter Canada and can allow a shorter or longer stay.
Does a Canadian visitor visa guarantee entry into Canada?
No. A visitor visa allows you to travel to Canada and request entry. A border services officer makes the final decision on whether you may enter and how long you may stay.
Should I bring the invitation letter when travelling to Canada?
Yes. If you received an invitation letter, IRCC advises bringing it because a border services officer may ask to see it when you arrive.
Should a parent or grandparent use a visitor visa or super visa?
Parents and grandparents planning an extended qualifying visit should check the separate super visa rules. A super visa has different eligibility, financial-support, insurance and medical requirements from an ordinary visitor visa.