How to Apply for Parents’ Canada Tourist Visa? Tips for Getting the Visa Successfully

Are you planning to bring your parents to Canada for a visit? The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is the key document required for them to enter the country. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of applying for a TRV for parents in India, based on my personal experience. I recently applied for my parents’ TRV and received the stamped visa within a month. I applied using the new IRCC portal, which has made the application process more streamlined and convenient.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Determine Eligibility: Before applying for a TRV, it is important to ensure that your parents meet the eligibility criteria. They must demonstrate that they are genuine visitors, have sufficient ties to their home country, and have a strong motivation to return after their visit. Make sure they have valid passports that will not expire for at least six months beyond the date of their intended departure from Canada.

Useful link: Visit the IRCC website to check the eligibility criteria:

Step 2: Gather Required Documents: To complete the TRV application, you will need several documents. These may include:

Valid passports for your parents.

Proof of funds: Bank statements, pay stubs, and/or income tax returns to demonstrate that your parents have enough financial resources to cover their expenses during their stay in Canada.

Letter of invitation: Write a detailed letter inviting your parents to visit you in Canada. Include your contact information, the purpose of the visit, intended duration of stay, and details about accommodations and financial support.

Proof of ties to their home country: Provide documents showing your parents’ strong ties to India, such as property ownership, employment letters, and family ties.

Travel history: Provide details of your parents’ previous international travel history, including any visa rejections.

Useful link: IRCC’s Document Checklist Tool: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/tool.html

Step 3: Complete the Application Form: You can apply using GCKey or IRCC portal launched a couple of years ago. I recommend using the IRCC portal as it is much smoother than GCKey. Fill in the required details accurately and submit the application.

Detailed Instructions on Filling the Application Form:

Personal Information: Provide accurate personal information, including name, date of birth, contact details, and passport information.

Purpose of Visit: Select the appropriate category (e.g., visiting family) and provide details about the purpose and duration of the visit.

Family Information: Include details about immediate family members, such as spouses and children.

Travel History: Provide information about your parents’ previous international travel, including countries visited and dates.

Financial Information: Input details about your parents’ financial resources, including employment details, income, and assets.

Background Information: Answer all questions honestly and accurately, including any previous visa rejections or immigration-related issues.

Additional Information: Include any additional information that you believe is relevant to support your parents’ application.

Pay the Fees: After submitting the application, you will be prompted to pay the processing fees. The current fee for a TRV is CAD $100 per person. Ensure that you have a valid credit or debit card for payment.

Step 4: Biometrics: As part of the application process, your parents will need to provide their biometric information (fingerprints and photographs) at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). Schedule an appointment at the nearest VAC and pay the applicable biometric fee.

Useful link: Biometrics Appointment Booking

Step 5: Track the Application: After submitting the application and biometric information, you can track the status of the application online using the unique tracking number provided. The portal will provide updates on the progress of your parents’ application.

New Tracker: IRCC recently launched a new portal tracker where you can check the progress of your application. Click here to visit the IRCC tracker.

Important Tips

1. Letter of Invitation: The invitation letter is a crucial document in the application. While many people do not include it especially when applying through the new portal I strongly recommend writing one. Explain why it is important for the person you’re inviting to visit you. Present your case in clear words. Along with that add as many supporting documents as you can. Remember there is only one option to upload any additional document. You will have to combine all the documents into one and compress it to be under 2MB.

2. Include a rough itinerary and travel insurance quote. You can get the quote from any travel insurance company website without having to purchase it.

3. Be Truthful: It is crucial to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the application process. If your parents have faced visa rejections from other countries, disclose this information in the application. Honesty is key to maintaining the integrity of your application. I have seen applications being rejected citing “You have not been truthful in your application” because they did not mention a previous rejection to the US or any other country. Previous rejections do not affect your Canada application. But not providing that information can be construed as misrepresentation.

4. Provide Strong Proof of Ties: Emphasize your parents’ strong ties to India in their application. This can include evidence of property ownership, employment, family relationships, and other commitments that demonstrate their intention to return home after their visit. For example, In my application, I informed the visa officer that a celebration has been planned to celebrate my mother’s 60th birthday in India in the latter half of the year.

Top reasons why Canada TRV gets rejected

1. Insufficient or Inaccurate Documentation: Failing to provide complete and accurate documentation is a frequent reason for visa rejections. This may include missing or incomplete application forms, insufficient proof of financial resources, inadequate travel itinerary, lack of supporting documents (such as invitation letters or employment verification), or failure to provide required identification or passport details.
2. Lack of Strong Ties to Home Country: One of the primary concerns for immigration officials is whether an applicant has strong ties to their home country. If it appears that an applicant has a limited reason to return home after their visit to Canada, such as a lack of stable employment, family ties, or property ownership, it could lead to a rejection. Demonstrating strong ties to your home country through employment, property ownership, or family commitments can help address this concern.
3. Inability to Demonstrate Sufficient Funds: Applicants need to demonstrate that they have enough financial resources to cover their expenses during their stay in Canada. If the provided financial documents, such as bank statements, do not show sufficient funds or stability, it may result in a visa rejection. It’s important to provide credible evidence of your financial capacity to support yourself during your visit.
4. Inadequate Purpose of Visit: Failing to establish a clear and legitimate purpose for your visit can lead to visa rejection. It’s crucial to provide a detailed explanation of your travel plans, including the purpose of your visit, the activities you intend to undertake, and the duration of your stay. If the immigration officials find your purpose vague, unclear, or questionable, it may raise doubts about your intentions and result in a rejection.
5. Past Immigration or Travel History: If an applicant has a history of immigration or travel-related violations, such as overstaying a visa or providing false information, it can negatively impact their current visa application. Previous refusals for Canadian or other country visas, deportations, or criminal records can also lead to rejection.

Here are a few examples of tourist visa rejections from Reddit and Quora:

1. Reddit User: “I applied for a tourist visa to Canada and got rejected. The reason stated was that the visa officer was not satisfied with my travel history. I had only traveled to a few nearby countries in the past and didn’t have any long-distance international trips. It seems like they wanted to see more evidence of my intention to return to my home country.”
2. Quora User: “I had applied for a tourist visa to Canada for a family trip, but unfortunately, our application got rejected. The reason given was that the visa officer was not convinced about our financial situation. We had provided bank statements, salary slips, and property documents, but it seems like they wanted more evidence of our financial stability.”
3. Reddit User: “My parents applied for a tourist visa to Canada, but their application got rejected. The reason mentioned was insufficient ties to their home country. We had provided documents showing their property ownership, employment letters, and family ties, but it seems like it wasn’t enough to convince the visa officer.”

In conclusion, applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for parents in India to visit Canada can be a detailed and meticulous process. However, with the step-by-step guide provided in this post, along with the necessary documents and accurate information, you can enhance the chances of a successful application. Remember to utilize the new IRCC portal for a streamlined application experience. Additionally, honesty and transparency play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth visa process. By demonstrating strong ties to their home country and providing sufficient proof of funds, you can strengthen your parents’ application. While visa rejections can happen for various reasons, understanding the common pitfalls and avoiding them will contribute to a more successful outcome. By following this guide, you can embark on the exciting journey of welcoming your parents to Canada and creating unforgettable memories together. Good Luck!