Family Visitor Visa for Canada

Family Visitor Visa Overview

Visiting family in Canada requires applying for a visa or an eTA for nationals of visa-exempt countries, except for US citizens, who do not require either for family visits of less than six months.

Eligibility Requirements, Documents, and Process

Canada does not offer a separate type of family visitor visa; instead, it is categorized under a temporary resident visa aimed at family reunification in Canada.

Applicants must apply online by completing immigration application forms and providing supporting documents that justify their visit.

Visiting family typically includes close members such as spouses, partners, children, parents, and grandparents. These family members may be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or foreign workers or students temporarily in Canada. Regardless of their status as permanent or temporary residents, they can invite their overseas family members to visit them in Canada. For example, a wife can visit her husband who is a temporary worker in Canada, or parents can visit their child who is an international student in Canada.

When the main purpose of the visit is family-related, an invitation letter and documents supporting the familial relationship must be included in the application. These are required to justify the visit alongside other mandatory documents for a temporary resident visa, which typically includes immigration application forms, proof of the host’s status and residence in Canada, the visiting family member's passport, itinerary, evidence of income and financial standing, proof of ties to their home country, a digital photo, and the application processing fees. Depending on the unique circumstances of the case, a tailored set of additional documents may be recommended.

Visiting family members may stay in Canada for up to six months. In some cases, a border officer may limit this duration by affixing a stamp in their passport with the date by which they must leave. If an extended stay becomes necessary, visiting family members can apply for an extension while in Canada and be issued a Visitor Record, or reenter if they have a valid visa.

The processing time for a temporary resident visa varies by the country of the visiting family member's residence.

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