Canada Visa Checklist (2026)

Use this checklist to prepare every document before submitting your Canada visitor visa (TRV) application online. Missing documents are one of the most common causes of delays and refusals. Organise and scan all documents as clear PDFs before you start the IRCC online application.

Last updated: June 2026

Before You Apply — Pre-Application Checklist

  • ☐ Confirm your nationality requires a TRV (not an eTA) using the IRCC entry checker
  • ☐ Create an IRCC My Account (GCKey account) at canada.ca
  • ☐ Have a valid credit or debit card to pay fees (CAD $185 + CAD $85 biometrics)
  • ☐ Have a valid email address you check regularly for IRCC communications

Identity Documents

  • ☐ Valid passport — biographical page (all personal details clearly visible), at least one blank page
  • ☐ Previous passports — biographical page and all pages with visas or stamps
  • ☐ Digital photograph — 35×45mm, white background, taken within 6 months (see photo requirements)
  • ☐ National ID card (if applicable in your country)

Application Forms

  • ☐ IMM 5257 — Temporary Resident Visa Application (completed online)
  • ☐ IMM 5257B (Schedule A) — if you have resided outside your home country for 6+ months
  • ☐ IMM 5645 — Family Information form (for some application types)

Financial Documents

  • ☐ Bank statements — last 6 months from all accounts (savings, salary, current)
  • ☐ Fixed deposit receipts / certificate of deposits
  • ☐ Salary slips — last 3 months (for salaried employees)
  • ☐ Income Tax Returns (ITR) — last 2–3 years
  • ☐ Form 16 or equivalent tax certificate (India)
  • ☐ Property ownership documents (land, house, commercial property)
  • ☐ Investment portfolio or brokerage statements (if applicable)
  • ☐ Business registration and financial statements (for self-employed)
  • ☐ Pension or retirement income letter (for retired applicants)

Employment and Ties to Home Country

  • ☐ Employment letter — on company letterhead, stating: designation, salary, leave approval dates, and confirmation that your role will be available on return
  • ☐ Company ID card copy (if employed)
  • ☐ Business registration and trade licence (for business owners)
  • ☐ Marriage certificate (if married)
  • ☐ Children's birth certificates (if children are remaining in home country)
  • ☐ Property documents in home country (if owned)
  • ☐ Students — enrolment letter from home country institution

Trip-Specific Documents

  • ☐ Round-trip flight booking (confirmed or tentative itinerary with dates)
  • ☐ Hotel / accommodation confirmation for all nights in Canada
  • ☐ Travel itinerary — day-by-day plan with cities, activities, and accommodation
  • ☐ Travel insurance certificate (recommended, particularly for extended stays)

If Visiting Family or Friends in Canada

  • ☐ Invitation letter from Canadian host — signed, stating relationship, address, dates, and whether they are financially supporting the visit
  • ☐ Host's proof of Canadian status — PR card, citizenship certificate, or study/work permit
  • ☐ Host's proof of address (recent utility bill or bank statement with Canadian address)

If Attending a Business Meeting or Conference

  • ☐ Invitation letter from Canadian company or conference organiser
  • ☐ Conference registration confirmation
  • ☐ Employer letter confirming the business purpose of the trip

After Submission — Biometrics Appointment

  • ☐ Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) — received by email after submitting application
  • ☐ Book VFS Global appointment for biometrics — as soon as BIL is received
  • ☐ Bring to VAC: original passport, BIL printout, appointment confirmation, VFS service fee

Cover Letter (Optional but Recommended)

A cover letter is not required but strongly recommended for:

  • Applications with prior refusals
  • Applicants with unusual circumstances (gaps in employment, variable income)
  • Applicants with family members in Canada

The cover letter should briefly explain your purpose of visit, how you plan to fund the trip, your ties to your home country, and when you intend to return. See the Canada visa cover letter guide.

Official References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important document for a Canada visa application?

Bank statements and the employment letter are the two most critical documents. Bank statements demonstrate financial capacity; the employment letter demonstrates ties to your home country and gives a confirmed return date. Both need to be thorough, consistent, and genuinely reflective of your financial situation.

Do I need original documents or copies for Canada visa?

For online applications, you upload scanned PDF copies of all documents — originals are not sent to IRCC. You bring your original passport to the VFS biometrics appointment. Ensure scans are clear, legible, and complete — partially visible or blurry documents can trigger a request for additional information.

Do I need to translate documents for Canada visa?

All documents must be in English or French, or accompanied by a certified translation. Bank statements and employment letters from institutions that issue them in other languages should be professionally translated (not self-translated) with a translator's certification. IRCC does not accept Google Translate or informal translations.

Is a travel insurance mandatory for Canada visa?

Travel insurance is not officially mandatory for a Canada visitor visa. However, it is strongly recommended — Canada has no public health coverage for visitors, and emergency medical treatment can cost CAD $5,000–$50,000+. Including travel insurance shows the visa officer you have prepared responsibly.

Can I submit my Canada visa application without a hotel booking?

IRCC does not require a confirmed hotel booking, but you must provide accommodation details. A tentative itinerary, a confirmed booking (even refundable), or an invitation letter from a host in Canada all satisfy this requirement. Submitting no accommodation information at all is a gap that can contribute to a refusal.