Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — CompassionateVerified 2026-04-13Canada Compassionate Visit Visa (TRV — Urgent Family)
A Canada Compassionate Visit Visa is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for urgent visits to Canada due to serious illness, death, or other humanitarian emergencies involving immediate family members. Priority processing may be granted when supporting evidence is compelling.
Processing
Priority processing may apply — depends on urgency + supporting evidence
Stay Duration
Up to 6 months, but usually for duration of the emergency
Starting Fee
CAD $100
Apply At
10 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Canada visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay in Canada.
- 2Biometrics (fingerprints + digital photo) are required for most applicants — valid for 10 years.
- 3Do NOT submit your passport to VAC until you receive the Passport Request Letter from IRCC.
- 4Effective Feb 24, 2026: Biometric appointments require you to upload the BIL via the new AMS system.
- 5Effective Oct 9, 2023: Only the applicant, parents (for minors), or 1 appointed family member can submit passports at VAC — not unauthorized third parties.
- 6Not accepted as identity documents: passports from Somalia, non-machine-readable Czech passports, temporary South African passports, provisional Venezuelan passports.
- 7VFS online tracking shows passport LOCATION only. For application processing status, check your IRCC online account directly.
Who Can Apply
- Visiting a dying or critically ill immediate family member in Canada
- Attending funerals of immediate family in Canada
- Caring for an immediate family member with a serious medical emergency
- Other documented compassionate or humanitarian reasons
Not eligible under this visa:
- Standard family visits without urgency — use Family Visit Visa
- Non-immediate family emergencies (distant relatives)
- Events without documentable evidence
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visitor Visa (TRV) — individual | CAD $100 |
| Biometrics fee — individual | CAD $85 |
| Biometrics fee — family (2+ people applying together) | CAD $170 |
| VFS service charge — per package | ₹603 |
| Two-Way Courier Service | ₹1,716 |
| Premium Lounge service | ₹4,767 |
| SMS Tracking Service | ₹179 |
All IRCC government fees are in Canadian Dollars (CAD) and paid directly to IRCC online. VFS service charges are paid in INR at the VAC. Fees are subject to change — verify on IRCC (canada.ca/immigration) and VFS Global (vfsglobal.com/ind/en/can) before applying. Third-party costs (medical exam, police clearance, translation) may also apply.
Documents Required
Required — Compassionate-Specific Documents
- !Invitation letter from Canadian family member
Clearly explaining the compassionate reason and urgency
- !Supporting medical / death documentation
Medical certificate signed by doctor / hospital letter / death certificate — proves the emergency
- !Proof of relationship with the affected family member
Birth certificate, marriage certificate, family records
- !Copy of Canadian family member's status document
Their passport / PR card / temporary permit
Required — Common Documents
- !Valid passport
- !Family Information Form (IMM 5645)
- !Biometrics fee payment
- !Bank statements — 3 months minimum
- !Cover letter explaining urgency
Personal letter highlighting the emergency and why you need expedited processing
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Gather emergency documentation immediately
Medical certificates, death certificates, hospital letters — whatever documents the emergency.
Write a strong cover letter explaining urgency
Describe the relationship, the emergency, and why urgent travel is needed.
Apply online via IRCC Portal
Flag the application as compassionate/urgent. Pay IRCC fees.
Contact VAC / IRCC about emergency processing
Call VFS Canada helpline (1800-266-8858) to explain the emergency — they may expedite biometric appointment.
Visit VAC for biometrics + passport submission
Explain the emergency at the VAC — they may prioritize your application.
Receive decision and travel
Priority processing may take days instead of weeks. Collect passport and travel urgently.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Visitor Visa Application Form (IMM 5257)
Download latest version from IRCC. Required for all visitor/tourist visa applications.
Family Information Form (IMM 5645)
Mandatory for all applicants 18 years and older. Lists all family members.
Use of Representative Form (IMM 5476)
Only if using a representative to submit your application.
Authority to Release Information (IMM 5475)
Optional — authorizes someone else to receive updates about your application.
VFS Application Centres
💡 Pro Tips
- Time is critical — start application the day you learn of the emergency.
- Medical certificates must be signed by a doctor and include clear diagnosis + severity.
- Contact VFS Canada helpline (1800-266-8858) to flag urgency — ask about emergency processing.
- Bring original medical/death certificates to the VAC submission (they may verify on-site).
- Keep your Canadian family member informed — they may need to also contact IRCC directly.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Insufficient or unverified medical documentation
- 2.Urgency not clearly documented
- 3.Non-immediate family relationship (IRCC prioritizes immediate family only)
- 4.Delay in applying after emergency was known
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as 'immediate family' for compassionate visits?+
Can I get faster processing?+
What if the family member is outside Canada?+
Can SureshotVisa help with urgent processing?+
Let us prepare your Canada Compassionate Visit Visa — (TRV — Urgent Family) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
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Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Canada website and Embassy of Canada. Last verified 2026-04-13. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.