Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — Family VisitVerified 2026-04-13Canada Family Visit Visa (TRV)
A Canada Family Visit Visa is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for Indian citizens travelling to visit family members in Canada. Your family member must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident, or a person registered under the Indian Act. The document set depends on your family member's specific status in Canada.
Processing
Varies — typically several weeks to a few months
Stay Duration
Up to 6 months per visit
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 immediate family (parents, siblings, children, spouse) in Canada
- Visiting extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins)
- Attending family weddings, funerals, reunions, anniversaries
- Short family trips combining Canada and other destinations
Not eligible under this visa:
- Spouses sponsored for PR — use the dedicated Spousal Visit Visa instead
- Compassionate emergencies (death, critical illness) — use Compassionate Visit Visa
- Stays longer than 6 months — different visa category required
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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 — Common Documents
- !Valid passport
- !Family Information Form (IMM 5645)
- !Biometrics fee payment
- !Bank account statements — 6 months
- !Proof of ties to India (employment, property, family)
Required — Family-Specific Documents
- !Identify family member's status in Canada
Canadian citizen / Permanent Resident / Temporary Resident / Person registered under Indian Act — different docs needed for each
- !Invitation letter from family member in Canada
Signed letter stating relationship, purpose of visit, exact dates, whether host is providing accommodation / funding
- !Proof of family member's Canadian status
Copy of their Canadian passport / PR card / temporary permit / Indian Act registration
- !Proof of relationship with your Canadian family member
Birth certificate (parent/sibling), marriage certificate (spouse), or similar
- ○Host's proof of accommodation in Canada
Rental agreement, property deed, or declaration of accommodation
- ○Host's financial documents
If sponsoring the visit — salary slips, tax returns, bank statements
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Identify your visa type
Use IRCC's 'Come to Canada' online tool (canada.ca/immigration) to confirm the right visa category, required documents, processing times, and fees for your situation.
Gather documents and submit online via IRCC Portal
Complete your visa application on the IRCC Portal, upload all supporting documents, and pay the IRCC application fee + biometrics fee (if first time).
Wait for the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL)
After submission, IRCC emails you a BIL — this confirms your biometric requirement. You must use THIS BIL for THIS application.
Book VAC appointment via AMS
As of Feb 21, 2026, appointments are booked through the Appointment Management System (AMS). From Feb 24, 2026 you must upload your BIL to schedule. Each family member needs their own appointment.
Visit the VAC for biometrics
Attend your VAC appointment. Staff capture fingerprints + digital photo. Submit any documents not uploaded online. Pay VFS service charges. Collect your receipt with tracking number.
Track your application
Use the tracking ID from the VAC receipt on VFS website, web chat, email, or helpline (1800-266-8858). VFS tracking shows passport LOCATION only, not processing stage. Online applications: check status on IRCC.
Wait for the Passport Request Letter from IRCC
DO NOT submit your passport until you receive this letter from IRCC. Each family member receives their own letter.
Submit passport through VAC
Submit original passport + IRCC passport request letter + biometrics sticker copy + VFS consent form. Effective Oct 9, 2023: Only applicant, parents (for minors), or 1 appointed family member can submit.
Collect your passport and decision
VAC emails you when passport is ready. Collect in person or by courier. Check visa details immediately: validity dates, entries, purpose.
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
- The invitation letter from your Canadian family member is the most important document — detailed, dated, and signed.
- Include proof of relationship clearly — birth certificate for parents/siblings, marriage certificate for spouse.
- If your family member is funding the visit, include their financial documents; otherwise show your own funds.
- If your host is a Canadian citizen / PR, attach a copy of their Canadian passport or PR card.
- Demonstrate strong ties to India — Canadian officers want to see you'll return.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Weak or generic invitation letter
- 2.Host's Canadian status not clearly documented
- 3.Insufficient proof of relationship
- 4.Applicant's own ties to India appear weak
- 5.Financial support unclear — neither host nor applicant shown clearly
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Family Visit Visa and Tourist Visa?+
Does my Canadian family member need to do anything?+
Can children / elderly parents visit on this visa?+
Can SureshotVisa help?+
Let us prepare your Canada Family Visit Visa — (TRV) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Canada Visa Types
Canada Tourist Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa (TRV) from India. Complete guide on IRCC fees, documents, biometrics, application process through VFS Global, and 10 VAC centres across India.
Canada Business Visitor Visa (TRV)
Canada Business Visitor Visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, conferences, and business events in Canada. Stay less than 6 months. Not entering the Canadian labor market.
Canada Study Permit
Canada Study Permit for Indian students enrolling at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Complete guide on IRCC fees, documents, PAL requirements, and 2026 updates.
Canada Work Permit — Informational
Canada Work Permit — informational guide for Indian applicants. SureshotVisa does NOT handle work permit procurement; this page is for information purposes only.
Canada Spousal Visit Visa (TRV — Spouse of PR Sponsor)
Canada Spousal Visit Visa for Indian spouses whose Canadian partner has sponsored them for Permanent Residence. Faster processing available while PR application is in progress.
Canada Compassionate Visit Visa (TRV — Urgent Family)
Canada Compassionate Visit Visa for urgent visits due to critical illness, death, or other humanitarian reasons. Priority processing available with strong supporting evidence.
Canada Seafarer / Marine Crew Visa (TRV)
Canada Seafarer / Marine Crew Visa for Indian seafarers joining a vessel as crew in Canadian ports. Temporary Resident Visa for duration of contract.
Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — For Visa-Exempt Nationals
Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) — important information for Indian citizens. Most Indians need a Tourist Visa (TRV), NOT an eTA. eTA is for visa-exempt nationals.
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.