On this page we talk about the documents required to obtain a visa to Canada.
To apply, some of the documents may vary depending on what type of visa you have and the situation in general, but there is a constant list that will be below.
If you need to apply for a visa for a specific purpose, then go to the appropriate page using the link below – there will be a list of current documents for the required type of visa:
- tourist visa ;
- student visa ;
- visit visa ;
- Work Visa .
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international passport
A foreign passport is your main travel document. It is mandatory for Russians to apply for a Canadian visa. A minimum of 2 blank pages is required.
Damage and the absence of any pages may indicate that the passport is invalid, please pay attention to this.
Canceled passports
Copies of visa and stamp pages, if available, are required. This will help prove your visa history and, accordingly, your reliability as a traveler.
As a rule, special attention is paid to trips within the last 5 years. But if you haven’t had many trips and they were earlier than 5 years ago, it’s better to include them.
Copy of national passport
Copies must be attached if you are submitting documents in your application that mention your national passport. For example, a bank certificate, real estate certificates.
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Photos
You will need to upload your photo electronically. Requirements:
- the photo must be taken no more than 6 months ago;
- background – white or light (light blue, light gray);
- the picture is clear, without blur or retouching;
- for personal submission – high-quality photo paper;
- glasses are allowed if they do not reflect or cover the eyes;
- Sunglasses are not allowed;
- the clothing style is monochromatic, colorful patterns are undesirable;
- a headdress is allowed if required by religion, but it must not cover the face;
- facial expression – neutral, eyes – fully open, face – facing the camera;
- photo size 3.5×4.5 cm.
Read more about photo requirements for a Canada visa .
Financial support
You can attach any documents as proof of finances; they will never be superfluous and will prove your reliability as an applicant.
- Statement from the bank.
This is a document that shows the movement of funds over a period of time. It is recommended to apply within the last 4 months. If the account balance is not indicated in the statement, supplement the package of documents with a certificate from the bank, which is described below.
Example of an extract from Sberbank - Bank reference.
This is a document for a visa, which indicates the account data: number, full name of the owner, possibly his date of birth and other personal data, as well as the type of account (credit, debit, savings) and the balance amount. There is no information about the movement of funds in such a document.
example of a certificate from Sberbank - Certificate from work.
If you want to apply for a visa to Canada, this document is very important. It is compiled by the employer: accounting department, human resources department, manager or the director himself.
The form of such a certificate in each company may be slightly different, but the most important thing is that it contains the following facts:
- company details (company letterhead);
- company contacts;
- Full name of the employee;
- employee’s position;
- date of his hiring;
- information about the salary;
- an indication that job-protected leave is provided;
- round seal and signature of the author of the certificate;
- date of preparation of the certificate.
A person cannot issue a work certificate to himself. Therefore, if you are an accountant or general director, the certificate must be signed by another authorized employee. And individual entrepreneurs instead attach a copy of the TIN and OGRN (or a record sheet), as well as financial statements for the last period.
- Help 2NDFL.
Such a document is not necessary for a visa to Canada, but if it is possible to provide it, great. This certificate format can be requested from the accounting department or from the employer. The form is established by law.
You can apply it to confirm your income. The reference period is for the last year.
Documents about connections with the Motherland
They are proof that you are motivated to return to your country of residence, and therefore have a significant impact on the outcome of your visa consideration.
Often people are refused precisely because the visa officer is not sure that they plan to return to their country and not become an illegal resident of Canada.
Typically these documents include:
- real estate certificates;
- marriage certificate (if your partner is not traveling with you);
- birth certificates of minor children (if they are not traveling with you);
- documents confirming the existence of a business;
- a certificate from work indicating the retention of the job;
- a certificate from an educational institution showing that you are still studying.
Document confirming the purpose of the visit
In general, it is not necessary to attach hotel reservations and tickets for a visa to Canada, but for a tourist visa you will have to write the travel itinerary, and if you have booked anything: a hotel, air, concert tickets, attach them too.
If the purpose of your trip is not tourism, but, for example, visiting relatives or friends, attach an invitation and documents from the inviter .
If the goal is a business meeting or conference, there may be different options from invitations to tickets.
For short-term courses or long-term studies (from 6 months) – documents confirming admission to an educational institution.
One way or another, you must confirm why you want to come to Canada. And most importantly, do not treat this formally, since the immigration service pays a lot of attention to studying such documents, and even your travel plan.
Questionnaires
For a visa to Canada you will need to fill out several forms. This is a questionnaire with basic information, a questionnaire about your family, and also a questionnaire indicating previous trips – in short. You may also need questionnaires depending on your specific situation, for example, a questionnaire from a representative of a minor applicant.
These documents must be filled out on a computer in a pdf editor, and verified there using a special button.
Documents for minors
If a child is going on a trip, then in addition to the general list of obvious documents, you must also provide:
- birth certificate;
- copies of parents’ Russian passports (page with photo and registration);
- sponsorship letter ;
- Consent for a child to travel abroad is issued if only one parent is traveling with the child. If a child is traveling accompanied by another adult and without parents at all, then consent is written from both parents, and the details of the accompanying person are also indicated.
Translation of all documents for a visa to Canada into English or French is required , if they are not provided in one of them. There is no need to translate passports.
Let’s sum it up
The package of documents for a visa to Canada is not much different from the list, for example, for a Schengen visa or a US visa. But the difficulty lies in the fact that the minimum list of documents is minimal, that basically it is not enough, and here it is better for the applicant to show enterprise and attach as much evidence of his reliability as possible.
And unlike the clear requirements of Europe, there are none here. You will be able to attach any evidence of your financial reliability and connections with the country of residence – a kind of space for creativity and freedom of action.
The Government of Canada only provides examples of various certificates that can confirm this, but does not limit the list of documents.
And, perhaps, the most important thing is authenticity. The documents must be genuine and contain real information about you.
If you have questions about what documents you need to submit for a visa to Canada in your particular case, then ask us through the feedback form.