application for a temporary resident visa – checklist - Canada ...

APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA – CHECKLIST
• Consult our website for forms and instructions: www.uae.gc.ca
• All documents must be submitted at the same time as your application and processing fee.
• Any document not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.
• Failure to submit all required documentation may result in the refusal of your application or processing delays.
• False statements or submission of fraudulent documents will result in immediate refusal.
You must submit the following items:
Application For Temporary Residence Visa Made Outside of Canada (IMM5257)
• This form must be validated, dated and signed. Applications without a barcode validation will no longer be
accepted and instead will be returned to applicants.
• Each person travelling, including children, must complete a separate application form.
• Make sure you include your mailing and residential addresses, a reliable phone number and email address (if
you agree to email communications).
Family Information Form (IMM5645)
• This form must be completed by each person 18 years of age or older.
• Complete all sections. If a section does not apply to you, write "Not Applicable" or "NA".
Valid passport/travel document
• Each person travelling, including children, must have their own passport.
• Passports must have at least one blank page and must be valid for at least one month from the date you
intend to leave Canada.
NOTE: Certain applications take several weeks to process. If the processing time for your category exceeds 2 weeks and
you do not wish to submit your original passport for the duration of the processing of your application, you must provided a
photocopy of the complete pages of your passport.
Gulf residence visa
• If your most recent Gulf residence visa is not affixed on your valid passport, please provide a copy.
Two passport photographs signed, dated and taken in the past six (6) months, for each applicant. Staple
the photographs on the application form without marking the face.
Processing fee
• Ensure that you have paid the correct non-refundable fee.
• Please refer to our website for the Fee Schedule and payment instructions.
Proof of sufficient funds
If employed:
• Copies of your personal bank statements for the past three (3) months
• Your employment Letter on letterhead paper from your employer granting leave of absence and including
the following informaiton: your name, designation, period of employment, current salary, full name of the
company, mailing address, e-mail, phone and fax number.
If you are a self-employed person or a business owner:
• Copies of your company’s trade license indicating the expiry date and the number of shareholders in the
company. This document must always be accompanied by an English or French translation.
• Copies of your personal bank statements for the past three (3) months.
If you are not paying for your own trip:
• Indicate how your trip will be funded. Submit supporting documentation.
(example: Your spouse/parents’ bank statements, employment letter, etc.)
For all cases:
• Any other relevant documentation you wish to submit in
support of your application. (pay slips, property
ownership, proof of pension, investments etc.)
Self-addressed ARAMEX airway bill OR a self-addressed C4 or C5 envelope if you are applying by
courier or wish to avoid queuing at the Embassy for
passport pick-up.
All Canadian visa applicants applying through our office will receive specially negotiated rates from Aramex for
the return of passports by courier. Please click here for additional guidelines and for complete information on
applicable courier charges.
When submitting a self-addressed pre-paid Aramex airway bill or a self-addressed C4 or C5 envelope, you
must ensure that you clearly
write the following:
• Your complete name
• Your complete physical address (NO P.O. BOX)
• Your phone number (country code + area code + phone number)
• Alternative contact information (country code + area code + phone number), if applicable.
√

If applicable, please also submit:
Proof of previous travels within the past 5 years (if visas/stamps are not on your current passport)
• Copy of visas issued to you within the past 5 years.
• Copy of entry/exit stamps of your travels within the past 5 years.
Letter of consent for minor children travelling with only one or neither parent
• Minors (under 18 years of age) travelling alone or with a person other than their parents or legal guardians
should have a letter of authorization, preferably in English or French, signed by both parents or legal
guardians. It should also include the name of the adult who will be responsible for the children in Canada.
• Non-accompanying parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must provide a copy of a valid official government issued
document which shows the non-accompanying parent’s name, date of birth and signature.
(example: the biographical page of the passport and the signature page).
Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada (IMM5257 –
Schedule 1)
• You may be required to com ple te this form if you
have answered “Yes” to any of questions 3 to 7 under
Background Information of the Application For Temporary Residence Visa Made Outside of Canada
Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476)
Applicable if someone is assisting you in completing your application or you would like someone to do business
with our office on your behalf.
Authorization letter for a third party to pick up your passport.
Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union IMM5409
PRIVATE VISITORS (VISITING FAMILY OR FRIENDS):
Persons in Canada hosting foreign nationals may provide the personal information below on a purely voluntary
basis.
• An invitation letter, email or fax stating the planned dates of your visit, the host’s full address, phone
number and a signature clearly visible;
• A copy of the inviter’s citizenship or immigration status document (e.g. permanent resident card – please
copy both sides, study permit, work permit, etc.).
Note: Some inviters or hosts may prefer not to provide their personal information directly to the applicant for
submission to the Visa Office. In this case, please enclose a note to this effect. Please be advised that this
may lead to slower processing in some
cases.
FOR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS APPLYING FOR A SUPER VISA:
• Proof of relationship to Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Satisfactory evidence of private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company, valid for a minimum
of one year from the date of entry (minimum $100,000 coverage for health care, hospitalization and
repatriation).
• Letter of invitation from host child or grandchild which must state details of the number of persons in the
host's household. The host (and his or her spouse, if applicable) must also provide latest Notice of
Assessment, T4 or paystubs.
BUSINESS VISITORS:
If employed, an original letter on letterhead paper from your employer granting leave of absence and
including: your name, position, length of employment and current salary. This letter must include the full
name of the company, their mailing address, phone and fax numbers.
Letter or fax of invitation on letterhead from the Canadian company you will be visiting this letter should
include the purpose of the visit, the dates of the visit, name of contact person from the company in Canada,
their full address, phone and fax numbers, and email address.
RETURNING STUDENTS (HOLDING A VALID STUDY PERMIT):
Letter of admission for the upcoming academic semesters.
Transcript of grades from the previous semester.
Copy of your valid Canadian Study Permit.
Proof of sufficient funds from the individual or institution funding your studies. (example: bank statements for
the last 3 months, salary certificates, etc.)
FOR CHILDREN TRAVELLING DURING PERIODS OTHER THAN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS:
A letter from your school confirming that you are currently enrolled and in good standing, and that the school
has approved your absence.
PERSONS TRANSITING THROUGH CANADA
Copy of your air ticket and itinerary clearly indicating number of times you will be entering Canada, and the
date(s) and time(s) for each entry.
Valid visa from the country of your final destination, if applicable.
√
√
√
√
√
√
√

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. When should I apply?
2. I am holding a diplomatic/special/service passport. Do I need a visa?
3. Is my passport/travel document valid for travel to Canada?
4. My passport expires soon. Will this impact my TRV application?
5. My residence visa in the Gulf expires soon. Will this impact my TRV application?
6. I am travelling with my minor child without my spouse. What documents must I present?
7. I plan to travel several times to the United States during my stay in Canada. Should I apply for a single or multiple entry visa?
8. I have a permanent resident (immigration) application in process. Can I apply for a TRV?
9. My application was approved and I already got my TRV. What does the expiry date on my visa mean?
10. How long can I stay in Canada?
11. I was issued a TRV but was not able to use it before the expiry period. Can I apply for an extension?
12. Should I get medical insurance before travelling to Canada?
13. My family is planning a trip to Canada and we would like our nanny to accompany. What documents must our Nanny
present?
14. I live in Canada. How do I invite a friend or relative to visit me?
15. My application was refused. What can I do?
1. When should I apply?
You may submit your application not more than 4 months before the date of your proposed trip. It is strongly
recommended that you submit your application a few weeks before your intended date of travel especially during
the high season (May to August). Please ensure that your application is complete before it is submitted for
processing to avoid delays.
2. I am holding a diplomatic/special/service passport. Do I need a visa?
Holders of diplomatic or special/service passports from the following countries require a visa prior to entering
Canada. However, they are exempt from paying the processing fees.
3. Is my passport/travel document
valid for travel to Canada?
• SOMALIA: If you are holding a Somali Passport, please contact our office before submitting an application for a
temporary resident visa (TRV).
• EGYPTIAN TRAVEL DOCUMENT FOR PALESTINIAN REFUGEES: If you are holding an Egyptian Travel
Document for Palestinian Refugees, please contact our office before submitting an application for TRV.
• IRAQ: The following passports issued to Iraqi nationals are VALID for travel to Canada:
H Series issued/re-issued prior to 19th of March 2003
G Series
S Series
• LEBANON: We will not issue a visa to a Lebanese national holding a passport with an additional booklet. A new
passport must be obtained before the application is finalized, if approved.
• INDIA: Indian passports with serial numbers Z-000001 to Z-045925 have been recalled by the Indian
Government and are no longer accepted as valid travel documents. If you have one of these passports you cannot
use it to apply for a visa to Canada. You must obtain a new Indian passport from the Indian Government.
IMPORTANT:
• A severely damaged passport/travel document will not be accepted as a valid document to travel to Canada.
Before submitting your application you must obtain a new passport/travel document.
• Each person travelling (including children) must have his/her own passport. Children who are included in either
parent’s passport must obtain a separate passport before a TRV can be issued.
4. My passport expires soon. Will this
impact my temporary resident visa (TRV) application?
A TRV becomes invalid when a passport expires. Therefore, we cannot issue a TRV with a validity that exceeds the
expiry date of your passport. If your passport will expire within 6 months, you may want to renew it before you
apply for a TRV.
Also, please ensure that there is at least one blank page with no stamps in your passport. If there are no blank
pages, we will not issue a visa and you will be requested to get a new passport.
Before you apply for a new passport, you may want to check which passports/travel documents are valid for entry
to Canada (See Frequently Asked Question # 3).
5. My residence visa in the
Gulf expires soon. Will this impact my temporary resident ( TRV)
application?
In order to satisfy the Visa Officer that you will return to the Gulf after your authorized stay in Canada, you may
be asked to renew your Gulf residence visa before we issue a TRV if you intend to return to the Gulf.
6. I am travelling with my minor child without my spouse. What documents must I present?
You must present a copy of your child’s birth certificate as well as a letter of authorization, in English or French,
signed by the parent who is not travelling with the child. The letter of authorization should give the address and
telephone number of the non-accompanying parent. It is not necessary for the letter to be certified, but a certified
letter is acceptable.
A photocopy of the passport or national identity card of the non-accompanying parent, with the bearer’s signature,
should be attached.
If neither of the parents is travelling, documents will be required from both parents.

If the parents are separated or divorced and the parent who is accompanying the child has sole custody, a copy of
the custody decision should be presented. If one of the child’s parents is deceased, a copy of the death certificate
should be presented. If the child has been adopted or is under guardianship, a copy of the adoption or
guardianship papers should be presented.
Please note: These documents are not always requested upon entry to Canada, but they may be. We therefore
strongly recommend bringing them in case they are required by the immigration officer at the port of entry (POE
airport or land border crossing). A minor child will not be admitted to Canada if the officer is not satisfied that his
parents or legal guardian have authorized his/her stay.
7. I plan to travel several times
to the United States of America (USA) during my stay in Canada. Must
I apply for a single or multiple entry visa?
If you have a valid USA visa and a valid Canadian visa, A single entry temporary resident visa (TRV) may be used
for repeated entries into Canada directly from the USA as long as you are travelling within the period authorized
by the immigration officer when you first enter Canada (or the period authorized by an extension of your status).
This is no longer true once you leave Canada or the USA for another country.
8. I have a permanent resident (immigrant) application in-process. Can I apply for a temporary
resident visa
(TRV)?
You may apply for a Temporary Resident Visitor Visa even if you have a Permanent Resident Application in process
but you must be able to statisfy a Visa Officer that you would leave Canada at the end of your proposed visit.
9. My application was approved and I got my temporary resident visa (TRV). What does the expiry
date on my visa mean?
The expiry date on a TRV indicates the date by which you must arrive in Canada and NOT the date by which you
must leave Canada. You must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry period which is read “DAY/MONTH/YEAR”
(DD/MM/YYYY). For example, the expiry date on your visa is 02/05/2011. You MUST enter Canada before May 2,
2011. For information on how long you may remain in Canada (See Frequently Asked Question # 10).
10. How long can I stay in Canada?
The port of entry (POE) officer in Canada will determine how long you are authorized to stay in Canada. Most
visitors are accorded a 6 month stay. If the POE officer authorizes a stay of less than 6 months, he/she will
indicate in your passport the date by which you must leave Canada. If, for whatever reason, you want to stay
longer in Canada than your authorized stay, you must apply for an extension at least 6 weeks prior to the
authorized end of your stay. Please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website for more
information.
11. I was issued
a temporary resident visa (TRV) but was not able to use it before the expiry period.
Can it be extended?
No. A TRV cannot be extended beyond the expiry date. You must submit an entirely new TRV application along
with the fees. It is also recommended that you provide a brief explanation why the visa was not used.
12. Should I obtain medical insurance before travelling to Canada?
In the event of an accident or a serious illness while in Canada, medical costs can be very high. We strongly
recommend that you take out insurance valid for your entire stay in Canada. In some cases, a Visa Officer may
request proof of medical insurance prior to issuing a temporary resident visa (TRV).
13. My family is planning a trip to Canada and we would like our nanny to accompany. What
documents must my nanny present?
In addition to the suggested documents indicated on the TRV application checklist, nannies who are accompanying
their employers to Canada must present the following documents:
• proof of employment from their employer;
• proof of employer’s income;
• proof of previous travel, if applicable.
Providing all the suggested documents to support the application does not guarantee that we will issue a TRV. The
Visa Officer must be satisfied that the applicant will leave Canada at the end of his/her authorized stay.
14. I live in Canada. How d
o I invite a friend or relative to visit?
If you are inviting a friend or a relative to visit you in Canada, a letter, e-mail or fax of invitation may be
submitted with the temporary resident visa (TRV) application.
The following information may be voluntarily provided on the invitation letter:
• your full name;
• your home address;
• your home, work and cell phone numbers;
• your relationship to the person you are inviting (e.g.; fiancé(e), sister, aunt, cousin, childhood friend)
• reasons for visit;
• what expenses will you cover, if any? (e.g. airfare, accommodation, etc.);
• the dates and length of the proposed visit;
• your signature clearly stated and visible
You may wish to provide a photocopy of your status in Canada (example: citizenship or permanent residence card)

Please remember that although you may provide documentation in support of an application of a friend or relative,
the decision of the Visa Officer is based on the applicant's circumstances, and not on any personal or financial
guarantees that you or others may be prepared to offer on that person's behalf.
Please note:
Should you decide to provide the applicant an invitation letter, you should not send the invitation directly to our
office. The invitation letter must be included in the TRV application upon submission, if applicable. Invitation
letters received at our office without a complete application will not be kept.
15. My application was refused. What can I do?
Written reasons for the refusal are given to the applicants. The Visa Officer assesses the application based on the
information provided and must be satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements of the Immigration and
Refugee Protection Act and Regulations.
If your personal or professional circumstances have changed significantly and you believe that it would result in a
different decision, you may choose to reapply. If, however, there is no change in your situation, it is unlikely that a
new application would result in the issuance of a visa.