How to apply
Venezuelan passport holders
You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application.
Prepare documents and apply
The way you apply and documents you need to submit with your visa application depend on why you’re traveling to Canada.
Step 1 Gather documents
Gather these documents to submit with your visa application and bring when you travel.
About the documents listed
- Not all documents listed below are required – some are optional.
- This is not an exhaustive list of acceptable proof to support your visa application.
- Only submit the Recommended documents that can prove you’re eligible for a visa.
- Even if you submit all the documents listed, there is no guarantee that we’ll approve your application.
- We may request more information from you outside of what is listed here.
Tourist
- Identity document
-
Documents we accept:
- passports (regular, official or diplomatic) from most countries (see exceptions below)
- alien’s passport for stateless persons
- US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
- US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
- other refugee travel documents for non-citizens
Documents we don’t accept:
- any passport issued by Somalia
- non-machine readable passports issued by the Czech Republic
- temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
- provisional passports issued by Venezuela
Details to include
A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada.
If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of
- the page that shows your birth date and country of origin, and
- any pages with stamps, visas or markings
If you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your
- name
- date of birth
- document number
- citizenship or residency status
- photo, and
- expiry date (if applicable)
Submit this document with your visa application
- Use of a representative (IMM 5476) (if applicable)
-
Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form.
Submit the completed form with your visa application
- Family information (IMM 5645) [PDF, 1.42 MB]
-
Each applicant 18 years or older must complete this form.
Submit the completed form with your visa application
- Minor children (if applicable)
-
Documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone.
Details to include
You may need to show
- a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and
- other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not
- Submit with visa application
- Show border services officer when you arrive in Canada
Recommended documents
- Travel history
-
If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past.
Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport.
Details to include
Include a clear copy of 1 or more of the following:
- your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
- entry and exit stamps
- study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
- expired or valid visas
Submit this document with your visa application
- Itinerary
-
Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do in Canada.
Details to include
Include copies of any of the following:
- flight details
- hotel reservations
- registration for an event
Submit with visa application
- Bank account statement
-
This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.
Details to include
Bank name and contact
This allows us to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.Proof it is your account
Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.Account details
At least 6 months of account details, including balances, helps us understand your financial situation.Submit with visa application
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475)
-
Use this form if you want to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release your personal information to someone you choose.
The person you choose will be able to get information on your case file, such as the status of your application.
Submit completed form with visa application
Business visitor
- Identity document
-
Documents we accept:
- passports (regular, official or diplomatic) from most countries (see exceptions below)
- alien’s passport for stateless persons
- US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
- US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
- other refugee travel documents for non-citizens
Documents we don’t accept:
- any passport issued by Somalia
- non-machine readable passports issued by the Czech Republic
- temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
- provisional passports issued by Venezuela
Details to include
A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada.
If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of
- the page that shows your birth date and country of origin, and
- any pages with stamps, visas or markings
If you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your
- name
- date of birth
- document number
- citizenship or residency status
- photo, and
- expiry date (if applicable)
Submit with visa application
- Use of a representative (IMM 5476) (if applicable)
-
Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form.
Submit with visa application
Recommended documents
- Travel history
-
If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past.
Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport.
Details to include
A clear copy of 1 or more of the following:
- your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
- entry and exit stamps
- study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside your country
- expired or valid visas
Submit with visa application
- Itinerary
-
Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do in Canada.
Details to include
Copies of any of the following:
- flight details
- hotel reservations
- registration for an event
Submit with visa application
- Bank account statement
-
This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.
Details to include
Bank name and contact
This allows us to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.Proof it is your account
Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.Account details
At least 6 months of account details, including balances, helps us understand your financial situation.Submit with visa application
- Employer information
-
A letter from your employer can confirm that you have a stable job and will return to it. It can also show that your employer supports your visit to Canada.
Details to include
The letter should be printed on your employer’s official letterhead.
The letter should include:
- date, no earlier than 3 months before you apply
- confirmation that you have a job with the employer
- your full name and date of birth
- date you started the job
- brief description of your job
- current salary
- contact information of your manager
- phone number
- email address
- employer information
- company name
- address
- street
- city
- state/province
- country
- Signature of employer. Your manager or human resources contact should print their name and sign the letter.
Submit with visa application
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475)
-
Use this form if you want to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release your personal information to someone you choose.
The person you choose will be able to get information on your case file, such as the status of your application.
Submit with visa application
- Letter of invitation
-
A letter from a business or company in Canada.
It can confirm that your purpose for visiting Canada is valid.
Details to include
A copy of the letter from the business or company inviting you to Canada. The letter must be written to you from the business or company.
Consult details to include in the letter
Visit family (Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act, or permanent resident of Canada)
- Proof of Relationship
-
Proof of your relationship with the person or family member inviting you to Canada.
Details to include
This can include a copy of
- a marriage certificate
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM5409)
- a birth certificate
- an official document naming you as a parent
Submit with visa application
- Identity document
-
Documents we accept:
- passports (regular, official or diplomatic) from most countries (see exceptions below)
- alien’s passport for stateless persons
- US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
- US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
- other refugee travel documents for non-citizens
Documents we don’t accept:
- any passport issued by Somalia
- non-machine readable passports issued by the Czech Republic
- temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
- provisional passports issued by Venezuela
Details to include
A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada.
If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of
- the page that shows your birth date and country of origin, and
- any pages with stamps, visas or markings
If you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your
- name
- date of birth
- document number
- citizenship or residency status
- photo, and
- expiry date (if applicable)
Submit with visa application
- Use of a representative (IMM 5476) (if applicable)
-
Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form.
Submit with visa application
- Family information (IMM 5645) [PDF, 1.42 MB]
-
Each applicant 18 years and older must complete this form.
Submit with visa application
- Minor children (if applicable)
-
Documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone.
Details to include
You may need to show
- a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and
- other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not
- Submit with visa application
- Show border services officer when you arrive in Canada
Recommended documents
- Letter of invitation
-
A letter written by your family member in Canada.
It can confirm that your purpose for visiting Canada is valid.
Details to include
A copy of the letter from the family member inviting you to Canada. The letter must be written to you from your family member.
Consult details to include in the letter
Submit with visa application
- Travel history
-
If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past.
Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport.
Details to include
A clear copy of 1 or more of the following:
- your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
- entry and exit stamps
- study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
- expired or valid visas
Submit with visa application
- Itinerary
-
Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do in Canada.
Details to include
Copies of any of the following:
- flight details
- hotel reservations
- registration for an event
Submit with visa application
- Bank account statement
-
This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.
Details to include
Bank name and contact
This allows us to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.Proof it is your account
Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.Account details
At least 6 months of account details, including balances, helps us understand your financial situation.Submit with visa application
- Employer information
-
A letter from your employer can confirm that you have a stable job and will return to it. It can also show that your employer supports your visit to Canada.
Details to include
The letter should be printed on your employer’s official letterhead.
The letter should include:
- date, no earlier than 3 months before you apply
- confirmation that you have a job with the employer
- your full name and date of birth
- date you started the job
- brief description of your job
- current Salary
- contact information of your manager
- phone number
- email address
- employer information
- company name
- address
- street
- city
- state/province
- country
- Signature of employer. Your manager or human resources contact should print their name and sign the letter.
Submit with visa application
- Statutory declaration of common-law union (IMM 5409)
-
Complete the form that declares you and your partner are in a common-law relationship. Also provide proof that you and your common-law partner have combined your affairs and set up a household together.
Details to include
Proof can include
- joint bank accounts or credit cards
- joint ownership of a home
- joint residential leases
- joint rental receipts
- joint utilities (electricity, gas, telephone)
- joint management of household expenses
- proof of joint purchases, especially for household items
- mail addressed to either person or both people at the same address
Submit with visa application
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475)
-
Use this form if you want to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release your personal information to someone you choose.
The person you choose will be able to get information on your case file, such as the status of your application.
Submit with visa application
Visit children or grandchildren. Super visa option.
- Letter of invitation
-
A letter written by your family member in Canada.
It can confirm that your purpose for visiting Canada is valid.
Details to include
A copy of the letter from the family member inviting you to Canada. The letter must be written to you from your family member.
Consult details to include in the letter
Submit with visa or super visa application
- Proof of medical insurance
-
For super visa applicants only. Proof that medical insurance for at least $100,000 coverage has been purchased from a Canadian insurance company.
Details to include
A copy of the insurance certificate or policy you received for medical insurance coverage for 1 year with a Canadian insurance company.
Submit with super visa application
- Proof that Child or Grandchild meets low income cut-off minimum (LICO)
-
Documents that show that the super visa applicant’s child or grandchild meets the low income cut-off minimum.
Details to include
Submit one of the following documents:
-
a copy of the most recent notice of assessment
- If the child or grandchild does not have a paper copy of their notice of assessment on file, they can view and print their tax returns as well as other personal tax information using the Canada Revenue Agency My Account online service.
- a copy of the child’s or grandchild’s most recent T4 or T1
- an original letter from the child’s or grandchild’s employer stating their job title, job description and salary
-
the child’s or grandchild’s employment insurance pay stubs, including
- A letter from an accountant confirming the child’s or grandchild’s annual income, if they are self-employed.
- Proof of other sources of income (pension statement, investments, etc.).
Submit with super visa application
-
a copy of the most recent notice of assessment
- Proof of Relationship
-
Proof of your relationship with the person or family member inviting you to Canada.
Details to include
This can include a copy of
- a birth certificate
- an official document naming you as a parent
Submit with super visa application
- Immigration medical exam
-
A document confirming that you had an immigration medical exam (IME).
The exam must conducted by a panel physician authorized by IRCC.
Get complete details about how to get a medical exam with a panel physician.
Submit with super visa application, or wait for instructions from the visa office.
- Identity document
-
Documents we accept:
- passports (regular, official or diplomatic) from most countries (see exceptions below)
- alien’s passport for stateless persons
- US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
- US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
- other refugee travel documents for non-citizens
Documents we don’t accept:
- any passport issued by Somalia
- non-machine readable passports issued by the Czech Republic
- temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
- provisional passports issued by Venezuela
Details to include
A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada.
If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of
- the page that shows your birth date and country of origin, and
- any pages with stamps, visas or markings
If you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your
- name
- date of birth
- document number
- citizenship or residency status
- photo, and
- expiry date (if applicable)
Submit with visa application
- Use of a representative (IMM 5476) (if applicable)
-
Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form.
Submit with visa application
- Family information (IMM 5645) [PDF, 1.42 MB]
-
Each applicant 18 years and older must complete this form.
Submit with visa application
- Minor children (if applicable)
-
Documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone.
Details to include
You may need to show
- a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and
- other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not
- Submit with visa application
- Show border services officer when you arrive in Canada
Recommended documents
- Travel history
-
If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past.
Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport.
Details to include
A clear copy of 1 or more of the following:
- your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
- entry and exit stamps
- study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
- expired or valid visas
Submit with visa application
- Itinerary
-
Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do in Canada.
Details to include
Copies of any of the following:
- flight details
- hotel reservations
- registration for an event
Submit with visa application
- Bank account statement
-
This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.
Details to include
Bank name and contact
This allows us to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.Proof it is your account
Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.Account details
At least 6 months of account details, including balances, helps us understand your financial situation.Submit with visa application
- Employer information
-
A letter from your employer can confirm that you have a stable job and will return to it. It can also show that your employer supports your visit to Canada.
Details to include
The letter should be printed on your employer’s official letterhead.
The letter should include:
- date, no earlier than 3 months before you apply
- confirmation that you have a job with the employer
- your full name and date of birth
- date you started the job
- brief description of your job
- current Salary
- contact information of your manager
- phone number
- email address
- employer information
- company name
- address
- street
- city
- state/province
- country
- Signature of employer. Your manager or human resources contact should print their name and sign the letter.
Submit with visa application
- Statutory declaration of common-law union (IMM 5409)
-
Complete the form that declares you and your partner are in a common-law relationship. Also provide proof that you and your common-law partner have combined your affairs and set up a household together.
Details to include
Proof can include
- joint bank accounts or credit cards
- joint ownership of a home
- joint residential leases
- joint rental receipts
- joint utilities (electricity, gas, telephone)
- joint management of household expenses
- proof of joint purchases, especially for household items
- mail addressed to either person or both people at the same address
Submit with visa application
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475)
-
Use this form if you want to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release your personal information to someone you choose.
The person you choose will be able to get information on your case file, such as the status of your application.
Submit with visa application
Visit family (temporary resident of Canada)
- Identity document
-
Documents we accept:
- passports (regular, official or diplomatic) from most countries (see exceptions below)
- alien’s passport for stateless persons
- US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
- US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
- other refugee travel documents for non-citizens
Documents we don’t accept:
- any passport issued by Somalia
- non-machine readable passports issued by the Czech Republic
- temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
- provisional passports issued by Venezuela
Details to include
A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada.
If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of
- the page that shows your birth date and country of origin, and
- any pages with stamps, visas or markings
If you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your
- name
- date of birth
- document number
- citizenship or residency status
- photo, and
- expiry date (if applicable)
Submit with visa application
- Use of a representative (IMM 5476) (if applicable)
-
Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form.
Submit with visa application
- Family information (IMM 5645) [PDF, 1.42 MB]
-
Each applicant 18 years and older must complete this form.
Submit with visa application
- Minor children
-
Documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone.
Details to include
You may need to show
- a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and
- other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not
- Submit with visa application
- Show border services officer when you arrive in Canada
Recommended documents
- Letter of invitation
-
A letter written by your family in Canada.
It can confirm that your purpose for visiting Canada is valid.
Details to include
A copy of the letter from the family member inviting you to Canada. The letter must be written to you from your family member.
Consult details to include in the letter
Submit with visa application
- Travel history
-
If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past.
Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport.
Details to include
A clear copy of 1 or more of the following:
- your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
- entry and exit stamps
- study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
- expired or valid visas
Submit with visa application
- Itinerary
-
Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do once in Canada.
Details to include
Copies of any of the following:
- flight details
- hotel reservations
- registration for an event
Submit with visa application
- Bank account statement
-
This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.
Details to include
Bank name and contact
This allows us to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.Proof it is your account
Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.Account details
At least 6 months of account details, including balances, helps us understand your financial situation.Submit with visa application
- Employer information
-
A letter from your employer can confirm that you have a stable job and will return to it. It can also show that your employer supports your visit to Canada.
Details to include
The letter should be printed on your employer’s official letterhead.
The letter should include:
- date, no earlier than 3 months before you apply
- confirmation that you have a job with the employer
- your full name and date of birth
- date you started the job
- brief description of your job
- current Salary
- contact information of your manager
- phone number
- email address
- employer information
- company name
- address
- street
- city
- state/province
- country
- Signature of employer. Your manager or human resources contact should print their name and sign the letter.
Submit with visa application
Visit for compassionate reasons
- Identity document
-
Documents we accept:
- passports (regular, official or diplomatic) from most countries (see exceptions below)
- alien’s passport for stateless persons
- US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
- US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
- other refugee travel documents for non-citizens
Documents we don’t accept:
- any passport issued by Somalia
- non-machine readable passports issued by the Czech Republic
- temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
- provisional passports issued by Venezuela
Details to include
A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada.
If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of
- the page that shows your birth date and country of origin, and
- any pages with stamps, visas or markings
If you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your
- name
- date of birth
- document number
- citizenship or residency status
- photo, and
- expiry date (if applicable)
Submit with visa application
- Use of a representative (IMM 5476) (if applicable)
-
Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form.
Submit with visa application
- Family information (IMM 5645) [PDF, 1.42 MB] (if applicable)
-
Each applicant 18 years and older must complete this form.
Submit with visa application
- Minor children (if applicable)
-
Documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone.
Details to include
You may need to show
- a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and
- other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not
- Submit with visa application
- Show border services officer when you arrive in Canada
- Letter of invitation
-
A letter written to you from a person or business inviting you to Canada.
It can confirm that your purpose for visiting Canada is valid.
Details to include
A copy of the letter from the person or business inviting you to Canada.
Consult details to include in the letter
Submit with visa application
Recommended documents
- Travel history
-
If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past.
Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport.
Details to include
A clear copy of 1 or more of the following:
- your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
- entry and exit stamps
- study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
- expired or valid visas
Submit with visa application
- Itinerary
-
Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do in Canada.
Details to include
Copies of any of the following:
- flight details
- hotel reservations
- registration for an event.
Submit with visa application
- Bank account statement
-
This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.
Details to include
Bank name and contact
This allows us to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.Proof it is your account
Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.Account details
At least 6 months of account details, including balances, helps us understand your financial situation.Submit with visa application
Step 2 Apply through the IRCC Portal
Step 2 Apply
To apply for a visitor visa to visit Canada on business, you need to qualify as a business visitor.
To qualify, you must show that:
- you plan to stay for less than 6 months,
- you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market, and
- your main place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada
Business visitor activities include business meetings, special events or training for a few days or weeks.
Note: If you plan to stay for more than 6 months, or plan to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to apply for a work permit.
To apply online, you need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and a valid credit or debit card.
Read the instruction guide before you complete your application. As an online applicant, you can ignore steps 3 and 4 of the guide (paying the fees and submitting your application).
If you’re applying for the first time, you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise you may experience delays.
Apply through the IRCC Secure account
Apply through the IRCC Portal
Only for tourists, visiting for business, family visits, compassionate reasons
Applying on paper for specific situations
If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada, you must apply online for one. Only online applications will be accepted and processed. However, you can apply on paper if:
- you can’t apply online because of a disability, or
- you’re travelling with an identity or travel document that was issued to a refugee, a stateless person or a non-citizen.
The application package includes an instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out.
Read the guide carefully before you complete your application. We will not refund your application fee, so make sure you need a visitor visa before you apply.
Each individual applicant must submit a completed application form. Applicants under the age of 18 must have this form signed by a parent or a guardian.
Download the application package
Pay your application fees
In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.
If you’re applying for the first time, you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise, you may experience delays.
Third-party fees
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:
- your medical exam
- a police certificate
Our instruction guides (opens in a new tab) can help you understand which fees apply to you.
Submit your application
Families should send their individual applications in one package. The principal applicant must send this combined package to the location where their application will be processed.
If you need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photograph), and you’re applying on paper, submit your application in person. VAC staff will check that it is complete and will confirm that you have paid the correct fees before you can give your biometrics.
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