Forms and documents
Gather the required documents you need before you apply.
All documents must be clear and easy to read. If we can’t read the information on your forms and documents
- we may return your application
- it may take us longer to process your application
On this page
- Letter of invitation from your child or grandchild
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of completing a medical exam
- Proof that your host is a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a registered Indian
- Proof of your relationship to the host
- Local visa office instructions
- Use of a representative form
- Get your documents translated
Letter of invitation from your child or grandchild
Your letter of invitation, written and signed by your host child or grandchild, must include
- proof that they meet or exceed the minimum necessary income
- Your child or grandchild’s spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the letter if they’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or registered Indian. Other family members of your host, such as siblings, can’t co-sign.
- the list and number of people included when your child or grandchild calculated their family size to determine the minimum necessary income
- The letter must also include the name and date of birth of each person.
Find out how to prove that your host meets the minimum necessary income requirement.
Using a co-signer
Your host child’s or grandchild’s spouse or common-law partner may co-sign the letter of invitation and provide proof of income, if required, to meet the minimum necessary income. Other family members of your host, such as siblings, can’t co-sign.
Proof of health insurance
You must have proof of a health insurance policy on each entry to Canada. If your health insurance will expire before you leave Canada, you should renew your policy to maintain coverage during your stay.
Your insurant must be from either
- a Canadian insurance company or
- an insurance company outside Canada that
- is authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) under the Insurance Companies Act to provide accident and sickness insurance, and appears on OSFI’s publicly available list of federally regulated financial institutions, and
- has issued or made the policy while doing insurance business in Canada
OSFI does not keep a list of foreign insurance companies that are outside Canada, unless they are registered with OSFI as branches or subsidiaries in Canada. Insurance brokers and insurance claims administrators are not insurance companies and will not appear on the OSFI list.
Health insurance policy details
The health insurance policy should
- include the insurance company name that issued the policy (sometimes known as “the insurer” or “the underwriter”)
- be valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry
- be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit (quotes aren’t accepted)
- cover the applicant’s health care, hospitalization and repatriation
- provide a minimum emergency coverage of $100,000
- be valid for each entry to Canada
- be available for review by the border services officers on request
All policies that are issued by a foreign insurance company must include a statement that the document was issued or made while the company was doing insurance business in Canada.
Proof of completing a medical exam
You must provide proof that you had a medical exam with an approved panel physician.
Proof that your host is a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a registered Indian
You must provide proof that your host is one of the following:
a Canadian citizen
Provide a copy of Canadian citizenship for your host (and their spouse or common-law partner if applicable).
a permanent resident
Provide a copy of a permanent resident document for your host (and their spouse or common-law partner, if applicable).
a registered Indian
Provide a copy of a Secure Certificate of Indian Status or Certificate of Indian Status (status card) for your host (and their spouse or common-law partner, if applicable).
Proof of your relationship to your host
You must prove that you’re the parent or grandparent of your host. We accept the following documents as proof:
- a copy of the host’s birth certificate or baptismal certificate
- another official document naming you as the parent or grandparent of your host
Local visa office instructions
Your visa office may require additional documents. Tell us where you’re applying from to get the visa office requirements for your country or territory.
Answer a few questions to get the next steps for your situation.
Where are you applying from?
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bonaire
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China (People’s Republic of)
- Colombia
- Comoros Island
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Curacao
- Czech Republic
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Holy See
- Honduras
- Hong Kong (SAR)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Martinique
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia (Federated States of)
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- North Macedonia (Republic of)
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestinian Authority (Gaza)
- Palestinian Authority (West Bank)
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tahiti
- Taiwan (Republic of China)
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste (Timor oriental)
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- US Virgin Islands
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Use of a representative form not always needed
If you use a representative to fill out your application, there is some additional information you’ll need to provide.
In the Contact Information section of the application, you must include the representative’s
- email address, and
- mailing address
You must also fill out the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form.
Who is a representative?
A representative is someone who:
- you’ve appointed by completing the IMM 5476 form;
- gives advice, consultation, or guidance to you at any stage of the application process; and
- has your consent to conduct business on your behalf with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
You’re not required to hire a representative. We treat everyone equally, whether they use the service of a representative or not.
Get your documents translated not always needed
Any document you plan to submit with your application that’s not in English or French must include
- the English or French translation and
- an affidavit from the person who completed the translation
- only if they’re not a certified translator
Who can translate documents
If any document is not in English or French, you must provide a translation along with the document in the original language. The documents you provide depend on your translator.
Translations may be done by either
- a Canadian certified translator
- a person who is fluent in both Canadian official languages (English or French) and in the language the documents are written in
If you have a certified translator
A certified translator is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada.
- The translator will seal or stamp the translated document.
- The seal or stamp will have a membership number that we can verify (to make sure the translator is certified).
If your translator is certified, provide the English or French translation of the document. The translator must
- translate the content in the same order as on the original document
- translate all the text showing on the original document, including the letterhead, fine print and stamps
- include the date the translation was done
If you don’t have a certified translator
You can also use an uncertified translator. The person must be fluent in both languages (the original language of the document and English or French).
The uncertified translator can’t be
- the applicant (you)
- your parent
- your guardian
- your sibling
- your spouse
- your common-law or conjugal partner
- your grandparent
- your child
- your aunt or uncle
- your niece or nephew
- your first cousin
If your translator is uncertified, include both of the following documents:
- the English or French translation
- The translated content should be in the same order as on the original document.
- The translation must contain all the text that appears in the original document, including the letterhead, fine print and stamps.
- Include the date the translation was done.
- an affidavit (sworn statement) from the translator
- This statement confirms the translator’s language skills and the accuracy of the translation.
The translator must swear an oath for the affidavit in the presence of an authorized person. The choice of authorized person depends on where the translation is done.
| Translated in Canada | The translator can swear the oath in front of
These options may vary by province or territory. If you’re not sure, consult your local provincial or territorial authorities. |
|---|---|
| Translated outside Canada | A notary public may be able to authorize the affidavit, depending on the country. If you’re not sure, consult your local authorities. |