Inviting relatives to Canada is an important process that requires careful preparation of documents and understanding of immigration service requirements. If you live in Edmonton and want to invite your parents, grandparents, or other close relatives to visit you, you need to put together a comprehensive package of documents confirming both your ability to host them and their desire to return home after their visit. This article describes in detail all the necessary documents, procedures, and important nuances of the process.
Types of visas for relatives: understanding the difference
Before moving on to the documents, it is important to understand which type of visa is right for your situation. Canada offers several options for visiting relatives.
A regular visitor visa (Visitor Visa or Temporary Resident Visa) allows you to stay in Canada for up to six months per visit. This is the most common option for short-term visits, family celebrations, or tourist trips. Applying for this visa requires a standard set of documents, including a letter of invitation from you as the host.
Super Visa is a special category available exclusively to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The main advantage of a Super Visa is that it allows you to stay in Canada for up to two years per visit without having to renew your status. However, the Super Visa has more stringent requirements: mandatory medical insurance for a minimum of CAD 100,000 for a period of at least one year, a medical examination, and the host must meet the minimum income level (LICO + 30%).
It is important to note that for Ukrainians who are already in Canada under the CUAET program, there are also special rules for inviting close relatives under the family reunification program.
Documents that the inviting person (you) must prepare
As the person inviting relatives to Edmonton, you play a key role in the application process. The success of your relatives' visa application largely depends on the completeness and quality of your documents.
Documents confirming your status in Canada
First of all, you must prove your legal right to be in Canada and to invite relatives. Depending on your status, this may require different documents.
- If you are a Canadian citizen, provide a copy of your Canadian passport (pages with photo, personal data, and signature) or a citizenship certificate. For those born in Canada, a Canadian birth certificate is acceptable. If you obtained citizenship through naturalization, provide a copy of your Canadian citizenship card.
- Permanent residents of Canada must provide a copy of their PR card (both sides) or IMM 1000 (Proof of Landing) if the card has not yet been issued, or IMM 5292/IMM 5688 (Confirmation of Permanent Residence).
- If you are in Canada on a temporary permit (work or study), provide a copy of your valid Work Permit or Study Permit. It is important that this permit be valid for the entire period of your relatives' planned visit.
Invitation letter: structure and content
The invitation letter is one of the most important documents in the entire package. It is your personal appeal to the visa officer, in which you explain why you are inviting your relatives, for how long, and how you will provide for their stay.
The official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clearly defines what information the invitation letter should contain. It is important to include complete information about the person you are inviting:
- full name (as in the passport);
- date of birth;
- residential address and telephone number in the country of origin;
- your family relationship with this person;
- purpose of the trip (visiting relatives, attending a family event, tourism, etc.);
- length of planned stay in Canada (specific dates of arrival and departure);
- where the person will live during the visit and who will pay for their living expenses;
- date of planned return home.
Regarding your personal information, the letter must include:
- your full name and date of birth;
- full residential address in Canada (including postal code);
- your telephone number and email address;
- your occupation and place of employment;
- a clear description of your status in Canada (citizen, permanent resident, or temporary resident, indicating the type of permit);
- information about your family, including the names and dates of birth of your spouse and children, if any.
For supervisory purposes, the invitation letter must also contain a written promise of financial support for the entire period of the visit of parents or grandparents, as well as a list and number of persons included in the calculation of family size to determine financial requirements.
The format of the letter should be formal and professional. Use a business style of correspondence. Start with your address and date, then write an address to the visa officer. In the body of the letter, provide all the necessary information in a logical order. End the letter with your signature (preferably handwritten on a printed copy) and print your name.
Although official notarization of the invitation letter is not a mandatory requirement of IRCC, some visa offices may request a notarized letter. Therefore, it is recommended to clarify this information for the specific visa office that is processing your relative's application.
Proof of the inviting person's financial capacity
The visa officer must ensure that you have sufficient financial resources to support your relatives during their stay in Canada if you promise such support.
- One of the most important documents is the Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This is an official tax document that shows your taxable income for the previous year. For a regular visitor visa, it is advisable to provide the NOA for the last year, and for a super visa, it is mandatory to provide the NOA for the previous three tax years.
- If you are employed, include an official letter from your employer on the company's official letterhead. The letter should include your job title, start date, your annual salary or hourly rate, confirmation that you are a full-time employee, as well as the contact details of the human resources department and the signature of an authorized person.
- The last three to six months of your bank statements demonstrate your financial stability and sufficient funds. The statements must be official, on bank letterhead, stamped, and include your name, account number, and transaction history. It is important that your account balance remains stable during this period without any sudden large deposits immediately prior to submitting your application, as this may raise suspicion.
- Additionally, you can provide copies of your T4 (Statement of Remuneration Paid) or T1 (Income Tax Return), recent pay stubs for several months, documents confirming ownership of real estate in Canada (title deed, mortgage statement), or investment portfolios and savings.
There are specific minimum income requirements for super visas based on the size of your family and the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). According to 2025 data, if you are inviting your parents on a super visa, your income must be LICO + 30%. For example, for a family of two (you and the invited parent), the minimum required income is CAD 38,002 per year, for three people — CAD 46,720, for four — CAD 56,724.
Proof of family ties
It is important to prove that the person you are inviting is indeed your relative. This helps to establish the legitimacy of the invitation.
- If you are inviting your parents, provide a copy of your birth certificate showing your parents' names.
- To invite your spouse, you will need a marriage certificate.
- If you are inviting your siblings, you may need your birth certificates and their birth certificates showing that you have the same parents.
All documents that are not in English or French must be translated by a certified translator. Each translated document must be accompanied by the original or a notarized copy of the document in the original language.
It is also helpful to include family photos showing your relationship with the invited relatives over the years. This could include photos from family celebrations, gatherings, trips together, etc. It is recommended to add short captions with dates and descriptions of the events.
Proof of living arrangements
The visa officer must be satisfied that you have suitable living arrangements to accommodate your guests.
- Provide a copy of your lease or mortgage agreement confirming your right to reside at a specific address in Edmonton.
- You can also include utility bills (electricity, gas, internet, telephone) in your name for the last few months to confirm your address of residence.
- If you rent your home and plan to host relatives, make sure your lease allows guests, or obtain permission from your landlord. If you plan to host relatives in a hotel, provide proof of reservation.
Documents that relatives (applicants) must prepare
Your relatives who are applying for a visa are primarily responsible for preparing their own set of documents. Let's take a closer look at each of the required documents.
Completed application forms
The main forms that must be completed and submitted correctly are:
- IMM 5257 (Application for Visitor Visa) — this is the main application form for a visitor visa. The form must be downloaded from the official IRCC website, completed on a computer (not by hand), all questions answered, and after completion, the “Validate” button must be clicked, which will generate a barcode on the last page. Without this barcode, the form is considered invalid. The form must be printed, signed by hand, and dated. Key sections include personal information, visit details, finances, education, and employment history.
- IMM 5645 (Family Information Form) — a form with information about the family. Every applicant aged 18 and older must complete this form. It contains information about spouses, parents, all children, and siblings.
- IMM 5476 (Use of a Representative) — this form is only used if the applicant is using the services of an authorized immigration representative.
Valid passport
The passport is one of the most important documents in a visa application. It must be valid for at least six months after the planned date of departure from Canada. For super visas, it is recommended that the passport be valid for at least one year from the date of planned entry.
You must provide color copies of all pages of your passport that contain information: biographical page, signature page, all pages with visas and stamps. Even blank pages should be included for completeness.
Photographs
Photographs must meet the strict technical requirements of IRCC.
- For digital photographs: JPEG format, minimum 420×540 pixels, file size 60 KB - 4 MB.
- Image requirements: neutral facial expression, mouth closed, eyes open, white background, no shadows or glare. Glasses are allowed if the eyes are visible and there is no glare.
When uploading photos online, you must provide information about the photographer or photo studio: name, address, and date of shooting.
Proof of the applicant's financial capacity
Even if you, as the inviting person, promise financial support, applicants are advised to demonstrate their own financial resources.
- Bank statements for the last 3-6 months. They must be official, on bank letterhead, with a stamp and transaction history. It is important that there are no sudden large deposits without an explanation of the source.
- Documents about work/business. A letter from the employer (position, salary, length of service) or registration documents for sole proprietorships and tax returns.
- Recommended amount of funds. General rule: for a short visit (1-2 weeks) — CAD 3,500-5,000 per person, for a longer visit (1-3 months) — CAD 5,000-10,000.
Proof of ties to the country of origin
One of the most critical aspects is to convince the officer that the applicant will return home.
- Employment: A letter from the employer granting leave with job retention.
- Family: Birth certificates of children/marriage certificates if relatives remain at home.
- Property: Documents for real estate (apartment, house, land), car.
- Social ties: Pension card, student ID (with proof that studies are continuing).
Travel history
A positive travel history significantly increases your chances. Provide copies of previous visas (US, Schengen, UK) and entry/exit stamps. If your passport is clean, it is not a death sentence, but it does require stronger evidence of ties to your home country.
Letter of Explanation
Highly recommended document. This is an opportunity to personally explain:
- The purpose of the visit.
- The itinerary.
- The reasons for returning home.
- Sources of funding.
- Any “weak points” in the application (e.g., previous refusals).
Medical insurance (for supervisory visits)
A mandatory requirement for supervisory visits.
- Insurance company: Canadian.
- Coverage: Minimum CAD 100,000.
- Term: Minimum 1 year from the date of entry.
- Payment: Must be paid in full (or in installments according to the terms) before submitting the application.
Translation of documents
All documents not in English/French must have a certified translation.
- The translation must be complete and verbatim.
- It must include information about the translator and their signature/stamp.
- Important: The translation cannot be done by the applicant or their relatives.
Biometric data: procedure and requirements
After submitting the application, most applicants (aged 14-79) must provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo).
- Cost: CAD 85 (individual) / CAD 170 (family).
- Process: After payment, you will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). With it, you must make an appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC).
- Locations in Ukraine: Kyiv, Lviv.
- Locations in Edmonton (if the applicant is already in Canada): Service Canada (e.g., Millbourne or Hermitage Centre).
Medical examination
- Required for: All Super Visa applicants.
- For a regular visa: Usually not required for visits of up to 6 months (unless you have lived in certain countries for more than 6 months).
- Doctor: Only IRCC-approved (Panel Physician).
- Cost: ~140-280 CAD.
Applying: step-by-step instructions
- Create an account on the IRCC Portal.
- Fill out the application form. The system will determine the required list of documents.
- Upload the documents. All files must be in PDF format, up to 4 MB.
- Pay the fees. Visa (CAD 100) + Biometric (CAD 85).
- Submit your biometrics. After receiving the BIL letter.
- Send your passport. After receiving the Passport Request letter, send your passport to the visa center for visa affixing.
Processing times (as of the end of 2025):
- Applications from within Canada: ~19 days.
- Supervision: ~62 days.
- Applications from abroad: Varies depending on the country.
- Recommendation: Apply 3-4 months before your trip.
Common reasons for refusals and how to avoid them
- Insufficient ties to home. Solution: More documents about property, work, family at home.
- Unclear purpose of visit. Solution: Detailed itinerary, invitation to a specific event.
- Finances. Solution: Show cash flow, not just your balance. Avoid suspicious deposits before applying.
- Medical reasons. Solution: Be honest about your health.
Conclusion
Inviting relatives to Edmonton is a process that requires attention to detail. The key to success is consistency of information across all documents, honesty, and advance preparation. A professionally written invitation letter and a complete set of financial documents greatly increase the chances that your family will soon be with you in Canada.