New Documents Required for Canada Tourist Visa from India 2025

Written by

Sukanta Bera

Fact check by

Shreya Pandey

Updated on

Jul 25,2025

Documents Required for Canada Tourist Visa from India - TerraTern

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How to apply for a Canada tourist visa in 2025? The most essential part of your application is the documents required for Canada tourist visa from India. Even one document may slow down your desires to travel in Canada or get rejected. There are now up to date methods of biometrics and other document inspections so have a precise idea as to what you require. Indian citizens are now undergoing the visitor visa (TRV) process in Canada with biometrics, enhanced financial investigations and a direct disclosure necessitating demonstration of links to India to easily pass the process.

 

Latest Essential Documents Required for Canada Tourist Visa from India

Woman draped in Canada flag; Documents Required for Canada Tourist Visa from India - TerraTern

The following is a complete checklist to guide you through making a solid Canada visitor visa application without the risk of having it delayed or being rejected. It lists all the documents required for Canada tourist visa from India so that you can ensure that you have the required documentation first before you can go ahead and make an appointment to hand in your biometrics or submit your forms.

A well-documented document file (which must be complete and easily understood) will not only make quick processing possible, but will also prove and show you have the intent to travel as well as the necessary finances to travel, developing your possibilities to visa-easily pass. Regardless of whether you want to visit relatives, go to some event, or explore the beautiful cities in Canada, this checklist will help you step by step to prepare your documents correctly in the process of applying to obtain the Canada tourist visa in 2025.

Passport

The following documents required for Canada tourist visa from India should be provided in order to fit into the passport requirements:

  • Valid Indian passport that has a sufficient period of at least six months, beyond your planned date to be in Canada when returning.

  • Two or more blank pages to stamp a visa and records of entry/exit.

  • All pages with visas, stamps and your personal information are copied and made certain that it is done on the same page as your application forms.

  • The main identity document in the application for your visa is the passport, and make sure it is not close to expiry.

Photographs

In your application of the documents required for Canada tourist visa from India, you must have:

  • Two up-to-date passport-size colour photographs which are within the Canadian specifications of passport application pictures.

  • The size should be 35mm x 45mm.

  • On a white background, the facial expression must be neutral, without headgear unless worn out of religious imperatives.

  • It is large in size and printed on glossy photo paper, shadow and reflection-free.

These are the photos that will serve as your visa vignette; therefore, consider them exactly as the requirement to ensure that you are not delayed.

Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide to Express Entry Canada

Proof of Funds

You need to demonstrate that you will not be in dire financial need in financing your trip to Canada and have all the documents required for Canada tourist visa from India. Include:

  • The last 6-month bank statements with no changes in balance and transactions.

  • 3 years of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) to indicate regular income.

  • 3 months' earlier payslips in the case of employment to show current employment.

  • Property documentation (optional) to build more value to your financial status.

  • Showing financial stability can also be achieved by having fixed deposits or investments.

Having visible financial evidence will convince the visa officer that you will be able to meet your transportation, boarding and general daily expenses when in Canada.

Visa Application Form and Fees

In order to get a Canada tourist visa in India, one must:

Find, download, fill and print the needed forms and documents required for Canada tourist visa from India:

  • Visa form IMM 5257 (Visitor Visa form).

  • IMM 5645 (Family Information Form) in case of.

  • The visa fee of CAD 100 can be paid online.

  • Pay the biometric fee CAD 85 in case you are giving biometrics first time or as required.

  • Make payments, print receipts and save them to be submitted along with the application document.

Make sure that your forms are filled properly so that there will be no delay or rejection upon processing.

Cover Letter

Make a cover letter in the documents required for Canada tourist visa from India application explaining:

  • The reason behind your visit (on a trip, meeting relatives, going to festivals, etc.).

  • Short-term planned date of travel and the period to be spent in Canada.

  • Information on how the trip will be financed, either through self or family sponsorship.

  • Evidence of an India connection (work, relatives, house) to ensure that you are going back there to experience your stay.

An open and straightforward cover letter reinforces your application because it can lend credibility to your travelling intentions.

Letter of Invitation (If Applicable)

In case you are staying with relatives or friends in Canada, you should add the following to the list of documents required for Canada tourist visa from India:

  • An invitation letter that your host writes to you, including the relationship and the reason you are visiting.

  • Documentary evidence of the Canadian citizenship or PR status of your host (copy of the PR card or passport).

  • Their latest address and numbers in Canada.

  • A monetary assurance of your host, in case she is sponsoring the accommodation or overspending on your living expenses in the country.

It is not compulsory to have one, but a letter of invitation can be used to boost your call in case you will be staying with your relatives or friends.

Also Read: Canada Visitor Visa To Work Permit: All The Information

Travel Itinerary

Make a Canada travel itinerary in India about the plans you are going to follow, under documents required for Canada tourist visa from India:

  • Booking of flight (recommended to hold the ticket and not confirm the tickets).

  • Address and contact of hotel reservations.

  • Itinerary of what you plan to see per day, including the trips between cities and other major activities.

The level of preparations and intention of your travel to the visa officer will be articulated with a detailed itinerary.

Proof of Ties to India

To prove that you will come back after visiting India, provide information on connections with India with documents required for Canada tourist visa from India:

  • An employment letter which confirms your status of employment and which gives permission to take leave, or a student ID, in case you are still a student.

  • Certain evidence of property ownership documents or a lease agreement that indicates residential links in India.

  • Copies of family-related documentation, such as dependent family members or marriage certificates, in case of any.

These will make the visa officer have confidence that you have the intention of going back home after visiting Canada.

Proof of Good Health and Police Clearance

In some cases, you might have to give the following documents required for Canada tourist visa from India:

  • A medical examination document issued by a panel physician of his/her choice, in case requested by the visa office.

  • A police clearance certificate that will certify your lack of criminal records, especially when your stay is supposed to be longer.

These will be informed to you once you are applying at the visa office.

 

Current Special Requirements for Specific Applicants

Camera, flowers and map; Documents Required for Canada Tourist Visa from India - TerraTern

Most people can adhere to the general documents required for Canada tourist visa from India but depending on the age, type of the job or their personal status, some applicants have to provide extra documents along with the Canada tourist visa to India. These are fundamental requirements which make the visa officer understand your situation well and thus evaluate you accordingly.

Make sure you have the following additional requirements on top of the primary checklist to prevent rejection or delays of approval, in case you are: a minor, self-employed, 10-year visa, and a previous Indian citizen. With these at hand, you will increase your chances by showing that you are more than counted down to your Canada trip 2025.

For Minors

In case the applicant is under 18 years, extra documents are required for a Canada tourist visa from India to make the child's trip legal and with no risks. You have to provide:

  • The birth certificate of the minor is required to verify his/her age and parentage.

  • Identity checks by use of passport copies of both parents.

  • A consent letter to be signed by both parents in case the minor is on the trip without a partner or with a single parent that permits the trip, the exact day of travelling, and the information of the person accompanying the minor.

These are crucial documents to prove that there is absolute parent approval and that the minor meets the conditions of the Canadian immigration regulations.

For Self-Employed

In case you are self-employed and you are pursuing the documents required for Canada tourist visa from India then you are expected to demonstrate the stability of your business and income in the following ways:

  • Registratory documents that reveal legal ownership and operational rights of your business.

  • GST registration certificates where your business is GST registered.

  • Bank statements of the past 6 months showing regular movement of money to show your financial ability, run by the company.

  • The most recent Income Tax Returns (ITRs) were either filed on behalf of your business or in your name as the proprietor.

These papers also make the visa officer have confidence in the status of your finances and that you intend to go back to India and carry on your business there.

Also Read: Multiple Entry Visa Canada: Latest Requirements & Fees

For 10-Year Visa & Former Indian Nationals

In case you are applying for 10-year multiple-entry visa application or you are a former Indian national, you might need to submit other additional documents required for Canada tourist visa from India to prove your eligibility:

  • Evidence of Indian descent, i.e. your OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) or PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card, as the case may be.

  • Surrender certificate of your indian passport in case you have obtained citizenship of another country and renounced your Indian citizenship.

  • The landing paper or evidence of an earlier stay in Canada, where you have lived before, may be relevant to your application.

These papers will assist the Canadian authorities in checking your name and make sure that you are suited to receive a long-term visa, increasing your chances of getting it.

Step-by-Step Application Process for Canada Tourist Visa from India in 2025

Image of Canadian flag; Documents Required for Canada Tourist Visa from India - TerraTern

These are the steps you should take in order to apply for documents required for Canada tourist visa from India without any problems. It will help to organise better and be prepared to know everything about all the stages of the process to prevent frequent mistakes which result in delays or rejection. Providing the right documents, paying your fees before the due date and sitting at your biometrics appointment are all important steps that can assure you of your successful application. Remaining active and updating on your application status will not only put you at ease, but it will also increase your chances of having your visa processed in time.

Gather Documents & Fill Forms

The first step that is required to follow to get a Canada tourist visa in India is to list all documents required for Canada tourist visa from India. All these documents that are listed below are essential and mandatory to submit your application.

Then download, complete and print the forms required:

  • Visitor Visa form IMM 5257.

  • IMM 5645 ( Family Information Form ) as may be necessary.

Be sure to check all information twice, to maintain a consistent level of information in your documents and forms, since a small inconsistency might result in the delay of the processing or even rejection.

Payment of Fees

When you have everything here, go ahead with the payment of the visa application fee of CAD 100 alongside the biometric fee of CAD 85 (if it is needed). The payments are usually done online on the official IRCC portal or using instructions given by the Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Maintain the payment receipts under proper care since they shall be required to be filed together with your application document to serve the purpose of reference as well as tracking.

Online Submission & Biometrics Appointment

Once the payment is done, set up an account in the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) portal in the case of online applications, or make your physical copies ready to submit to VFS, in case the application is offline.

  • Apply online by uploading all the forms and documents, or make an appointment at the nearest VFS Global centre if you want to submit in person.

  • Make an appointment with VAC and have the visa process completed by providing your fingerprints and photo.

  • Most Indian candidates are required to submit a biometric, and a biometric is normally valid up to 10 years, which helps to minimise the need to resubmit in future applications during this duration.

Passport Submission & Visa Stamping

When it has been received and accepted, you will be told to send your passport by post to have your visa stamped with all the documents required for Canada tourist visa from India:

  • When you have applied online, you will get a request for passport submission to your IRCC account.

  • Hand over your passport at the assigned VAC together with the passport submission letter.

  • As soon as the visa has been stamped, you will be informed that you can collect your passport; alternatively, you can use the delivery service through a courier (depending on the services offered by the VAC).

Also Read: Does Canada Accept PTE for Student Visa? Latest Guide

Latest Tips to Avoid Tourist Visa Rejection

Errors in documents required for Canada tourist visa from India or lack of information are some of the most common reasons of rejections and could be easily prevented by doing it carefully. This is how to reduce the risk of refusal and maximise the possibility of having your Canada tourist visa accepted:

  • Make sure that all the forms are properly completed with uniform, true and truthful facts that can be corroborated by your supporting evidence. Some inconsistencies may pose red flags.

  • Do not upload the false and/or edited documents, because they will automatically get rejected and result in future prohibitions. It is important to tell the truth.

  • Give visible and sufficient financial evidence to prove that you will be able to sustain yourself throughout your visit without depending on illegal job opportunities or state funds.

  • Add good evidence of attachments to India, such as a job, land, and family responsibilities, to persuade the visa officer that you will come back there after the visit.

  • Scan all documents well so as to make them readable and to prevent future delays by ensuring that the pages can be identified or read.

  • Any cover letter that you submit as part of a packet should be well written and not just a random statement about your travel purpose, duration, and your intention to go back to Indy on completion of your visit. This gives some background and gives sincerity.

With the proper observation of the rules mentioned above, you will be able to proceed with the visa process without major mistakes that would probably result in rejection.

Current Canada Tourist Visa for Indians — Latest Changes & News

Niagra falls Canada; Documents Required for Canada Tourist Visa from India - TerraTern

The current changes in the application procedure of the documents required for Canada tourist visa from India tend to be in accordance with the changing levels of security and verification so that its processing may be fair and smooth:

  1. Fingerprint and photograph biometrics are also mandatory, and all new applicants must provide them. This assists in verifying identity and also facilitates making future applications since the biometrics are useful within a 10-year period.

  2. Financial scrutiny is done more strictly, and hence they need to give more detailed proof of your financial ability to fund your travel, recent bank statements, tax records, and employment records.

  3. Depending on your intended trips, your background, or your duration of stay, you might be required to take medical tests and issue police clearance certificates as a way of proving that you are healthy and a clean person regarding your records.

  4. The fee of the visa application is 100 CAD with a biometrics charge of 85 CAD per individual, which will go into practice since July 2025.

  5. Visa officers are now strongly focusing on your previous travel record, the past visas and your experience with international travel, which determines your intentions and risk level.

  6. One should ensure the availability of the latest updates on documents, fees, etc., by regularly checking official websites (such as IRCC and VFS Global), as well as the latest guidelines on these sites before submitting their applications.

By being up to date with these changes, you will be able to work out a comprehensive application and not have an unpleasant surprise in the process of getting your visa.

Latest Updates, Facts & a Reader Hook (2025)

  • Canada’s visitor visa (TRV) for Indian citizens requires a detailed set of documents, with recent updates in document verification and biometric procedures.

  • Average visa processing time is around 30 days, but delays can occur, so apply well in advance.

  • Indian applicants must now provide biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) for their first-time application.

  • Visa application fees are CAD100; biometrics fee is CAD85 per applicant as of July 2025.

  • Most refusals occur due to incomplete documentation or lack of proof of ties to India.

  • Document requirements may change based on passport type, employment status, or if the applicant is a minor or of Indian origin residing overseas.

  • Financial proof is more strictly scrutinised since 2024; submit recent bank statements, ITRs, and employment proof.

  • Medical exams and police clearances may be requested depending on the stay duration or background.

  • Canada does not offer a visa-on-arrival for Indian citizens—applications must be pre-approved.

  • “Travel history,” including previous visas, enhances approval chances.

Planning a trip to Canada from India? Missing a single document could delay your dreams. Our detailed guide covers exactly what you need for smooth approval in 2025—down to the latest checklist!

 

Conclusion

It is important to prepare documents required for Canada tourist visa from India, in order to be approved without any hitch in 2025. Investigate your passport, financial evidence, documents, cover letter, and supporting documentation thoroughly, or you may not get in, or it may take a long time. Consider this list as a step-by-step checklist that you should look at before you send in your application.

Contact TerraTern for more information on the documents required for Canada Tourist Visa from India.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the mandatory documents for a Canada tourist visa from India?

You need a valid Indian passport, completed visa application forms, recent passport-sized photographs, proof of funds, a cover letter, and a detailed travel itinerary. Additional documents like proof of ties to India and a letter of invitation (if staying with family or friends) may also be required. Clear, legible copies of all documents must be submitted for smooth processing.

How much bank balance is required for a Canadian tourist visa?

There is no fixed amount, but it is recommended to show sufficient funds to cover your travel, stay, and return expenses. Typically, a balance showing at least INR 2-3 lakhs per person for a short visit along with regular transactions in your account strengthens your application. You should also provide ITRs and payslips to support your financial claims.

What is the processing time for a tourist visa from India to Canada?

The average processing time for a Canada tourist visa from India is around 30 days, but this can vary depending on the season, application volume, and individual background checks. It is advisable to apply at least 8 weeks in advance to avoid delays in your travel plans.

Can I get a Canadian tourist visa without an invitation letter?

Yes, you can apply for a Canada tourist visa from India without an invitation letter if you are travelling for tourism and will stay in hotels or travel independently. However, a letter of invitation can strengthen your application if you are staying with family or friends in Canada.

What is the success rate of Canadian visitor visa applications from India?

The success rate varies based on individual cases but is generally estimated around 65-70% for Indian applicants. Applications with complete documents, sufficient financial proof, and strong ties to India have a higher chance of approval.