How much money is needed for a visitor visa to Canada?

There are many components required to prepare a successful application for a visitor visa to Canada , but one aspect that we are asked about most frequently is “How much bank balance is required for Canada visitor visa?”

The correct answer to that question depends on many factors, including your purpose in visiting Canada, the number of people who will be accompanying you, and how long you plan to stay. These factors will be different for each and every applicant.

Applying for a visitor visa to Canada requires that the applicant demonstrate to the Canadian government that they have sufficient funds to accomplish their stated purpose in visiting Canada, plus a sufficient bank balance to take care of themselves when they return to their home country after the visit.

How much money is needed for Canada tourist visa?

To start to answer this question, the applicant needs to consider the following various factors:

• Cost of travel to and from Canada
• Cost of travel within Canada (car rental, bus or train tickets, etc)
• Cost of accommodation in Canada
• Cost of planned activities in Canada
• Cost of travel / health insurance (if applicable)
• Cost to maintain myself in Canada – food, cell phone, internet, etc.

When the amount of each of these factors is known, it then becomes possible to multiply the costs by however many family members that you intend to accompany you on your trip, and a realistic estimate of the budget needed for your trip to Canada will become apparent. This is the minimum amount of available cash that you should plan to prove as part of your TRV application for Canada.

How to prove my funds for a visit to Canada?

Once the approximate costs of your travel to Canada are identified, the next question to ask is “Who is paying for my trip to Canada?” In many cases, relatives or friends in Canada have extended an invitation and you may be staying with them during your visit – which usually means that you won’t be paying for accommodation while on your trip. Internal transportation and food expenses may be minimal as well with this type of scenario. If this is the case, ensure that you clearly identify within your application who is going to provide financial support for which portion of your travel expenses, and also provide financial documents that prove that whoever is responsible has the necessary means available to carry out the plan.

On your part, to provide evidence of a sufficient bank balance, you need to provide a recent bank statement that clearly lists your name, the bank details, the date and the funds that are available for your trip. One of the things that you absolutely should not do is borrow money from friends and family in order to stuff your bank account to show a higher balance than you actually have. The Canadian immigration officers who will be deciding on your application are aware of local wage rates and the cost of living where you reside. If you present a bank statement with a large balance that does not reflect your actual ability to earn and save, considering your occupation and the local cost of living – you should expect to receive a request to submit your past 6 months of bank statements. If there are large recent deposits showing in your account that are unusual considering your history of savings, you can expect a refusal of your application because the source of your funds is not clear. The immigration officer will not be satisfied that your financial situation demonstrates that you can afford to visit Canada.

Do I need proof of funds for visitor visa Canada?

Not every applicant will need proof of funds to successfully obtain a visitor visa to Canada. The important thing is to show that funds are available, even if they are not your own. If someone else has committed to paying for your trip, ensure that fact is clearly outlined in the visitor visa application. You will need to prove the identity of the person paying, how they are related to you, and then demonstrate their own funds by means of their bank statements, income (tax returns), employment details and proof of assets in Canada, such as house, vehicle, etc.

What else is important when applying for a visitor visa to Canada?

Proof of funds is an important aspect when applying for a visitor visa to Canada, but it’s not the only factor that is considered by the visa officer. The reason for your travel to Canada as well as your situation in your home country are equally important. The Canadian immigration officer will carefully consider your standard of living in your home country as well as your history of employment. It needs to be abundantly clear that you have a comfortable life in your current country of residence and that you will leave Canada to resume your normal life once your visit to Canada is finished. It’s up to you as the applicant to provide evidence within your application package that demonstrates your current lifestyle is comfortable. Don't expect the visa officer to send you a request to provide additional documentation after you have submitted your application. If you don't provide enough evidence, you will simply receive a refusal.

The Way Immigration has been preparing successful TRV applications for Canada since 2008, with a track record of thousands of approvals.  We would be happy to discuss your plans to visit to Canada and offer out expertise to prepare your application for the greatest chances of success. Book an appointment with  our office today, and move one step closer to the Canadian adventure you have been dreaming of.