Find the right document checklist

Most visitor visa (TRV) refusals come down to a handful of concerns. Knowing them before you apply lets you answer each one up front.

• Weak ties to your home country - the officer is not satisfied you will return.
• Purpose of visit unclear or not credible - a vague reason or no itinerary.
• Insufficient or unexplained funds, or large deposits with no explanation.
• Limited travel history, or past overstays and refusals elsewhere.
• Family ties in Canada that appear to outweigh your ties at home.
• Inconsistent or incomplete documents that contradict your evidence.

A refusal is rarely about one document - it is the overall picture. Book a consultation.

A well-organized file is easier for an officer to review - and easier files tend to move faster with fewer requests for more information.

• Group documents by category: identity, purpose, finances, and ties.
• Use clear file names, e.g. Surname_Passport.pdf.
• Scan in colour, keep pages upright, and do not crop stamps or edges.
• Combine related documents into one logical PDF, not many loose images.
• Add a short cover or index letter listing what is enclosed.
• Translate anything not in English or French; use certified translations where required.

Our checklists are a starting point; a consultation confirms exactly what your case needs. Book a consultation.

Your letter is where you tell the officer, in your own words, why you are travelling and why you will return. A focused letter can clear up doubts before they become a refusal.

• State who you are, the purpose of the trip, and your exact travel dates.
• Explain your ties at home - job, business, family, property, or studies.
• Say who is paying and how, matching your financial documents.
• If visiting someone, name them, your relationship, and where you will stay.
• Keep it honest, specific, and consistent with the rest of your application.
• Be concise - one page is usually enough; attach proof rather than making claims.

We help clients write letters that read cleanly and line up with their evidence. Book a consultation.

Ties are the reasons an officer believes you will return home after your visit or studies. Strong, documented ties are often the difference between an approval and a refusal.

• Employment - a letter with position, salary, length of service, leave, and return date.
• Business ownership - registration, financials, and your role.
• Family - dependants, a spouse, or parents who rely on you and remain at home.
• Property and assets - ownership or lease documents, vehicles, investments.
• Studies you will return to.
• Any ongoing obligations that anchor you at home during and after the trip.

Ties are about the whole picture, not a single letter. Book a consultation.

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) asks ESDC to confirm that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market. Incomplete files are a common cause of delay or refusal.

• A genuine job offer with a detailed description, correct NOC/TEER, hours, and location.
• A wage at or above the applicable median for the occupation and region.
• Proof of recruitment - advertising (including Job Bank) and a recruitment report.
• A transition plan for high-wage positions, where required.
• Business legitimacy documents - registration, financials, T4 summary, and payroll.
• Accurate attestations and the ability to meet employer compliance conditions.

Employer files reward preparation - reach out before you advertise. Book a consultation.

Acting early protects your status and your ability to keep working. Waiting too long can force you into restoration - or out of status entirely.

• Check your expiry date now and count backwards - apply well before it ends.
• Applying before expiry generally lets you keep working under maintained status.
• Confirm you still meet the conditions of your permit (employer, occupation, location).
• Gather updated documents - job letter, contract, and any new LMIA or exemption proof.
• If your PR application is in process, check whether a bridging open work permit applies.
• If your permit has already expired, you may have 90 days to restore status - act immediately.

Timing is everything with status - do not wait if your permit is close to expiring. Book a consultation.