Canada Visit Visa 2025: Complete List of Required Documents & Interview Questions

Planning to visit Canada in 2025 for tourism, family visits, or business? Pakistani citizens need a Canada Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) to enter Canada for up to 6 months. While most applicants don’t require an interview, about 10% may be called for one, especially if the application raises concerns.

Who Needs a Canada Visitor Visa?

• Pakistani Citizens: All Pakistanis need a Visitor Visa for tourism, family visits, or business, as Pakistan is not visa-exempt.
• Visa-Exempt Nationalities: Citizens of the US, UK, EU, and others don’t need a visa but may require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for air travel.
• Interview Requirement: Interviews are not mandatory but may be required for complex cases, incomplete documents, or to verify intent. In 2025, interviews are more common for Pakistani applicants due to high refusal rates (27% in 2023 for insufficient funds or weak ties).

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Canada Visitor Visa, you must:

• Have a valid passport (at least 6 months validity, 2 blank pages).
• Prove you’ll leave Canada after your visit (e.g., job, family, or property in Pakistan).
• Show enough money to cover your trip (no public funds allowed).
• Be in good health (medical exam may be required for stays over 6 months).
• Have no criminal record or immigration violations.

Required Documents

Submit these documents online via the IRCC portal (www.canada.ca) or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Pakistan:

• Passport: Valid for your entire stay, with 2 blank pages.
• Application Form: Completed IMM 5257 form (download from www.canada.ca).
• Photos: 2 recent passport-size photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background, taken within 6 months).
• Financial Proof: Bank statements (last 6 months, issued within 1 month) showing PKR 5,00,000–10,00,000 (~CAD 2,500–5,000) for a 30-day trip. Include payslips, tax returns, or property documents.
• Travel Itinerary: Return flight tickets, hotel bookings, or an invitation letter from a Canadian resident (with their ID, address, and status in Canada).
• Ties to Pakistan: Job letter, property deeds, or family documents (e.g., marriage/child certificates) to prove you’ll return.
• Purpose of Visit: Letter explaining your travel reason (tourism, family visit, business) and itinerary (e.g., visiting Toronto, Niagara Falls).
• Health Insurance: Recommended, covering CAD 100,000 for emergencies (not mandatory but strengthens your application).
• Additional Documents (if applicable):
  • For family visits: Proof of relationship and invitation letter.
  • For business: Invitation from a Canadian company, conference details.
  • For previous refusals: Explanation letter and new evidence addressing past issues.
• Translations: Non-English documents must be translated into English or French by a certified translator.

Note: Upload documents to the IRCC portal or submit at a VAC in Islamabad, Karachi, or Lahore. Originals may be requested during processing.

Visa Fees (2025)

• Visitor Visa Fee: CAD 100 (~PKR 20,000) per person, non-refundable.
• Biometric Fee: CAD 85 (~PKR 17,000) per person (required for ages 14–79).
• VAC Service Fee: ~PKR 2,000–5,000 for document submission or passport return.
• Payment: Pay online via credit/debit card or at a VAC. Keep the receipt for your interview or records.

Financial Requirements

• Minimum Funds: CAD 100–150 (~PKR 20,000–30,000) per day of stay, depending on whether you’re staying in a hotel or with family. For a 30-day trip, show CAD 3,000–4,500 (~PKR 6,00,000–9,00,000).
• Documents: Bank statements (stamped by the bank, showing consistent funds), payslips, or sponsor’s financial documents (if someone else is funding your trip).
• Note: Sudden large deposits raise suspicion. Use accounts with a stable balance.

Application Process

1. Complete Application: Fill out the IMM 5257 form on the IRCC portal (www.canada.ca). Answer all questions accurately.
2. Pay Fees: Pay CAD 100 (visa) + CAD 85 (biometrics) online or at a VAC.
3. Submit Documents: Upload documents to the IRCC portal or submit at a VAC in Pakistan.
4. Biometrics: Book an appointment at a VAC for fingerprints and photo (within 30 days of application).
5. Interview (if required): If summoned, attend at the Canadian High Commission in Islamabad or a VAC. Bring all original documents and copies.
6. Track Status: Check progress on the IRCC portal using your application number. Processing takes 4–12 weeks (faster with complete documents).
7. Decision: If approved, your passport will be stamped with the visa. If refused, you’ll receive a letter explaining why (e.g., insufficient funds, weak ties).

Interview Process (If Required)

• Who Needs It: About 10% of applicants, especially those with incomplete documents, prior refusals, or unclear intent. Interviews are held at the Canadian High Commission in Islamabad or VACs.
• Duration: 15–30 minutes.
• Purpose: To verify your travel purpose, financial stability, and intent to return to Pakistan.
• Location: Canadian High Commission (Islamabad) or VACs in Islamabad, Karachi, or Lahore.

Common Interview Questions and How to Answer

Here are common Canada Visitor Visa interview questions for Pakistani applicants, with tips and sample answers:

1. Why do you want to visit Canada?
   • Tip: Be clear, specific, and align with your application. Mention tourism, family, or business.
   • Sample Answer: “I want to visit Canada for a two-week vacation to explore Toronto and Niagara Falls. I’ve planned my itinerary and will return to my job in Pakistan.”
2. How long will you stay in Canada?
   • Tip: Provide exact dates and show a return ticket to prove temporary intent.
   • Sample Answer: “I plan to stay for 15 days, from July 1 to July 15, 2025, as shown in my return ticket.”
3. Who is paying for your trip?
   • Tip: Mention your funds or sponsor clearly. Match your bank statements or sponsor’s documents.
   • Sample Answer: “My trip is funded by my savings. I have PKR 7,00,000 in my bank account, as shown in my statements.”
4. Do you have family or friends in Canada?
   • Tip: Be honest. If yes, provide their details and clarify your visit’s purpose.
   • Sample Answer: “Yes, my cousin lives in Vancouver. I’ll stay with them for a week, as mentioned in their invitation letter.”
5. What do you do in Pakistan?
   • Tip: Highlight a stable job or business to show ties to Pakistan.
   • Sample Answer: “I work as a software engineer at XYZ Company in Lahore for 3 years, earning PKR 1,50,000 monthly.”
6. Do you have ties to Pakistan?
   • Tip: Emphasize job, family, or property to prove you’ll return.
   • Sample Answer: “Yes, I live with my parents in Karachi, own a house, and have a stable job I must return to.”
7. Have you been to Canada before?
   • Tip: Answer honestly. If yes, provide details of past visits.
   • Sample Answer: “No, this is my first visit. I’ve traveled to Dubai and followed visa rules.”
8. What is your financial situation?
   • Tip: Show proof of funds and avoid vague answers.
   • Sample Answer: “I have PKR 8,00,000 in savings, as shown in my bank statements, to cover my trip.”
9. Why did you choose Canada?
   • Tip: Mention specific attractions or family reasons, not vague answers.
   • Sample Answer: “I chose Canada to visit Niagara Falls and experience its diverse culture, which I’ve read about.”
10. What if you overstay your visa?
    • Tip: Reassure the officer you’ll leave on time with evidence like a job or return ticket.
    • Sample Answer: “I have no intention of overstaying. My job and family in Pakistan require me to return by July 15.”

Tips to Ace the Interview

• Prepare Documents: Organize originals and copies in a folder. Upload to IRCC 72 hours before the interview.
• Be Honest: False information leads to rejection or a ban. Match answers to your application.
• Practice Answers: Rehearse common questions in English to sound confident.
• Dress Professionally: Wear formal attire (e.g., business casual) to make a good impression.
• Arrive Early: Reach the High Commission or VAC 15–30 minutes early.
• Show Ties to Pakistan: Emphasize job, family, or property to prove you’ll return.
• Know Canada: Learn basic facts about Canada (e.g., provinces, culture) to show preparation.
• Avoid Scams: Use only www.canada.ca or VACs (e.g., VFS Global in Pakistan) for applications.
• Hire a Consultant: For complex cases (e.g., prior refusals), consult a licensed immigration expert like RCIC.

Why Interviews and Rejections?

Canada tightened visa rules in 2025 to prevent overstays and ensure genuine visitors. Pakistani applicants face high refusal rates (27% in 2023) due to insufficient funds, weak ties, or unclear intent. Interviews verify these factors, especially for high-risk profiles.

Why These Rules?

The Canadian government limits visitor visas to manage immigration and ensure compliance with temporary stay rules. Financial scrutiny increased in 2025 to confirm applicants can support themselves without public funds. Interviews help detect fraudulent intent, especially after a rise in overstays from certain countries.

By preparing complete documents, showing strong ties to Pakistan, and answering interview questions confidently, you can boost your chances of a successful Canada Visitor Visa application in 2025. For the latest updates, check www.canada.ca or contact VFS Global in Pakistan.