Visa Guide · 🇨🇦 Canada
Canada Visitor Visa - Compassionate Reasons from Bangladesh
Visitor Visa (TRV) for genuine temporary travel to Canada in serious or distressing personal circumstances, with most visitors admitted for up to 6 months.
Last Updated: 31 August 2026
Document Checklist
- Passport: Valid passport for the intended trip to Canada. Provide a clear colour copy of the biographical page and pages containing stamps, visas or other markings; IRCC currently advises the travel document should generally be valid for at least 6 months from the planned travel date.
- Previous Passport(s) & Travel History: Copies of previous passport(s), visas and relevant entry/exit records to support the applicant's travel history and ensure consistency with the information declared in the application. IRCC may consider travel evidence from the previous 10 years.
- IRCC Online Application, Forms & Personalized Checklist: Complete the Visitor Visa application through the appropriate IRCC account and upload all required documents. Applicants aged 18 or over must complete IMM 5645 (Family Information Form). Where applicable, also complete IMM 5257 SCH1 (Schedule 1) and any additional forms requested by IRCC, then pay the applicable fees.
- Cover Letter: Applicant's signed letter explaining the compassionate reason for travel, intended dates, person or circumstances involved, why the visit is needed, accommodation and trip funding. Any urgency should be explained clearly and remain consistent with the online application and supporting evidence.
- Compassionate Circumstances Evidence: Provide credible, case-specific evidence supporting the reason and timing of travel, such as current medical or hospital documentation, death-related records or other official evidence relevant to the stated circumstances. Documents should be clear, current and verifiable where possible.
- Relationship / Canadian Contact Evidence: Where relevant, provide documents showing the applicant's relationship or connection to the person concerned, together with a signed invitation/support letter and evidence of the inviter or host's legal status and contact details in Canada.
- Flight Reservation: Provisional flight itinerary/reservation showing travel dates, route and flight details, consistent with the planned schedule. IRCC accepts flight details as itinerary evidence; purchasing a non-refundable ticket before a decision is not necessary.
- Accommodation / Host Evidence: Evidence of where the applicant will stay in Canada, such as a hotel booking or the host's address and accommodation confirmation. The arrangement should cover the intended visit and remain consistent with the compassionate purpose and travel dates.
- Proof of Occupation: Documents confirming your current professional status and ties to your home country, such as employment certificates, leave approval, pay slips, salary statements, study evidence or business-related documents. These should be recent, consistent with your application and support your ongoing occupation and expected return after the visit.
- Employer / Study / Business Supporting Letter: Where applicable, provide a letter confirming the applicant's role or enrolment, salary or relevant status, length of employment or study, approved leave and expected continuation after the visit. For employed applicants, provide a recent employer letter on official letterhead with employment, salary and employer contact details, along with recent 6 months’ payslips to support ongoing employment and declared income.
- Business/Company Financial Evidence (where applicable): Self-employed applicants may provide recent business bank statements, ownership evidence and other records that help demonstrate active business operations, income and the source of funds used for the trip.
- Business Registration & Tax Records (where applicable): Relevant Trade License, Incorporation Certificate, company registration documents, TIN and Income Tax Return records may be included where they support the applicant's business status, income and ties to Bangladesh.
- Personal Bank Statements & Financial Evidence: Provide at least 6 months of personal and/or salary account details showing the account holder, balances, transaction history and bank contact information. Add other credible financial evidence where relevant to explain income, savings and the source and availability of trip funds.
- Personal TIN & ITR: Personal TIN certificate and recent Income Tax Return records may be included to support declared income, financial history and economic ties where relevant to the applicant's circumstances.
- Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh.
- Civil Status Documents: Marriage certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate, birth certificate or family-related documents where applicable, especially when they help explain family composition, accompanying travellers or ties outside Canada.
- Minor Applicant Documents: For applicants under 18, provide birth certificate, parental or legal guardian authorization where applicable, parent/legal guardian identification, relevant financial support evidence and custody or guardianship documents where required.
Process Roadmap
Step 1
Confirm the Compassionate Purpose & Visitor Requirements
Confirm that the visit is genuinely temporary and based on a serious or distressing circumstance. The applicant must still show sufficient funds, admissibility, credible ties outside Canada and an intention to leave after the visit.
Step 2
Apply Online & Select Compassionate Reasons
Complete the Visitor Visa application through the appropriate IRCC account, select the compassionate-reasons purpose and follow the personalized document checklist and form instructions.
Step 3
Upload Evidence, Pay the Fees & Submit
Upload the passport copy, compassionate-purpose evidence, relationship or host documents where relevant, and the required financial and occupation evidence. Pay CAD 100 plus biometrics where required, then submit online.
Step 4
Receive the BIL & Book a VAC Appointment
If biometrics are required, wait for the IRCC Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL), then book a Canada VAC appointment in Bangladesh and upload the BIL during booking as currently required by VFS. Appointment booking is free.
Step 5
Attend the VAC & Give Biometrics
Attend in person with the BIL and required identification to provide fingerprints and a photograph. The VAC transmits biometric information to IRCC but does not decide the visa application.
Step 6
IRCC Assesses the Application
IRCC reviews the application and may request additional documents, verification, medical examination or other information.
Step 7
Submit the Passport after IRCC Request
If IRCC issues a Passport Request Letter, book the required passport-submission appointment and submit the passport through a Canada VAC in Bangladesh. After return, check the visa details before travel; final admission and length of stay are decided by the Canada Border Services Agency at entry.
Common Rejection Pitfalls
The compassionate circumstances are not sufficiently evidenced
How UnivEase helps
We help organise the purpose statement and relevant medical, death-related or other supporting records so the circumstances and timing are presented clearly and consistently.
The applicant's relationship or need to travel is unclear
How UnivEase helps
We help identify relationship, invitation, host-status and supporting evidence that explains who is involved and why the proposed visit is personally relevant to the applicant.
The stated urgency does not align with the documents or travel plan
How UnivEase helps
We cross-check dates, medical or event-related evidence, proposed travel, accommodation and explanations so the timeline is coherent and avoids unsupported urgency claims.
Temporary intent, funds or return ties are under-explained
How UnivEase helps
We help balance the compassionate purpose with credible financial, employment, business, study and family evidence showing that the applicant still meets the normal temporary-resident requirements.
VFS & Embassy
Visa Application Centre
IRCC Visa Office
Frequently Asked Questions
Prepare your Canada Visitor Visa for compassionate reasons with greater clarity.
Get clear guidance on compassionate-purpose evidence, visitor requirements, funds, supporting documents, the IRCC online application, VFS biometrics, fees, processing time and passport-submission steps before you apply.
