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    Visa Guide · 🇨🇦 Canada

    Canada Visitor Visa - Marine Crew / Seafarer from Bangladesh

    Visitor Visa (TRV) for visa-required seafarers travelling to Canada by air or land to join a vessel as marine crew.

    Last Updated: 31 August 2026

    The Canada Visitor Visa, formally a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is used by visa-required seafarers, including Bangladeshi nationals, who travel to Canada by air or land to join a vessel as a marine crew member. IRCC lists "to join a vessel as a marine crew member (known as a seafarer)" as a specific Visitor Visa purpose, and the application should clearly establish the crew assignment, vessel, Canadian joining port and employment arrangements.

    A qualifying crew member generally does not need a work permit when working on a foreign-owned, non-Canadian-registered vessel engaged primarily in international transportation. Other marine work may require a work permit. Seafarers already arriving aboard a vessel and listed on the crew list generally do not need a visa or eTA; this page is for those travelling to Canada to join a vessel. Applications are normally submitted online to IRCC, followed by biometrics where required and passport submission only after an IRCC request. 

    Document Checklist

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Cover Letter: Applicant's signed letter explaining the marine crew / seafarer purpose, intended travel dates, vessel and Canadian joining port, employment details, travel arrangements, funding and relevant personal circumstances. The information should remain consistent with the online application and supporting evidence.
    5. Seaman's Book: Digital copy of the applicant's Seaman's Book, as specifically required by IRCC for applicants travelling to Canada to join a vessel as marine crew.
    6. Canadian Ship / Port Agent Invitation Letter: Digital copy of a signed invitation letter from the ship or port agent in Canada confirming the crew joining purpose and relevant vessel or port arrangements.
    7. Recruiter / Shipping Agency / Vessel Owner Introduction Letter: Digital copy of the introduction letter confirming the applicant's seafarer assignment and arrangements to join the vessel.
    8. Employment Contract: Digital copy of the seafarer's employment contract. Vessel, port, joining date, employer and crew details should remain clear and consistent across the supporting documents.
    9. 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.
    10. Hotel Reservation / Accommodation Booking: Booking confirmation covering intended stay dates, showing applicant name, accommodation name/address, check-in/out dates and booking reference; consistent with the itinerary.
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. 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.
    15. 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.
    16. 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.
    17. Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh.
    18. 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.
    19. 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 Seafarer Purpose & Work-Permit Position

    Confirm the applicant is joining a vessel as crew and whether the role qualifies for IRCC’s work-permit exemption. Eligible crew on foreign vessels used mainly for international transport generally do not need a work permit; other marine work may.

    Step 2

    Apply Online through the Appropriate IRCC Portal

    Complete the Visitor Visa application online through the IRCC Portal or other account directed by IRCC, select the marine crew / seafarer purpose and follow the personalized document checklist.

    Step 3

    Upload Evidence, Pay the Fees & Submit

    Upload the passport, Seaman's Book, Canadian ship/port-agent invitation, recruiter or vessel-owner introduction letter, employment contract and relevant travel, financial and background evidence. Pay CAD 100 plus the biometrics fee 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 upload the BIL as required and book a free appointment at a Canada VAC in Bangladesh.

    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 Seafarer Application

    IRCC reviews the crew purpose, joining evidence and temporary-entry requirements, and may request additional documents, verification or further information.

    Step 7

    Submit the Passport after IRCC Request

    If IRCC requests your passport, book a passport-submission appointment and submit it through a Canada VAC in Bangladesh. After return, verify the visa details before travel; CBSA decides final entry and authorized stay in Canada.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    The crew assignment does not clearly meet IRCC's seafarer criteria

    How UnivEase helps

    We help organise the vessel details, international-transport purpose, crew duties and joining evidence so the application clearly explains why the applicant is travelling to Canada as marine crew.

    Core crew-joining documents are missing or inconsistent

    How UnivEase helps

    We cross-check the Seaman's Book, ship or port-agent invitation, introduction letter and employment contract so the vessel, port, joining date, employer and crew details align.

    Travel and vessel-joining logistics are not credible

    How UnivEase helps

    We help align the flight itinerary, accommodation where applicable, port transfer, joining date and vessel arrangements so the travel plan is practical and consistent with the crew documentation.

    The wider temporary-resident requirements are not sufficiently supported

    How UnivEase helps

    We review the applicant's forms, travel history, financial and occupational evidence, previous immigration history and declarations so material facts are presented consistently alongside the seafarer purpose.

    VFS & Embassy

    Embassy

    High Commission of Canada, Dhaka
    Address: United Nations Road, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
    Telephone: +880 2 5566 8444
    Visa Queries: IRCC Web Form
    Website: Click Here
    Access: Services are generally by appointment
    Office Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 08:00-16:30; Thursday 08:00-13:30 

    Visa Application Centre

    Canada Visa Application Centres, Bangladesh
    Locations: Dhaka; Chittagong; Sylhet.
    Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 09:00-17:00 at all three centres.
    Appointments: Biometrics after a BIL; booking is free. Passport submission appointment required after IRCC requests the passport.
    Website: Click Here 

    IRCC Visa Office

    IRCC Visa Office Serving Bangladesh – Singapore
    Office: High Commission of Canada, Singapore
    Address: One George Street, #11-01, Singapore 049145
    Telephone: +65 6854 5900
    Visa & Immigration Email: singapore-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca
    Visa Queries: IRCC Web Form 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Prepare your Canada Visitor Visa for marine crew / seafarer with greater clarity.

    Get clear guidance on Seaman's Book, ship/port-agent invitation, employment contract, the IRCC online application, VFS biometrics, fees and passport-submission steps before you apply.

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