How to Apply Canada Visit Visa from Pakistan (2026 Guide)

My cousin Sana got her Canada visit visa last year. Everyone in our family thought it was impossible. “Canada rejects Pakistanis,” they said. “You need connections,” they said.

She applied herself. No agent. No special connections. Just followed the proper process. Got approved in five weeks. When I asked her how she did it, she said: “I just did exactly what they asked. Nothing less, nothing more. No shortcuts, no lies.”

That’s what I’m going to tell you about how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan in 2026 the real process, honest advice, and what actually works. And if Canada isn’t your first choice, the same honest approach also works for Australia visit visas, where clear documents and genuine intent matter just as much.

Why People Want to Visit Canada

Before we get into how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan, let’s be real about why you’re reading this. Maybe you have family there. Your brother settled in Toronto. Your daughter lives in Vancouver. You haven’t seen them in years.

Maybe it’s work. A business conference. Meeting potential partners. Exploring opportunities. Maybe it’s tourism. You’ve seen those pictures of Niagara Falls, the Rocky Mountains, Toronto skyline. You want to see it yourself.

Or maybe and this is honest you’re thinking about going there permanently one day. This visit visa is your first step to see if you like it. Whatever your reason, understanding how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan properly is your first challenge. Let me help you with that.

What Even Is a Canada Visit Visa?

The official name is Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). But everyone just calls it a visit visa.

It’s basically permission from Canada to enter their country for a temporary period. You can visit family, see tourist spots, attend meetings – but you can’t work or study (not without separate permits).

The visa can be:

• Single entry: Use it once. When you leave Canada, it’s done.
• Multiple entry: Use it multiple times over 10 years (or until your passport expires). This is what most people get now.

When learning how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan, you’ll find the process is the same for both types. Canada decides which one to give you based on your profile.

Who Can Apply for a Canada Visit Visa from Pakistan?

Here’s the honest answer about how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan: anyone can try. But you need to show Canada a few things:

Valid passport

At least 6 months validity remaining. More is better because if you get a 10-year visa, your passport needs to last that long.

Clean background

No criminal record. No previous visa violations anywhere.

Money to support yourself

You need to prove you can afford your trip without working illegally in Canada.

Reason to come back

This is the big one. Canada wants to know you’ll return to Pakistan after your visit. More on this later.

My friend Rashid thought his low salary meant automatic rejection. But he showed strong family ties (married with kids), property ownership, and a solid job letter. Got approved.

It’s not about being rich. It’s about proving you have a life here that you’ll come back to.

The Real Cost (No Hidden Surprises)

Let me break down exactly what how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan will cost you in 2026:

Visa application fee: 100 CAD per person (about 40,000-42,000 PKR)

Biometric fee: 85 CAD per person (about 34,000-36,000 PKR)

Total official cost: 185 CAD per person (about 74,000-78,000 PKR)

For a family of four: roughly 296,000-312,000 PKR just in official fees.

Additional costs you might face

• Photos: 500-1,000 PKR
• Document translations: 5,000-15,000 PKR (if needed)
• Travel to biometric center: 2,000-10,000 PKR (depends where you live)
• Document courier (if using): 2,000-5,000 PKR

If you hire a consultant: add another 50,000-150,000 PKR depending on who you use.

My advice? Learn how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan yourself first. It’s not that complicated. Save the consultant money.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Canada Visit Visa from Pakistan

Alright, let’s get into the actual steps of how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan in 2026.

Step 1: Create Your Online Account

Everything is online now. No paper applications anymore (unless you’re Afghan or Indian citizen, different rules for them). Go to Canada’s official immigration website: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship

Click “Sign in with GCKey” and create an account. This account is where you’ll do everything apply, upload documents, check status.

Write down your username and password somewhere safe. My cousin forgot hers and spent two days trying to recover it. Don’t be like my cousin.

Step 2: Fill Out the Forms Carefully

The main form for how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan is IMM 5257 (Application for Temporary Resident Visa).

You’ll fill this online. It asks everything:

• Personal details
• Travel history (every country you’ve visited)
• Family information
• Work details
• Purpose of visit
• Where you’ll stay in Canada

Critical advice

Be accurate. Match everything exactly to your passport. If your passport says “Muhammad” but you write “Mohammed,” that’s a problem. My friend’s application got delayed because his birth date was wrong by one digit. Small mistake, big headache.

There’s also a family information form (IMM 5645) where you list all family members, even if they’re not traveling. Take your time. Double-check everything. Triple-check passport numbers.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents (The Make or Break Part)

This is where most people mess up how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan. Let me tell you exactly what you need:

Must Have Documents 

1. Valid passport

• Original plus photocopy of data pages
• Should have at least 6 months validity
• Tip: If renewing passport, do it before applying for visa

2. Passport photos

• 2 recent photos (last 6 months)
• Specific size: 35mm x 45mm
• White or light colored background
• No glasses, no smile, neutral expression
• Get them from professional photo studio, show them Canada visa specs

3. National ID card (CNIC)

• Copy of front and back
• Make sure it’s not expired

4. Proof of funds (Very Important)

• Bank statements from last 6 months
• Should show regular activity, not sudden large deposits
• Minimum balance: No official requirement, but aim for at least 15-20 lakh PKR
• If employed: salary slips from last 3-6 months
• If self-employed: business documents, tax returns

My uncle tried to deposit 30 lakh suddenly before applying. Visa officer saw right through it. Rejected. It’s better to show consistent balance over time.

5. Employment proof

• Job letter on company letterhead
• Should state: designation, salary, joining date, leave approval for your trip
• Company registration documents if possible

If you’re unemployed, get a letter from whoever is funding your trip.

6. Travel history

• Copies of previous visas
• Entry/exit stamps from other countries
• This shows you’ve traveled before and returned home properly

7. Purpose of visit documents

If visiting family:

• Invitation letter from your relative in Canada
• Their passport copy or PR card copy
• Their job letter and pay stubs (last 2-3 months)
• Proof they can financially support your visit

If tourism:

• Travel itinerary
• Hotel bookings (don’t buy non refundable tickets yet!)
• Explanation of places you want to visit

If business:

• Invitation from Canadian company
• Your business card and company profile
• Details of meetings scheduled

8. Ties to Pakistan (Super Important)

• Property documents (house, land ownership)
• Marriage certificate
• Children’s school documents
• Job contract
• Business ownership papers

This is how you prove you’ll come back. The stronger your ties, the better your chances when you apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan.

Translation Requirements

If any document is in Urdu, get certified English translation. Costs about 1,000-2,000 PKR per page.

Step 4: Pay the Fees Online

Once your application is complete, you’ll pay through the online portal. They accept debit/credit cards. You’ll get a payment receipt. Download it. Save it. You’ll need it for biometrics.

This is non-refundable, by the way. Even if rejected, you don’t get this money back. That’s why learning how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan correctly the first time matters so much.

Step 5: Submit and Wait for Biometric Instruction Letter

After submission, you’ll get a confirmation. Within a few days (usually 2-7 days), you’ll receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) in your account. This letter tells you to go give your fingerprints and photo.

Biometrics Appointment in Pakistan

Understanding how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan includes knowing about biometrics. Here’s what to expect:

Biometric centers in Pakistan

• Islamabad: Park Road, Chattha Bakhtawar
• Lahore: Queens Road (opposite Ganga Ram Hospital)
• Karachi: Bahria Complex IV, Main Khaliq-uz-Zaman Road

What to bring

• Original passport
• Biometric Instruction Letter (printed)
• Payment receipt
• Appointment confirmation (book online through VFS website)

What happens there

• They’ll verify your documents
• Take your photo (straight face, no smile)
• Scan all 10 fingerprints
• Whole process: 15-30 minutes

Cost: Already paid in your visa fee (the 85 CAD biometric charge).

My cousin said the staff was professional. Just be on time, bring correct documents, follow instructions. Simple.

How Long Does It Take?

When people ask how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan, they really want to know: how long until I get an answer?

Current processing times (2026)

• After biometrics: 10-35 working days typically
• Could be faster: 2-3 weeks if your case is straightforward
• Could be slower: 6-8 weeks during busy seasons (summer, December holidays)

Total timeline from application to decision: 4-8 weeks on average.

Factors that affect speed

• How complete your documents are
• Your travel history
• Time of year (summer is busier)
• Whether they need additional documents

My friend applied in November, got visa in 3 weeks. His brother applied in July, took 7 weeks. Same family, same documents. Just different timing.

Pro tip

Apply at least 2-3 months before your intended travel date. Don’t book expensive tickets until you have the visa.

What Happens After You Apply?

Understanding how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan includes knowing what happens during processing.

Stage 1: Application received

You’ll see this status online after submission. It means they got your application.

Stage 2: Biometric instructions issued

BIL arrives. You go give biometrics.

Stage 3: Application under review

This is the waiting stage. Visa officer is reviewing your case.

Stage 4: Decision made

You’ll get either:

• Passport request letter: Congratulations, you’re approved! Submit passport for visa stamp.
• Refusal letter: Sorry, application rejected with reasons given.

If approved, you’ll submit your passport to VFS center. They’ll stamp the visa and return it in 7-10 working days.

Common Reasons for Visa Rejection

Let me tell you the real reasons people fail when learning how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan:

1. Insufficient funds

Showing 500,000 PKR for a family trip that costs 15 lakh? Not convincing.

2. Weak ties to Pakistan

No job. No property. No family here. No reason to return. Instant red flag.

3. Fake or inconsistent documents

Using photoshopped bank statements. Exaggerating salary. They can tell. Always.

4. Unclear purpose

“I want to visit Canada” isn’t enough. Why? Which cities? Who are you meeting? Be specific.

5. Poor travel history

Never traveled anywhere, suddenly applying for Canada? Harder to trust.

6. Criminal record or past visa violations

Overstayed a visa somewhere? Deported before? They know. Be honest upfront.

7. Incomplete application

Missing documents. Forms not filled completely. Mistakes in passport numbers.

My neighbor got rejected because he didn’t include his wife’s job letter. Thought it didn’t matter since he was the main applicant. It did matter. Reapplied with her documents, got approved.

Tips to Increase Approval Chances

After helping multiple family members with how to apply Canada visit visa from Pakistan, here’s what I’ve learned works:

Show strong ties to Pakistan

Job contract? Include it. Own property? Include documents. Have dependent kids? Include their school enrollment.

Maintain good bank balance

Not sudden deposits. Regular salary credits. Normal spending. 6 months history showing you’re financially stable.

Travel history helps

Previously visited UAE, UK, Schengen countries? Show those visas. It proves you went, enjoyed, and came back.

Clear, genuine invitation letter

If someone in Canada is inviting you, their letter should be detailed. Not just “please come visit.” Say why, for how long, who’s paying, where you’ll stay.

Be honest

Don’t lie about employment. Don’t photoshop bank statements. Don’t hide a rejection from another country. They can verify everything.

Apply with family

Applying as a family (husband, wife, kids together) sometimes has better chances than applying alone. Shows you have responsibilities pulling you back.

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